Death Becomes Her (1992)
Imagine the Maitlands' predicament, but replace their ghostly learning curve with two Hollywood rivals fueled by vanity and a magical potion for eternal life. This Robert Zemeckis film is a masterclass in camp and dark humor, featuring over-the-top performances
and groundbreaking special effects that feel like a direct descendant of Beetlejuice's charmingly grotesque aesthetic. It gleefully explores the absurd downsides of cheating death, making it a perfect companion piece.
The Frighteners (1996)
Before he journeyed to Middle-earth, Peter Jackson directed this horror-comedy gem starring Michael J. Fox as a con artist who communicates with ghosts. He uses his spectral pals to haunt houses, only to charge the residents for an exorcism. The film expertly balances genuinely spooky moments with a witty, anarchic tone reminiscent of Beetlejuice's own blend of horror and comedy. The ghost designs are both menacing and cartoonishly creative.
The Addams Family (1991)
If you love the clash between the bizarre and the bland, look no further. The Addams Family shares Beetlejuice's core comedic engine: a gleefully macabre family whose gothic sensibilities are a constant source of confusion and horror for the 'normal' people around them. Both films celebrate the outsider and find endless humor in the collision of two wildly different worlds, wrapped in a delightfully dark and quirky package.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
This mockumentary about a group of vampire flatmates in New Zealand perfectly captures the hilarious mundanity of supernatural existence. Much like Beetlejuice portrays a bureaucratic and bizarre afterlife, this film finds humor in ancient vampires struggling with modern-day chores and social dynamics. It’s a brilliant send-up of vampire tropes, played with a deadpan wit that will feel instantly familiar to anyone who loves the offbeat comedy of the ghost with the most.
ParaNorman (2012)
From the stop-motion animation studio Laika, ParaNorman feels like a spiritual cousin to Tim Burton's creations. It follows a young boy who can speak to the dead and must save his town from a centuries-old curse. The film features a handcrafted, quirky visual style and a story that blends spooky atmosphere with genuine heart and laugh-out-loud humor. Its embrace of the weird and its focus on a kid navigating the world of ghosts make it a must-see.
Heathers (1988)
While it lacks any supernatural elements, Heathers is the patron saint of 1980s black comedy. Released the same year as Beetlejuice, it offers a similarly cynical and satirical take on its genre—in this case, the high school movie. It’s a biting, audacious film that pushes the boundaries of dark humor by treating murder with shocking flippancy. If your favorite part of Beetlejuice is its sharp, anti-sentimental wit, you'll find a kindred spirit in Heathers.
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
For another wildly inventive trip through the afterlife, your next stop should be this audacious sequel. After being killed by evil robot duplicates, Bill and Ted must navigate a surreal version of heaven and hell, challenging the Grim Reaper to a game of Twister to win back their lives. Like Beetlejuice, it presents the great beyond as a bizarre, rule-filled landscape that is both horrifying and hilarious.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
This film serves as a fantastic gateway horror-comedy for a slightly younger audience, much like Beetlejuice did for many. Based on the John Bellairs novel, it centers on a young orphan who discovers his eccentric uncle is a warlock living in a house with a doomsday clock hidden inside. The movie is packed with quirky magic, spooky atmosphere, and a sense of fantastical fun that makes it a worthy successor in spirit.
