Beetlejuice Fun Facts

Thanks to its bonkers blend of comedy and horror, Beetlejuice became an instant hit with audiences when it was released on March 30, 1988—and even more so in the nearly 40 years since, as younger viewers have discovered it on television, DVD, and streaming.

With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, its long-awaited sequel, now in theatres, there has never been a better time to give this screwball ’80s classic a rewatch. Below, we’re looking back at some fun facts about the cult fave that started it all.

1. Sammy Davis Jr. was Burton’s first choice for Beetlejuice.

   
   

2. His name is from a star! – Beetlejuice’s name comes from the star “Betelgeuse,” a real star located in the constellation Orion.

   
   

3. Michael Keaton improvised! – Michael Keaton, who plays Beetlejuice, improvised a lot of his lines and helped create the character’s wild personality. He was only on screen for about 17 minutes but made a huge impact!

   
   

4. Michael Keaton didn’t know what Beetlejuice was about at first! – When he was offered the role, Keaton wasn’t sure what kind of movie it was, but once he worked with Tim Burton on the character, he came up with the zany costume and personality that became iconic.

   
   

5. It became a Broadway musical! – Decades after the movie came out, Beetlejuice was turned into a successful Broadway musical in 2019, with a fun, updated twist on the original story.

   
   

6. Beetlejuice’s makeup was intense! – Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice makeup took over two hours to apply each day. His wild, messy look helped create the chaotic personality of the character.