Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is on track to break a September box office curse, solidifying itself as a major success during its opening weekend. Released and set 36 years after the original movie, the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice focuses on Michael Keaton’s titular bio-exorcist returning after a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) returns to Winter River with her teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Trailers for the movie tease a potential rescue mission, where Beetlejuice must team up with Lydia in order to save her daughter from a supernatural threat.

Now, according to Deadline, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is projected to earn $145 million worldwide during its opening weekend, the first time in seven years a movie has opened above $100 million in September. This includes $100-$110 million domestically, making it the largest domestic opening in the month since 2017’s It (which came in at $123.4 million). However, Warner Bros. believes the movie could still fall into $80 million domestic, which, given a predicted $35 million of international earnings, means the movie would still break a seven-year curse for the September box office.

What Beetlejuice 2’s Projected Box Office Numbers Mean For The Movie

The Supernatural Sequel Might Be A Huge Success

Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) in Beetlejuice 2 looking offscreen Astrid (Jenna Ortega) standing next to a hanging ghost in a school uniform in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice leaning over with Lydia looking shocked and Bob in the background in Beetlejuice 2 Monica Bellucci as Delores looking up in Beetlejuice 2 Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) in the red wedding dress in Beetlejuice 2 Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) in Beetlejuice 2 looking offscreen Astrid (Jenna Ortega) standing next to a hanging ghost in a school uniform in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice leaning over with Lydia looking shocked and Bob in the background in Beetlejuice 2 Monica Bellucci as Delores looking up in Beetlejuice 2 Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) in the red wedding dress in Beetlejuice 2

No matter which projection for the sequel is right, it appears the movie is destined to beat out the original’s full box office run of $74.6 million, though without inflation taken into account. This success could be increased thanks to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s positive reviews following its premiere at Venice Film Festival on August 28. While the movie’s budget has yet to be revealed, a major initial performance exceeding $100 million could mean the film is on track to a guaranteed profit.

The box office could also reflect interest in other stars in the movie, including Catherine O’Hara, who returns as Lydia’s stepmother Delia Deetz. Other faces include Justin Theroux as Lydia’s boyfriend Rory, Monica Belluci as Delores, and Willem Dafoe as ghost detective Wolf Jackson. Tim Burton’s return as director is another selling point, as the movie’s creative vision seemingly retains his style from the original based on the trailers. These factors seem like they’ll give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice the energy it needs for a massive box office success.

As of writing, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice holds a 79% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 48 reviews.

Our Take On Beetlejuice 2’s Box Office Projections

The Movie Could Be A Major Late Summer Success

Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse, Catherine O'Hara as Delia, and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice 2 with money in the backgroundCustom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s theatrical release promising a major success from its opening weekend, the movie just might be able to become a smash hit in the late summer movie season. The film won’t have any major new competition at the box office until Transformers One on September 20, giving it plenty of room to grow thanks to its already massive initial projections. While it’s unclear how the sequel will perform in subsequent weeks, a strong start coupled with positive reviews means it could be a highlight for September releases.

Source: Deadline