I Rewatched "Beetlejuice" As An Adult, And I Swore I Thought This Was A Family Film

2 weeks ago 2

The Maitlands' neighbor can go to hell.

It goes without saying that the original 1988 Beetlejuice is a classic for a reason. The cast does the most, the production and costume design are some of the best in the business, and the score is simply iconic.

Geena Davis sits beside a decaying humanoid figure in a scene from "Beetlejuice."

So, since the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is out now, I figured it would be wise to watch the original film all the way through for the first time as an adult. So grab some cockroaches to snack on (IYKYK) and rewatch the film with me below:

1. Oh, this music composer is going for it. It’s Danny Elfman, isn’t it? Of course, it is. Those woodwinds are working hard.

"Music composed by Danny Elfman" text over a small-town scene with roads, buildings, and a mail truck

2. Look at this house model; she’s so cute… Oh, fuck that, there’s a spider. AND ADAM'S HOLDING IT? Absolutely not. Wait… did he just THROW the spider out the window with nowhere to land? Is this spider Spider-Man? RIP, little guy. (At least the view from the window looks nice?)

Alec Baldwin in a plaid shirt cups their hands together while looking out a window at a rural landscape with a church and trees in the distance

3. Aw, Geena Davis!! And she gave her husband a “vacation” present? Wait, did they both give each other vacation presents?? Am I supposed to give my significant other a vacation present?

Geena Davis gives a small gift with a pink ribbon to Alec Baldwin in a cozy indoor scene

4. Oh, they're so cute and playful together. Is their relationship dynamic extremely healthy, or is it just me?

Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, one in plaid and glasses and one in floral-patterned attire, are joyfully playing or interacting while seated in a room that contains a model village

5. Okay, who is Jane? Do we like Jane? Was Jane the one who was calling?

Geena Davis talking to actress who plays Jane in "Beetlejuice" speaks to a woman through a small window in a door in a cozy kitchen setting

6. Did she just say this house is too big for Barbara and Adam because they don’t have children??? Oh, hell no. Jane can suck it. AND SHE GOES AROUND THE HOUSE TO TALK TO ADAM? Let me fight her.

Alec Baldwin inspects a small item inside a workshop while his mother, Jane, looks concerned and presses her hands against the window

7. Okay, now that Jane is finally gone, let’s get back to this cute couple. I’ve never seen a couple so happy to do errands together.

Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis sit in the front seats of a yellow car, the man driving and the woman looking at him. The man wears a checkered shirt. Their expressions seem calm

8. Oh, this town is so cute… wait, did anyone notice a rogue dog just… walking across the street like he’s about to buy bread from the store? Where’s this dog’s owner?

An elderly man in overalls and a red cap looks at a small dog running down a suburban street. A metal sculpture and gardening tools are nearby in "Beetlejuice"

9. Oh wow, Adam just left Bill hanging… and Bill just kept on talking. #justiceforbill

An elderly person sits outside a store while two firefighters push a fire truck uphill in "Beetlejuice"

10. Again with this damn dog! Where is his owner? Is he the mayor of this town?

A red-covered bridge with a "Come Back Again Soon" sign at the entrance. A small skunk is walking on the bridge's path in "Beetlejuice"

11. Oh my god, Barbara almost hit the dog! And the dog didn’t freak out at all? And he left Barb and Adam to die? What is going on?

A small dog crosses a narrow wooden plank in an industrial or warehouse setting. The dog appears to be balancing carefully in "Beetlejuice"

12. Signs you’re dead #1: A fireplace burning out of nowhere. Wait... BARBARA BURNING OUT OF NOWHERE.

Alec Baldwin with glasses, wearing a plaid shirt, and Geena Davis with curly hair, in a floral blouse, stare amazed at her glowing fingers

13. OKAY, that transition from the house to Saturn was incredibly cool — but ADAM WAS GONE FOR TWO HOURS? Barbara, girl, are you okay??

A single ring lies on a rocky surface in the center of the image, casting a long shadow on Alec Baldwin

14. Signs you’re dead #2: no reflection.

Warner Bros.

Signs you’re dead #3 Handbook for the Recently Diseased..ahem..Deceased appears.

15. Oh, here comes Betelgeuse. Look at him engaging in some self-care while he reads the newspaper. There are a few candles, a large liquor bottle, and an ashtray filled with cigarette butts. The ‘80s version of self-care.

Various lit candles, some with melted wax drippings, surround an open bottle and scattered wrappers on a dark surface

16. Why are Barbara and Adam cleaning their home even after they’re dead? WHY IS JANE SHOWING UP TO THEIR HOUSE? Oh, Jane finally sold the house.

A "Sold" sign in front of a white, multi-story house with a distinctive tower and cows grazing nearby. The sign reads "For Sale by Jane Butterfield Real Estate." in "Beetlejuice"

17. “You’re finally going to be able to cook a decent meal.” Oh, this man wants to die.

Jeffery Jones wearing a cardigan and Catherin O'Hara with red hair, makeup, and a dark outfit are standing together

18. “A little gasoline, a blowtorch. No problem.” I will steal this phrase to answer all of my life problems. Thank you very much.

Catherine O'Hara with red hair, earrings, and a dark V-neck top stands indoors, looking upward

19. Why is this man coming through the window of their home?

Catherine O'Hara and Glenn Shadix standing by a window. She is smiling and looking at him. They are in a scene from a film

20. “Charles. I will not stop living and breathing art just because you need to relax. I’m here with you. I will live with you in this hell hole, but I must express myself. If you don’t let me GUT OUT THIS HOUSE AND MAKE IT MY OWN, I WILL GO INSANE, AND I WILL TAKE YOU WITH ME.” How do I get this whole thing crocheted on a pillow??

Catherine O'Hara in a black dress and long earrings stands beside Glenn Shadix in a suit and bolo tie, both looking into a room

21. Oh, these sandworms do NOT like the Maitlands. Can we please get Jane on Saturn instead?

The image shows a large, sandworm-like creature with several mouths open wide against a blue sky background in "Beetlejuice"

22. "My whole life is a Darkroom. One. Big. Dark. Room.” Another quote for the throw pillows.

Winona Ryder is dressed in a black lace veil, partially obscuring her face, in a scene from "Beetlejuice."

23. Oh, snap, Lydia spots the ghosts…

Winona Ryder in a wide-brimmed hat holds a camera, looking upward. She has a solemn expression and pale makeup

24. OMG IS JANE BACK??? “[The Maitlands] were family. I was devastated.” Jane is really testing me. Also, do she and her daughter wear the same outfits in every scene? First, the black and white outfits, and now these yellow and blue numbers? Let your child be their own person, Jane!!

Jane and a child in a car are talking to Winona Ryder wearing a large hat. They appear to be having an animated conversation

25. Oh, Betelgeuse returns to the chat: “I’ll eat anything you want me to eat. I’ll swallow anything you want me to swallow. So come on down. I’ll chew on the dog.” Okay!! So, we agree the dog is a murderer, right??

Betelgeuse on TV screen, wearing a hat and a jacket, advertising himself as "the afterlife's leading Bio-exorcist."

26. Of course, the Neitherworld has its own DMV. Also, Miss Argentina is one of the best-designed side characters in film history.

Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin speak to a green-skinned, Miss Argentina with fins at an information desk in a futuristic setting from the movie "Earth Girls Are Easy."

27. Okay, caseworker Juno, why did you tell the Maitlands not to say Betelgeuse's name BUT then tell them EXACTLY how to contact him?? Juno, what are you thinking??? And then, when the Maitlands ask how they can contact YOU, you just DISAPPEAR while smoking a cigarette? Oh, you’re a full-blown baddie. Bravo.

Sylvia Sidney with short hair, wearing pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and a suit, looks into the distance. The setting appears to be dimly lit

28. LYDIA, why are you taking photos of “the Deetz” after they did the deed??? This isn’t art, honey!! And why are you taking so many pictures of them if it actually was them??

Winona Ryder is holding a Polaroid camera up to their face, seemingly taking a picture. The setting appears dark and moody, suggesting a suspenseful or eerie atmosphere

29. I love that we’re at the halfway point of the movie, and we finally get a clear picture of Betelgeuse — and he’s already making moves on "Babs." At least he asked Adam if he was overstepping his bounds AFTER kissing his wife.

A scene from Beetlejuice featuring the characters Adam Maitland, Beetlejuice, and Barbara Maitland in conversation

30. Does Betelgeuse have toxic ex-boyfriend energy??? “Come on. Just come up for a while. We’ll talk inside. The house is a mess — don’t pay attention to it! I’LL FIX YOU SOMETHING TO EAT!” Michael Keaton just wants to be loved!!

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice grips Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, who are looking at each other. Geena is wearing a floral dress, and Alec is in a plaid shirt

31. WHY IS OTHO SO MEAN??? “You know what they say about people who commit suicide? In the afterlife, they become Civil Servants.” Ohhh, I guess that's what happened to Miss Argentina.

An actress and Glenn Shadix, dressed in formal attire, are seated at a table engaged in conversation, with drinks and shrimp cocktail in front of them

32. The more I watch Beetlejuice and see Delia Deetz have a nervous breakdown, the more I realize I have become her as an adult. Is this what adulthood is???

Catherine O'Hara is sitting at a table with a surprised expression, with food and drinks in front of her

33. Juno told them to use their strengths, and the Maitlands delivered this iconic "haunting" music scene!! These ghosts are learning!! But the Deetzes are more entertained than scared.

Group of people having dinner at an elegant table. Catherine O'Hara stands with arms raised, while others are seated and smiling. The setting looks theatrical and dramatic

34. Excuse me?? What did Delia’s agent say?? “I have consistently lost money on her work for years.” “Delia, you are a flake. You have always been a flake. If you insist on frightening people, do it with your sculptures.” GO STRAIGHT TO JAIL, SIR.

Dick Cavett speaks with Catherine O'Hara, who wears a dark outfit with large earrings. A person in a shiny dress is in the background

35. “You got to take the upper hand in all situations, or people, whether they’re dead or alive, will WALK ALL OVER YOU.” GO, DELIA, GO. TAKE YOUR POWER BACK!!

Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and Glenn Shadix are close together, appearing to be engaged in a conversation or scene

36. IS THAT A GIANT BETELGEUSE SNAKE??

A close-up of a monstrous creature from the movie Beetlejuice, with large eyes, sharp teeth, and a serpent-like body, holding a wooden object

37. Well, I wasn’t expecting a family film to have a scene with “adult entertainment” yet. Here. We. Are. At least the Inferno Room has air conditioning.

The image shows Betelgeuse silhouetted in front of a brightly lit, carnival-themed building labeled “Dante’s Inferno Room” with neon signs reading “Girls Girls Girls.”

38. OMG, they found Juno again — maybe she can fix this shit show. Oh… SHE was the one who thought of the brothel?? And she’s telling the Maitlands they screwed up. Lady, if you didn’t tell them how to CALL Betelgeuse in the first place, we wouldn’t be here! I think Juno needs to take a vacation — maybe a home vacation?? Too soon?

Sylvia Sidney with a formal outfit and pearl necklace sits at a desk holding papers, surrounded by people in football uniforms

39. “I know just as much about the supernatural as I do about interior design.” YOU KNOW NOTHING OTHO SNOW.

Jeffery Jones, dressed in a light shirt and dark sunglasses, poses with Glenn Shadix and Catherine O'Hara, who are also wearing sunglasses, seated on white chairs outdoors

40. Wait, why is Lydia writing the letter?? Did that snake cause her to feel this way? Was it because she almost lost her dad? She seemed angry at Adam and Barbara!

Lydia Deetz writes on a notebook with a pen. Text is barely legible. Two small containers are on the desk

42. LYDIA. Didn’t your parents teach you not to talk to strange men in front of brothels???? Get away from Betelgeuse, young lady!

Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in a gothic outfit, standing next to a figure near a sign reading "GIRLS" in a scene from the movie "Beetlejuice."

43. Didn’t the dad come all the way to Connecticut to rest?? And now he’s pitching to his boss?? Is this what Delia has to deal with? Absolutely not.

Jeffery Jones in a suit and striped tie gestures while standing next to a model of a town and a large map in an interior setting

44. NOOO, Adam and Barbara are dying… again!! And now Lydia has to get married to the stranger she met in front of the brothel to save them.

Two ghostly figures in formal attire float eerily above a table in a haunted-looking room. The scene is dimly lit and has a spooky ambiance from "Beetlejuice"

45. I swore I remembered Betelgeuse and Lydia knowing each other for a much longer period of time before getting married — but they literally just met!!

Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton, gestures with a finger raised, while Lydia, played by Winona Ryder, looks at him in confusion, dressed in red

46. Yesssss!! Barbara coming in to save the day! #womengetshitdone

Geena Davis is looking down through a large hole in the ceiling, standing on top of a creature with large eyes and spiky scales

47. OMG, are Adam and Barbara co-parenting Lydia now? Which means they consider Lydia to be their child??!! #SuckitJane

Alec Baldwin examines papers near Winona Ryder and Geena Davis standing on a staircase. Ryder looks up at Baldwin; Davis wears a floral dress

48. OH, there’s a new book — ahem — magazine: The Living and the Dead: Harmonious Lifestyles and Peaceful Co-Existence. And, of course, it’s by the same author.

Warner Bros.

AND DELIA gets to be a famous artist??? *Chef kiss*

49. Wait… what is Betelgeuse up to?? Oh, just him harassing women again.

a blue-skinned person in a red sequined outfit seated next to a disheveled Michael Keaton with wild hair wearing a torn suit and fishnet stockings

50. Let’s go back to the house because Lydia is finally HAPPPYYYY!!! What a perfect way to end this movie!!

Winona Ryder stands on stairs, dressed in a dark outfit with a blue plaid skirt, with ghostly football players in the background

Have you seen Beetlejuice? Tell us what you think of the movie in the comments below.

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