Honestly, the juice is barely loose again and everyone is already asking for a refill. After waiting thirty-six years for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to hit theaters in 2024, the immediate question on every fan's lips is: is there going to be a Beetlejuice 3? It’s a natural reaction. We live in an era of cinematic universes and endless trilogies. If a movie makes money—and the sequel definitely did, raking in over $110 million in its domestic opening weekend alone—the studio usually starts salivating for more.
But with Tim Burton, things are never that simple.
The man doesn't work like a Marvel director. He isn't plotting out a ten-year roadmap with interconnected post-credit scenes. He makes movies when he feels a connection to the characters. For the sequel, that connection was Lydia Deetz. He wanted to know what happened to that goth teenager once she became an adult, a mother, and a professional mediator for the paranormal. So, is there room for a third act? Let’s look at the actual reality of the situation without the Hollywood fluff.
The Math Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About
Time is the biggest hurdle. Let’s do the math. Tim Burton is currently in his mid-60s. Michael Keaton is in his 70s. While Keaton looks like he hasn't lost a step under that moldy green wig and greasepaint, the physical demands of playing the Ghost with the Most aren't getting easier.
Burton himself addressed this during the Venice Film Festival. When asked about the possibility of a third film, he joked about the timeline. He pointed out that it took nearly four decades to get the second one made. "If we follow the same timeframe, I’ll be over 100," Burton told reporters. He didn't say no, but he certainly didn't say yes. It was a classic Burton deflection, wrapped in a bit of dark humor.
It’s also about the creative spark. Burton has famously walked away from franchises before. He left Batman after two films because he felt he had said what he needed to say. If there isn't a compelling reason to revisit the Neitherworld, he likely won't do it just for a paycheck. He’s at a point in his career where he values his personal vision over studio mandates.
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Jenna Ortega and the New Generation
If a third movie happens, it almost certainly centers on Astrid Deetz. Jenna Ortega has become the modern face of "strange and unusual." Her chemistry with Winona Ryder was the emotional backbone of the sequel. You can see a world where the franchise shifts focus entirely to her.
Maybe Astrid gets married? Maybe she ends up trapped in the afterlife and Lydia has to summon Beetlejuice one last time to get her out? There are dozens of ways to write it. But you have to wonder if Ortega wants to be tied to another massive franchise while she’s already balancing Wednesday and the Scream films. She’s picky. She likes scripts that have meat on their bones.
Then there’s the Catherine O’Hara factor. Delia Deetz is arguably the funniest part of the entire series. Her character arc in the sequel was surprisingly definitive, yet she’s the kind of actress who can make any scene work. Without that specific ensemble—Ryder, O'Hara, Keaton, and now Ortega—the "vibe" of the movie would feel off. You can't just replace them with younger actors and hope for the best.
The Warner Bros. Perspective
Money talks. Usually, it screams. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice proved that there is a massive, cross-generational appetite for this specific brand of weirdness. It wasn't just nostalgia-bait for Gen X; it captured Gen Z through Ortega and the viral aesthetics of the film.
Warner Bros. Discovery is currently looking for "stable" hits. They want franchises they can count on. From a purely business-centric view, a third film is a no-brainer. They have the sets, the costumes, and the proof of concept. But they also know that a Beetlejuice movie without Tim Burton isn't a Beetlejuice movie—it's just a costume party. If they can't convince Burton to sit in the director's chair, the project likely dies in development hell.
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What Would the Plot Even Be?
If we speculate on what is there going to be a Beetlejuice 3 would actually look like, we have to look at the loose ends. The sequel actually wrapped up quite a bit. Lydia found some semblance of peace. Astrid found her voice. Beetlejuice... well, he’s still Beetlejuice.
One interesting avenue is the "Afterlife Bureaucracy." We saw more of the inner workings of the Neitherworld this time around. We saw the "Soul Train." We saw the different departments. A third film could dive deeper into the chaos of the world beyond, perhaps with a threat that spans both the living and the dead.
Or, perhaps, it goes small again. The best parts of the original were the intimate, haunted house vibes. Maybe the third film should involve Beetlejuice actually succeeding in staying in the mortal world for more than ten minutes. Imagine the chaos of him trying to live in a modern suburb.
The "Never Say Never" Rule
Hollywood history is littered with directors saying they are "done" and then returning five years later with a fresh idea. Look at Ridley Scott and Gladiator 2. Look at James Cameron and Avatar.
Burton’s career has had its ups and downs. The success of the second film has clearly re-energized him. You could see it in the craft—the practical effects, the shrunken heads, the stop-motion animation. He looked like he was having fun again. If he finds another story that makes him feel that way, he'll sign on.
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But right now? There is no script. There is no official greenlight. There are just a lot of "maybes" and "we'll sees."
Practical Steps for Fans
If you are waiting for news on a third installment, don't hold your breath for a 2026 release date. These things move slowly, especially with a director who prioritizes aesthetics over speed.
- Watch the box office numbers: If the sequel continues to perform well on streaming and physical media (4K/Blu-ray), the pressure for a sequel will mount.
- Follow the "Wednesday" production: Tim Burton is heavily involved in the Netflix series. His schedule there will dictate when he has time for another feature film.
- Keep an eye on Michael Keaton's interviews: He is the most honest member of the cast. If he says he's open to it, the door is officially unlocked.
Ultimately, the answer to is there going to be a Beetlejuice 3 lies in whether or not there is a story left to tell that isn't just a retread of the first two. The sequel avoided the "legacy sequel" trap by focusing on new emotional stakes. A third film would have to do the same. Until then, we have two very weird, very wonderful movies to keep us company.
Keep your eyes on official trades like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for actual casting calls or production starts. Avoid the "fan-made" posters on social media that claim a third movie is coming next Halloween. They’re fake. Real news will come from the studio itself, likely following a period of quiet reflection from Burton.