Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has officially come to streaming, and because of this, it has become apparent that the Beetlejuice animated series holds many similarities to the new film. This show, like many other kids TV shows based on violent movies, takes the character of Beetlejuice and turns him more into a lovable nuisance and uncle-figure to Lydia Deetz than the menace he was in the original film. A change like this allowed showrunners to create a show that is appropriate and fun for all ages, exploring a new cast of wacky characters by depicting the afterlife as the colorful “Neitherworld.”
Although the series and the original film have their fair share of differences, a few of the animation’s best episodes are perfect for any fans of the movie. They evoke the feeling of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, operating as a peek into the film decades into the future. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is available to stream on Max and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, while the animated series version of Beetlejuice is only available to purchase through platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
10
Skeletons In The Closet
Season 1, Episode 2
Many of the episodes of Beetlejuice are split into two stories, and the second episode of the series is no different. The second half of the episode, titled “Skeletons in the Closet,” introduces the audience to Beetlejuice’s roommates, Ginger the Tap Dancing Spider and the skeleton Jacques. When he continues to lie to both of them, the metaphorical skeletons that fill his closet begin to escape, telling everyone Beetlejuice’s secrets.
Beetlejuice is an animated television series inspired by Tim Burton’s 1988 film. The show follows the misadventures of Lydia Deetz, a gothic teenage girl, and her mischievous ghost friend, Beetlejuice, in the Neitherworld and on Earth. Voiced by Stephen Ouimette, Beetlejuice’s chaotic antics and Lydia’s resourcefulness create a unique blend of comedy and fantasy. The series aired from 1989 to 1991, garnering critical acclaim for its inventive storytelling and distinctive animation style.
- Release Date
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September 9, 1989
- Cast
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Stephen Ouimette
, Alyson Court
, Tabitha St. Germain
, Elizabeth Hanna
, Roger Dunn - Seasons
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4
The episode, which mostly takes place in the Neitherworld, captures the same energy that makes Beetlejuice Beetlejuice so special. While Beetlejuice is ultimately the villain of this short episode, he remains lovable and over the top throughout, using his powers to great comedic effect as he chases down the manifestations of his own lies. It even has a feel-good ending, with the lie that Beetlejuice seems most desperate to keep being that he really doesn’t hate Jacques.
9
Bad Neighbor Beetlejuice
Season 1, Episode 7
Another episode that sees Beetlejuice being a general nuisance to his roommates and neighbors, “Bad Neighbor Beetlejuice” begins as Beetlejuice is finally kicked out of the house. Desperate to get back in their good graces, Beetlejuice attempts to act as a good neighbor. However, what he thinks makes a good neighbor and what others think is a good neighbor are very different things, leading to shenanigans that eventually end with a house overflowing with bugs.
While the antics of the animated Beetlejuice are much more tame than those of his live-action counterpart, this episode is a sneak peek into how wacky he can be. His portrayal in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is fun and, while just as gross as he has always been, can sometimes be a little endearing. That characterization is the same in this episode, showing this side of him through the lens of being a prankster.
8
It’s The Pits
Season 1, Episode 10
Music has always been a part of the Beetlejuice franchise, beginning with the iconic “Day-O” scene in the original film and continuing with an entire Beetlejuice Broadway Musical. This is the same with the episode “It’s the Pits,” which sees Beetlejuice and his roommates starting a band. Their music features Beetlejuice using his armpit to strike up a beat, quickly shooting to stardom among the people of the Neitherworld.
Things quickly begin to crumble, however, as Beetlejuice becomes arrogant and decides to go solo, even setting aside his friendship with Lydia. It is easy to imagine that the Beetlejuice of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice might be self-involved enough to try and become a superstar in the afterlife. He is certainly arrogant enough to try, and because music is so integral to the identity of the Beetlejuice franchise, something like this fits well with his character.
7
Not So Peaceful Pines
Season 4, Episode 65
The episode “Not So Peaceful Pines” is an important episode of the Beetlejuice animated series for several reasons, most of all being that it is the final episode of the show. In this episode, when the Mayor of Peaceful Pines goes back on a promise to Beetlejuice, he becomes so angry that he splits in two. These two halves of him are the “good” and the “bad” sides of Beetlejuice, one terrorizing the town and the other working to save it.
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While it was initially difficult to believe that Beetlejuice would do anything for anyone but himself, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice film sees him assisting Lydia Deetz and helping her to save her daughter, Astrid. He helped Lydia to take down the boy who tried to steal Astrid’s life out from under her. While he was still in it for himself in the end, he still helped in what were some of the most fun scenes of the movie.
6
Poe Pourri
Season 4, Episode 13
Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, “Poe Pourri” sees the iconic author appear in the Neitherworld looking for someone named Lenore. Much of the plot is pulled from Poe’s works, including the iconic poem “The Raven.” The episode is equally an exploration of these works as it is a fun Beetlejuice episode, pulling on popular media to create something wholly new.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is a dark fantasy horror-comedy franchise that began with the release of the 1988 film directed by Tim Burton. The story follows a recently deceased couple who become ghosts haunting their former home and summon Betelgeuse (pronounced “Beetlejuice”), a mischievous and devious bio-exorcist ghost, to scare away the new inhabitants. The film’s success led to an animated television series, stage musical, and a highly anticipated sequel.
- Created by
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Tim Burton
, Michael McDowell
, Larry Wilson
, Warren Skaaren
While Beetlejuice does not meet any historical figures in the live-action films, it would not be surprising to find him trying to work one of his cons on any of them. It would be another extension of the movies’ already self-referential humor. Beetlejuice is constantly making references, and to see anyone associated with these references would feel like it has all come full circle.
5
Dr. Beetle And Mr. Juice
Season 2, Episode 6
In another episode that sees Beetlejuice changing wildly, in “Dr. Beetle and Mr. Juice,” Beetlejuice creates a cologne that allows the wearer to become the opposite of who they normally are. However, when Beetlejuice sprays Lydia with this cologne, she becomes a prankster much like himself. It quickly becomes too much for Beetlejuice to handle, with Lydia being more of a force to be reckoned with than he could have ever imagined.
The title of this episode is a reference to the gothic horror novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This episode develops a trend that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continues, with Beetlejuice consistently dragging Lydia into things or vice versa. The two of them work together, but in a rare twist, Beetlejuice has to help Lydia in this episode. This reflects the help he would eventually have to give in the sequel movie, which wouldn’t be released until decades later.
4
Prince Of The Neitherworld
Season 1, Episode 11
“Prince of the Neitherworld” is a unique Beetlejuice episode that follows Beetlejuice as he applies to be the jester for the Neitherworld’s prince. Nothing can cheer the prince up until Beetlejuice comes along, with Lydia in tow, and the prince quickly falls in love with Lydia. Beetlejuice plays matchmaker for the two of them then, until becoming jealous that Lydia is spending all her time with the prince.
While the episode portrays the Neitherworld and the way it operates quite differently than the movies do, likening it more to a kingdom than the modern world, it still reflects life in some way. The episode has heart, especially compared to more of the basic episodes. The movies also have this same heart, even if the animated series if more simple.
3
Critter Sitters
Season 1, Episode 1
The first episode of the animated series, “Critter Sitters,” sees Beetlejuice and Lydia take a job babysitting. However, when things go wrong, Beetlejuice is sentenced by the court of the Neitherworld. This episode is one of the rare sightings of the Sand Worm in the series, complete with a new design that differentiates them from the original film.
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The fact that this is one of the few sightings of the Sand Worms in the animated series is more than enough to tie it to the original property. It even introduces the fact that Beetlejuice is scared of Sand Worms, rounding out the character even further. Though the Sand Worms do look different, they call back to an important part of the lore surrounding the series as a whole.
2
Beetlejuice’s Parents
Season 1, Episode 13
In the episode “Beetlejuice’s Parents,” Beetlejuice takes Lydia to meet his mother and father. The two couldn’t be more different from their son, being extremely clean and hardworking in all respects. He eventually ends up helping the two of them, showing the loving bond that still exists in their family.
In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’s wife is named Delores LaFerve, played by Monica Belluci.
This episode is especially interesting consisting the lore introduced surrounding Beetlejuice’s backstory. Not only was the way Beetlejuice died revealed, but his wife was introduced as a character. This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to hear more about Beetlejuice’s backstory, offering a different look into the history of the iconic character.
1
Out Of My Mind
Season 1, Episode 3
One of the most interesting episodes of the animated series is “Out of My Mind,” an early episode in the series that explores Beetlejuice as a character. When Lydia inadvertently is sent into Beetlejuice’s mind, she must work with his Willpower to somehow find a way to escape. Along the way, she meets different facets of his personality, including Prankenstein, who represents his desire to prank others.
Though there are few moments where the audience truly gets to know Beetlejuice in the films, viewers are offered more of a look when exploring Beetlejuice’s backstory. Putting these together, more can be learned about a character that has been beloved for decades. While there are many differences between the animated series and the rest of the franchise, there is still plenty that ties it together with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
