Summary
- Beetlejuice was Netflix's first DVD shipped in 1998, marking a significant connection between the two.
- The success of Netflix originals like Stranger Things and Wednesday can be partially attributed to the impact of Beetlejuice's cast and crew.
- Despite their enduring popularity, Beetlejuice 2 will likely not stream on Netflix, instead potentially launching its streaming availability on Max.
Beetlejuice and Netflix have had some intriguing overlap since the media company’s introduction, and their dynamic continues to expand nearly 30 years later through connections to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice being released on September 6, 2024, the long-delayed sequel expands on the franchise with new advances and cultural changes since 1988.
Though Beetlejuice premiered a decade before Netflix began life as a DVD mailing service, the franchise and media company have maintained an interesting connection since 1988. After cementing a record during the early days of Netflix’s physical media-based inception, Beetlejuice’s link has been strengthened since Netflix transformed into a successful streaming service and production company. In a curious reversal, Beetlejuice played an important role in Netflix’s initial launch in 1998, while Netflix is now playing an indirect role in launching the 2024 sequel due to overlap with Beetlejuice 2’s cast and crew.
Beetlejuice Was The Very First DVD Shipped By Netflix In 1998
Beetlejuice Was Netflix's First Rental As A DVD Mail Service
Beetlejuice holds the unique record of being the very first DVD that Netflix shipped to its subscribers in March 1998. After Beetlejuice became the first movie mailed in Netflix’s iconic envelopes, the company went on to send out over 5.2 billion DVDs before bringing an end to this service in 2023 (via final disc that Netflix sent out through its DVD program was reportedly a Blu-ray copy of the Coen Brothers’ 2010 movie True Grit, officially concluding Netflix’s initial concept after 25 years.
Netflix was officially founded in August 1997 with its DVD-by-mail movie rental program. The company created its streaming service in 2007, and started producing original content in 2012.
While DVDs weren’t released as a medium to consume film until 1996, it’s a testament to Beetlejuice’s popularity that after already being available on VHS for a decade, it was the very first film ordered through Netflix. Rather than a more recent release that some subscribers may have been watching at home for the very first time, the first DVD ordered on Netflix was a movie that had been readily available for several years beforehand. The enduring appeal of Beetlejuice was therefore already clear when making Netflix history in 1998, with the timeless movie still impacting Netflix’s business today.
Beetlejuice 2's Major Cast & Crew Found Success On Netflix Before The Sequel
Would Beetlejuice 2 Have Happened In 2024 Without Netflix's Most Popular TV Shows?
Two of Netflix’s biggest TV shows of all time arguably have the Beetlejuice franchise to thank for a portion of their popularity. Beetlejuice was the breakout role of Winona Ryder, who was the biggest A-list actor to Stranger Things season 1, with the success of this show helping to boost Netflix’s original content. Ryder’s role as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice made her one of the most iconic teen actors of the 1980s, with the nostalgia of this role and her continued appeal helping to boost the impact of her Stranger Things casting and the show’s 1980s cultural homages.
From Netflix ing Jenna Ortega’s breakout and the resurgences of Winona Ryder and Tim Burton’s career popularity, it can be argued that Beetlejuice 2 finally happening has Netflix to partially thank.
Meanwhile, after over a decade of being movies that were largely box office duds, critically panned, or both, Tim Burton’s comeback officially happened when he signed on to direct and executive produce Netflix’s Wednesday show. Alongside Stranger Things, Wednesday is one of Netflix’s most popular and successful properties, and Tim Burton’s name gave the anticipation for the Addams Family spinoff show a major boost. Considering Wednesday also features clever nods to Beetlejuice and Tim Burton’s other classic ‘80s and ‘90s movies, it’s clear that his early filmography has a significant influence on the show’s filmmaking approach and design.
Actor/Crew Member |
Beetlejuice 2 Role |
Netflix Projects |
|---|---|---|
Tim Burton |
Director |
Wednesday |
Winona Ryder |
Actor (Lydia Deetz) |
Stranger Things |
Jenna Ortega |
Actor (Astrid Deetz) |
Wednesday, You, Yes Day, The Babysitter: Killer Queen |
Michael Keaton |
Actor (Beetlejuice) |
The Trial of the Chicago 7 |
Catherine O'Hara |
Actor (Delia Deetz) |
Pain Hustlers |
Justin Theroux |
Actor (Rory) |
Maniac |
Alfred Gough & Miles Millar |
Screenwriters |
Wednesday |
While she wouldn’t be born for well over a decade after Beetlejuice’s 1988 release, Jenna Ortega rose to fame for her horror roles, particularly the titular role on Wednesday, prior to being cast in Beetlejuice 2. Jenna Ortega is now one of the biggest names attached to Beetlejuice 2 other than the returning original stars, and her widespread popularity skyrocketed after being cast in Tim Burton’s Wednesday show. From Netflix ing Jenna Ortega’s breakout and the resurgences of Winona Ryder and Tim Burton’s career popularity, it can be argued that Beetlejuice 2 finally happening has Netflix to partially thank.
Beetlejuice 2 Is A Way Bigger Wednesday Reunion Than Just Tim Burton & Jenna Ortega
Wednesday's Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton are reuniting for Beetlejuice 2, with more notable figures from the Netflix series also ing the sequel.
Beetlejuice 2's Connections To Netflix Make The Original Movie's Record More Heartwarming
Beetlejuice & Netflix's Popularity Have Endured For Decades
Netflix may not be directly involved in Beetlejuice 2, but their overlap makes the fact that Tim Burton’s 1988 movie was an important part of the company’s origins more meaningful. While Beetlejuice premiered in 1988 and Netflix sent its first DVD in 1998, both are still massively successful and influential in pop culture today. It’s incredible to see that Beetlejuice and Netflix have separately endured for so long in the cultural conscience, yet they keep finding overlap as time goes on.
After Beetlejuice became the first DVD Netflix shipped, the movie’s cast and crew finding later success on Netflix prior to Beetlejuice 2 feels like the company is paying back the favor.
Additionally, as the Beetlejuice franchise and Netflix model stand today, both appear quite different from their original products. Beetlejuice and Netflix have adjusted with the times while still maintaining much of what underscored their original appeals, and have even indirectly come together through both of their successes. After Beetlejuice became the first DVD Netflix shipped, the movie’s cast and crew finding later success on Netflix prior to Beetlejuice 2 feels like the company is paying back the favor.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Beetlejuice, 36 Years Later
Tim Burton's Beetlejuice is a widely adored '80s horror comedy classic with a sequel on the way, but a few flaws show up on a rewatch today.
Netflix's Streaming Changes Mean It Can't Fulfill A Huge Full-Circle Moment With Beetlejuice 2
Netflix Can't Be The First Service Where Beetlejuice 2 Is Streamed
Though Beetlejuice and Netflix now have quite a bit of overlap, they’ll sadly miss an opportunity to come full circle from their origins to reflect the industry’s move to streaming. Similar to how Beetlejuice’s Netflix order highlighted the rise of the popularity of DVDs, it would have been interesting to see Netflix become Beetlejuice 2’s first streaming home to emphasize the popularity of this new medium. However, given the rise of new streaming services after Netflix’s success, Tim Burton's Beetlejuice 2 is expected to hit a different platform when it finally comes to this medium.
Tim Burton's Horror With 86% On RT Is Now Streaming On Max & It's Perfectly Timed
Beetlejuice is now available to stream, and with the sequel just about to be released, it's coming at the perfect time for fans of Burton's horror.
Instead of Netflix, the first streaming home of Beetlejuice 2 will likely be Max, as the film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. While Beetlejuice 2 could finally come to Netflix at a later time, there’s no telling how long it will be before the horror-comedy can be available on this streaming service. Despite being the company’s first rental, it’s unclear whether the original Beetlejuice has ever been available for streaming on Netflix, which brings down the likelihood of Tim Burton’s sequel hitting the streamer anytime soon after its theatrical release.
Souce: TODAY
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
7/10- Release Date
- September 6, 2024
- Runtime
- 104 Minutes
- Director
- Tim Burton
Cast
Beetlejuice
Lydia Deetz
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYBeetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now ed by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
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Beetlejuice
9/10- Release Date
- March 30, 1988
- Runtime
- 92 minutes
- Director
- Tim Burton
Cast
Catherine O'Hara-
WHERE TO WATCH
RENTBUYTim Burton's Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular "bio-exorcist", an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.
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