The highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton has managed to accumulate an impressive $12 million in previews on both Wednesday and Thursday nights, which is a promising start. Even though it may not be directly comparable, this figure is not far behind the $13.5 million earned by It in 2017, which set the record for the highest September opening at $123.4 million. It also surpasses the $10.5 million collected by It: Chapter Two in 2019, the second-highest September opening at $91 million. These figures have been confirmed by industry sources.
The preview numbers for Beetlejuice appear to be on par with Dune: Part Two, which also earned $12 million in previews, including $4.5 million from an Imax preshow program. Despite this similarity, it is worth noting that Beetlejuice seems to appeal more to a female audience, while Dune: Part Two predominantly attracted male viewers at 65%. This distinction may play a role in the final box office performance of both films.
There is optimism surrounding the box office potential of Beetlejuice as it is expected to perform even better than its current projections. Factors such as the strong presence of Latino and Hispanic audiences, along with positive critic and audience ratings, suggest that the film could exceed initial expectations. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 78% from critics and 87% from audiences, Beetlejuice is off to a solid start.
Director Tim Burton, known for his unique visual style and storytelling, has not often ventured into making sequels in his career. Beetlejuice marks only his second sequel following 1992’s Batman Returns. The decision to revisit the world of Beetlejuice seems to have paid off, as evidenced by the film’s wide release in 4,500 theaters across various premium formats. This extensive distribution strategy indicates confidence in the film’s ability to resonate with viewers.
Overall, Beetlejuice’s impressive preview numbers, favorable demographic appeal, and strong critical reception bode well for its box office performance. As the film continues to roll out in theaters, it will be interesting to see if it can maintain its momentum and potentially set new records for the fall season. Stay tuned for more updates on Beetlejuice’s box office success.