For 36 long years, fans waited with bated breath to see whether they might one day receive a sequel to the cult classic comedy, Beetlejuice. Fortunately, all that waiting seemed to pay off with the long-awaited release of Tim Burton’s ingenious sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. A return to form for the filmmaker behind such lauded films as Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also makes for the perfect follow-up to its 1988 predecessor, spelling out a dark fantasy sequel that effortlessly lives up to the original.
Of course, anyone who has seen Beetlejuice Beetlejuice might be interested in getting their hand on a few more visionary horror comedies. From family-friendly musicals to fan-favorite animated films, here are seven movies we recommend checking out after you’ve seen Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in theaters.
Beetlejuice (1998)
Unsurprisingly, the best movie to watch after Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is – you guessed it – its original 1988 counterpart, Beetlejuice. Establishing the distinct creative and visual style that Tim Burton soon became synonymous with, Beetlejuice flips the stereotypical ghost story on its head, ensuring plenty of laughs over its fast-moving hour and 30 minute runtime. The perfect companion piece to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it’s every bit as entertaining now as it was 36 years ago. Watch Beetlejuice on Max.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Like the aforementioned Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus managed to take on a life of its own in the decades since its release. Initially received as an enjoyable enough family-friendly comedy, this beloved fantasy film eventually acquired a loyal cult following of fans, if only for the zany performances of its lead cast and its infectious musical dance numbers. A seasonal favorite to watch every time Halloween rolls around, Hocus Pocus only seems to grow more popular with each passing year (and with good reason, of course). Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+.
Addams Family Values (1993)
Sure, you could go ahead and watch the first entry in the franchise with The Addams Family, but for our money, Addams Family Values is far and away the superior film. Abandoning the hokier comedic tone of its predecessor, Addams Family Values returns to the same brand of macabre humor as the original comics, including a darkly humorous main storyline involving murder, shallow marriage proposals, and (gasp) overly preppy summer camps. Watch Addams Family Values on Paramount+.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Five years before Tim Burton and company lampooned the traditional haunted house narrative, director Ivan Reitman presented his own unique take on mischievous ghouls with his 1984 classic, Ghostbusters. Melding humor with plenty of light-hearted scares, Ghostbusters struck a satisfying balance between comedy and horror, all wrapped around one extraordinarily tight package. Watch Ghostbusters on Amazon Video.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Yet another renowned comedic horror movie from the mid 1980s, Little Shop of Horrors also forges a clever blend between kitschier scares and crisp tongue-in-cheek humor. Based on the successful Broadway musical of the same name, Frank Oz’s bizarre musical comedy expertly relies on the strength of its main cast and its striking puppetry, delighting, entertaining, and thoroughly unnerving viewers across multiple generations – especially when it comes to the appearance of its lead antagonist, the carnivorous Audrey II. Watch Little Shop of Horrors on Amazon Video.
ParaNorman (2012)
As with almost every one of Laika’s movies, ParaNorman manages to revitalize an otherwise dated horror story, breathing fresh life into its retro horror presentation. Mixing witches, zombies, ghosts, and teenage angst into one family-friendly horror film, ParaNorman is a suitable viewing option for every prospective audience member, regardless of their age, demographic, or individual tastes as a movie-goer. Watch ParaNorman on the Roku Channel.
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Betelgeuse might be a meddlesome spirit, but he’s nowhere near as loathsome as A Series of Unfortunate Events’ Count Olaf. Brilliantly brought to life by a cast-against-type Jim Carrey, Olaf proves himself every bit as deranged, demented, and self-serving a villain as the ghostly star of 1988’s Beetlejuice. Alternating between various over-the-top disguises in his quest to kill the Baudelaire orphans, Carrey’s Olaf gives Betelgeuse a run for his money in terms of his comic might, flamboyant showmanship, and seamless ability to terrorize the unfortunate souls around him. Watch A Series of Unfortunate Events on Prime Video and MGM+.
