Summary
Beetlejuiceand Netflix have had some intriguing overlap since the media company’s introduction, and their dynamic continues to expand nearly 30 years later through connections toBeetlejuice 2’s cast. While it’s been over 36 years since Tim Burton’s horror-comedyBeetlejuicepremiered in theaters, the enthusiasm and love for the cult classic has persisted throughout the many changes in the industry and Burton’s own career. WithBeetlejuice Beetlejuicebeing released on July 19, 2025, the long-delayed sequel expands on the franchise with new advances and cultural changes since 1988.
ThoughBeetlejuicepremiered a decade before Netflix began life as a DVD mailing service, the franchise and media company have maintained an interesting connection since 1988. After cementing a record during the early days of Netflix’s physical media-based inception,Beetlejuice’s link has been strengthened since Netflix transformed into a successful streaming service and production company. In a curious reversal,Beetlejuiceplayed an important role in Netflix’s initial launch in 1998, while Netflix is now playing an indirect role in launching the 2024 sequeldue to overlap withBeetlejuice 2’s castand crew.
Beetlejuice Was The Very First DVD Shipped By Netflix In 1998
Beetlejuice Was Netflix’s First Rental As A DVD Mail Service
Netflix was officially founded in August 1997 with its DVD-by-mail movie rental program. The company created its streaming service in 2007, and started producing original content in 2012.
Beetlejuice 2’s Major Cast & Crew Members Found Success On Netflix Before The Sequel
Would Beetlejuice 2 Have Happened In 2024 Without Netflix’s Most Popular TV Shows?
Two of Netflix’s biggest TV shows of all time arguably have theBeetlejuicefranchise to thank for a portion of their popularity.Beetlejuicewas the breakout role of Winona Ryder, who was the biggest A-list actor to joinStranger Thingsseason 1, with the success of this show helping to boost Netflix’s original content.Ryder’s role as Lydia Deetz inBeetlejuicemade her one of the most iconic teen actors of the 1980s, with the nostalgia of this role and her continued appeal helping to boost the impact of herStranger Thingscasting and the show’s 1980s cultural homages.
From Netflix supporting Jenna Ortega’s breakout and the resurgences of Winona Ryder and Tim Burton’s career popularity, it can be argued that Beetlejuice 2 finally happening has Netflix to partially thank.
Meanwhile, after over a decade of being movies that were largely box office duds, critically panned, or both,Tim Burton’s comeback officially happened when he signed on to direct and executive produce Netflix’sWednesdayshow. AlongsideStranger Things,Wednesdayis one of Netflix’s most popular and successful properties, and Tim Burton’s name gave the anticipation for theAddams Familyspinoff show a major boost. ConsideringWednesdayalso features clever nods toBeetlejuiceand Tim Burton’s other classic ‘80s and ‘90s movies, it’s clear that his early filmography has a significant influence on the show’s filmmaking approach and design.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Screenwriters
Wednesday
While she wouldn’t be born for well over a decade afterBeetlejuice’s 1988 release,Jenna Ortega rose to fame for her horror roles, particularly the titular role onWednesday, prior to being cast inBeetlejuice 2. Jenna Ortega is now one of the biggest names attached toBeetlejuice 2other than the returning original stars, and her widespread popularity skyrocketed after beingcast in Tim Burton’sWednesdayshow. From Netflix supporting Jenna Ortega’s breakout and the resurgences of Winona Ryder and Tim Burton’s career popularity, it can be argued thatBeetlejuice 2finally happening has Netflix to partially thank.
Beetlejuice 2 Is A Way Bigger Wednesday Reunion Than Just Tim Burton & Jenna Ortega
Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton are reuniting for Beetlejuice 2, with more notable figures from the Netflix series also joining the sequel.
Beetlejuice 2’s Connections To Netflix Make The Original Movie’s Record More Heartwarming
Beetlejuice & Netflix’s Popularity Have Endured For Decades
Netflix may not be directly involved inBeetlejuice 2, but their overlap makes the fact that Tim Burton’s 1988 movie was an important part of the company’s origins more meaningful. WhileBeetlejuicepremiered in 1988 and Netflix sent its first DVD in 1998, both are still massively successful and influential in pop culture today. It’sincredible to see thatBeetlejuiceand Netflix have separately endured for so long in the cultural conscience, yet they keep finding overlap as time goes on.
AfterBeetlejuicebecame the first DVD Netflix shipped, the movie’s cast and crew finding later success on Netflix prior toBeetlejuice 2feels like the company is paying back the favor.
Additionally, as theBeetlejuicefranchise and Netflix model stand today, both appear quite different from their original products.Beetlejuiceand Netflix have adjusted with the times while still maintaining much of what underscored their original appeals, and have even indirectly come together through both of their successes. AfterBeetlejuicebecame the first DVD Netflix shipped, the movie’s cast and crew finding later success on Netflix prior toBeetlejuice 2feels like the company is paying back the favor.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Beetlejuice, 36 Years Later
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a widely adored ’80s horror comedy classic with a sequel on the way, but a few flaws show up on a rewatch today.
Netflix’s Streaming Changes Mean It Can’t Fulfill A Huge Full-Circle Moment With Beetlejuice 2
Netflix Can’t Be The First Service Where Beetlejuice 2 Is Streamed
ThoughBeetlejuiceand Netflix now have quite a bit of overlap, they’ll sadly miss an opportunity to come full circle from their origins to reflect the industry’s move to streaming. Similar to howBeetlejuice’s Netflix order highlighted the rise of the popularity of DVDs, itwould have been interesting to see Netflix becomeBeetlejuice 2’s first streaming hometo emphasize the popularity of this new medium. However, given the rise of new streaming services after Netflix’s success,Tim Burton’sBeetlejuice 2is expected to hit a different platform when it finally comes to this medium.
Tim Burton’s Horror With 86% On RT Is Now Streaming On Max & It’s Perfectly Timed
Beetlejuice is now available to stream, and with the sequel just about to be released, it’s coming at the perfect time for fans of Burton’s horror.
Instead of Netflix, thefirst streaming home ofBeetlejuice 2will likely be Max, as the film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. WhileBeetlejuice 2could finally come to Netflix at a later time, there’s no telling how long it will be before the upcoming horror-comedy can be available on this streaming service. Despite being the company’s first rental, it’s unclear whether the originalBeetlejuicehas ever been available for streaming on Netflix, which brings down the likelihood of Tim Burton’s sequel hitting the streamer anytime soon after its theatrical release.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist”, an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they pass into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.
