The long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice made its grand debut at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a warm reception from the audience. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which has been 36 years in the making, premiered on Wednesday night to an enthusiastic standing ovation, signaling a triumphant return for Burton to the horror-comedy genre that helped define his early career.
The world premiere saw the audience on their feet for nearly four minutes, applauding as the cast took their bows from the balcony. Tim Burton, accompanied by his girlfriend Monica Bellucci, led the team off the stage, followed by stars Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega. Warner Bros. executives Pam Abdy and Michael DeLuca also received congratulations as they exited, with Abdy expressing gratitude to Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera for hosting the event.
Critics have largely embraced Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, celebrating it as a return to form for Burton after several years of what he described as disillusionment with the film industry. In his review, David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised Burton’s ability to “find new life in death,” with the help of stars Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, both reprising their iconic roles from the original film. Rooney noted the director’s rediscovery of “the ghoulish mischief of his glory days,” even jotting down, “Tim Burton’s back!” multiple times during the screening.
The reception has been similarly positive across various outlets. The BBC called the sequel a “gleefully zany farce packed with knock-out punchlines and great practical effects,” while Empire magazine highlighted Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice, proclaiming that “Michael Keaton has never been Beetlejuicier.” However, not all reviews were glowing; The Guardian offered a rare critique, describing the film as “full of gaudy set-pieces” but ultimately lacking the freshness of the original.
Speaking before the premiere, Burton admitted that making Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had reinvigorated him after a period of feeling disconnected from the movie industry. “I got a little bit disillusioned with the movie industry, [I sort] of lost myself,” he shared. The positive response from Venice, however, suggests that Burton has found his footing once again.
Warner Bros. has high hopes for the film, which is already projected to open as high as $80 million at the domestic box office when it hits theaters on September 6. If the reaction at the Venice Film Festival is any indication, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could very well be one of the biggest hits of the year, marking a successful return for both Burton and his beloved characters.
