Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice OK for kids? Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice safe for kids? Read the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new Warner Bros. live action film sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024, starring Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse, Winona Ryder as Lydia, and Jenna Ortega as Astrid. No spoilers! #Beetlejuice May contain commissioned links.

Parents Guide 2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

It’s showtime.

The year was 1988, friends. Has it really been 36 years since the release of the classic 1988 live action film, Beetlejuice?

A macabre masterpiece ahead of its time and only his second film release after 1985 Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (catapulting a filmography legacy for both himself and Michael Keaton), the bizarre and twisted mind of Tim Burton is back. And he’s teamed up again with Michael Keaton for the most anticipated sequel of the year – if not the century. And I’ve got the “Deetz” on whether this 36 year fan-service sequel in the making is even worth comparing to the beloved yet horrifying original.

In this Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice parents guide to the new Warner Bros. live action film. A no-spoiler parent review of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024, is this long awaited fan-service sequel dead wrong or dead right?

The Visuals

Visually Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is classic Tim Burton. Gothic horror meets dysmorphic fantasy – it’s his signature visual artistry through and through. But in a twist on 36 years of movie magic I found it honestly refreshing to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice honoring the classic filmography of the 1980’s – holding back on improved visual CGI and opting for more simplistic shots. Nostalgic? Very.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does have scenes of bright flashing or strobing lights – mostly in effect of scenes portraying lightning storms that occur in the beginning credits and about 1/4 of the way through when electrocution occurs. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also has scenes with dizzying and fast spinning camera movements that could be nausea inducing for some – one scene in particular of characters entering the afterlife down a spiraling/spinning tunnel.

The Story

The iconic director Tim Burton (“Nightmare Before Christmas“) and Michael Keaton duo return to the big screen with a Beetlejuice 2 screenplay written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (“Wednesday“). The new 2024 Beetlejuice sequel stars Michael Keaton (“Batman” and “The Flash”) as Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder (“Edward Scissorhands” and “Little Women“) as Lydia Deetz, Catherine O’Hara (“Schitts Creek” and “Home Alone“) as Delia Deetz, along with Willem DaFoe (“Poor Things” and “Spider-Man“) as Wolf Jackson and Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday” and “Stuck in the Middle“) as Lydia’s daughter Astrid.

The story follows the Deetz’ family’s as three generations make their way to the Winter River home after a family tragedy. When Lydia’s rebellious teenage daughter Astrid discovers the mysterious model town in the attic – it’s only a matter of time before Beetlejuice’s mayhem ensues.

While light and predictable in the plot points, the fan-service combined with Tim Burton’s take on nostalgic movie making is actually kind of dementedly sweet. Michael Keaton (at age 72 – say what?!) hasn’t lost a step – continuing to build upon a truly iconic character. And even though Lydia is a little more than forced and annoying at times – Catherine O’Hara and Jenna Ortega help carry the female character load.

That’s not to say that he goes light on the gothic horror fantasy world building either. The macabre is heavy handed. There’s no condescending scenes for sequel-sake. There’s no reinventing or retelling the original story or adding characters just because. There are obvious moments in the film where you can see Tim Burton reconnecting with his roots – with child-like whimsy and fun.

But the real question is – is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice for kids?

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice PG-13 Rating Explained

Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 safe for kids? A Beetlejuice sequel (cough cough – original should have never been rated PG – cough cough) rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice rated PG-13? In this Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sequel is rated PG-13 for “violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is kid friendly. Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice too scary for kids? Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this 2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a Tim Burton production. Need I say more? The macabre and bloody images throughout are disturbing and grotesque – but always with a hint of comedic effect. But note that these visuals are a few levels above that of say a more kid-friendly Addams Family type of macabre. Always leaning towards the gothic horror effect, violence in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice includes creatures/dead people attacking and drawing blood of living characters. Blood spurts, violent emptying of intestinal organs, grotesque open wounds, impalements, and severed body parts are shown. One scene shows body parts being stapled back together. There are a few scenes of implied off-screen violence as well.

Peril and suspense are also present – and turned up a level above the original 1988 version. Probably the most disturbing are two scenes of implied “birthing.” One is a violent on-camera ejection through the stomach of a character and one occurs in a typical hospital-like setting. While nothing is shown, both instances end up with bloody and disturbing results.

Adult Themes. Alcohol is present in the new Beetlejuice 2 sequel with scenes of characters holding 6-packs of beer and holding wine glasses. Only two scenes show characters drinking wine – no one acts intoxicated or drunk. Prescription pills are ingested (though the type of drug is not mentioned) by characters for implied mental health reasons. There is one verbal reference to “laying off the pills.” No other drugs or smoking is present in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Dark fantasy thematic elements occur throughout. There are multiple discussions about ghosts psychic mediums and the afterlife. Death grief and loss are also themes throughout. Religious “demon” and “cult” references are made as well.

Only two toilet humor references in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. There is one tame reference to a dog that “goes to the bathroom in his doggy bed” and one verbal reference to “texting diarrhea.”

Does Beetlejuice Beetlejuice have sexual innuendo? Um, duh. While toning Beetlejuice down on the nudie bar scenes in this sequel there are multiple scenes of characters kissing and holding hands and saying “I love you.” There is an off-camera scene of a “wedding night” in a bedroom – nothing is shown.

Sexual innuendo verbal references in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice include “sexy,” “horny,” “do it,” “freaky sh-t,” “turned on,” and a “make her do un-seemingly things and post the pics.” Overall, light on adult content and most of these words could go over the heads of kids – but the Beetlejuice 2024 version is still underlying Betelgeuse on innuendo.

Language. Does Beetlejuice Beetlejuice have language? I’m still in shock that two F-bombs were dropped in the 1988 PG-rated original. Foul language phrases and swear words in the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 include: 2 “bullsh-t,” 7 “sh-t” (one in Spanish with English subtitles and one written), 1 “@sshole,” 1 “@ss,” 2 “g-dd@mn,” 1 “d@mn,” 4 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks,” 3 “crap,” 1 “sucks,” 1 “what the f-” (cut off with “beep” noise), and 1 “what the h-” (also cut off).

Milder bad language phrases and insults in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice include: “screwed,” “janky,” “horny,” “freak,” “freaked,” “freaky,” “jeez,” “stupid,” “Jesus,” “g-d,” and “oh my g-d.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

For me personally, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a reconnection with an estranged childhood friend. Not sure why our parents allowed us to watch a very NOT PG disturbing film back then, but now as an adult I can appreciate more of the foundation that Beetlejuice has had in the Tim Burton legacy.

In some dysmorphic way Tim Burton’s 36 years of nostalgia is felt in a fun and deranged walk down memory lane. Honoring but not lingering too long on the classic high points of the 1988 original – this is a fan-serviced Beetlejuice 2 sequel for the fans, but also for a young Tim Burton looking to rekindle with his own roots.

In a sea of tired, half-hearted, unimaginative sequels, I surprisingly didn’t hate this one. Sparked with imagination, creativity, and visual artistry – but a little light on the story build – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a teetering balancing act between foundational nostalgia and exploratory nuance. But overall you have to admit that the mind of Tim Burton is certainly never boring. Consider me entertained.

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the all new Beetlejuice 2 film sequel by Tim Burton is hauntingly appearing exclusively in theaters starting Friday September 6, 2024. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the all-new live action film sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 in exchange for this Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, television updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes info!