Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice delivered a huge opening day, earning $41.5 million across 4,575 locations on Friday, making it the second-largest September debut ever, behind It (2017). This also marks Burton’s biggest career opener, surpassing Alice in Wonderland.
The film, a sequel to the 1988 cult classic, has drawn in both nostalgic fans and new audiences. Featuring returning stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, alongside fresh faces like Jenna Ortega, it’s projected to have a massive $97 million weekend. Given its family-friendly, spooky vibe, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is expected to have lasting appeal, especially as Halloween approaches.
Positive reviews have praised the film’s playful yet eerie tone, though the B+ CinemaScore hints at some mixed reactions from early audiences. The momentum, however, continues for Warner Bros., marking a welcome success after underwhelming summer releases. The film also dominates Imax and premium large-format screens, further boosting its revenue.
In contrast, A24’s horror film The Front Room opened to a lackluster $1.5 million, with a C- CinemaScore, failing to break into the top five. Meanwhile, Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine continues its box office reign, securing second place after adding $1.7 million on Friday, inching toward becoming one of the top 15 highest-grossing domestic releases.
Other notable releases include Reagan and Alien: Romulus, both holding steady in the box office charts, while It Ends With Us also continues its strong performance, potentially hitting $140 million domestic this weekend.
