TheBeetlejuicemovies have some of the wackiest settings and characters of any movie in Hollywood, yet the thing that helps these elements really pop are their iconic costumes. The world ofBeetlejuicewas introduced in 1988. The original story follows a young couple, the Maitlands, as they come to terms with their deaths and are forced to haunt their own home’s new owners,the strange Deetz family. More than 30 years later,Beetlejuice Beetlejuicesees the return of the Deetz, and of course, their chaotic demon pal, Betelgeuse.
The originalBeetlejuicehas remained a pillar of Halloween movies for a variety of reasons.Michael Keaton’s performance as Betelgeuseis unforgettable. The premise alone is strange yet intriguing. However, the thing that really makesBeetlejuiceand its sequel so impressive is the production design and visual aesthetics, especially the impressive costumes.Beetlejuicemay not have been nearly as memorable if it wasn’t for Lydia’s spiky hair or Betelgeuse’s legendary striped suit. Ultimately, these ten costumes are an aspect of the franchise that will likely live on the longest in audiences' memories.
10Bob’s Yellow Suit
Straightforward But Notable
TheBeetlejuicefranchise is filled with distinct characters, all of whom are rather colorful and opinionated, including the characters who can’t actually speak. One of the most underrated members oftheBeetlejuice Beetlejuicecastis Betegeuse’s assistant, Bob. With no speaking lines,Bob can very easily go under audiences' radar, but there are a couple of details about him that stick no matter what: his shrunken head and his bright yellow suit. Arguably, this bizarre look is just as memorable as some of Betelgeuse’s outfits.
Bob’s suit may be rather straightforward, as it has no kooky elements or surprises within. However, the color alone (and the guy who wears it) makesBob and his outfit a staple of the newBeetlejuicemovie.Bob’s yellow suit adds to the already vivid setting ofBeetlejuice,and helps him stand out when him and his colleagues end up barging into the real world. Their appearance scaring Rory and Winter River’s young trick-or-treaters highlights how a boring outfit can be made unforgettable.
9Delia’s Striped Glove Outfit
Chic And On-Brand
AnotherBeetlejuiceoutfit that deserves a bit more attention is Delia’s striped glove look from the original 1988 movie. For context, this is the costume she wears at the dinner table which consists of a black and white striped blouse and a black glove twisted into her hair as an accessory.While Delia often shows off an eclectic taste in theBeetlejuicemovies, this is one of her best outfitsbecause of its ties to the movie’s villain, Betelgeuse.
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Catherine O’Hara pitched a different ending for Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but this plan would have gone against the 1988 film’s themes.
Whether Delia knows it or not, this outfit reflects the sensibilities of the demon taking over her house. Her striped blouse, though littered with smaller design details, is incredibly reminiscent of Betelgeuse’s iconic striped look. Plus, this costume gets extra points for creativity, as her glove headband is very unique and fashionable. Overall,this Delia outfit fits perfectly into the odd world ofBeetlejuice.
8Lydia’s Ghost House Costume
A New But Familiar Side Of Lydia
One of the very first costumes audiences see inBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis that of Lydia Deetz while she is hosting her new show, “Ghost House.” In this scene,Lydia wears a simple black dress with a plunging neckline and a big belt. She also has a thin black ribbon tied around her neck and has her hair in the sharp gothic style that became so notable in the 1988 movie. At first glance, this outfit isn’t anything special, but it’s the meaning behind it that is significant.
Lydia’s Ghost House look reflects the fact that, no matter how old she is, Lydia will always be completely herself, especially when it comes to fashion.
What makes Lydia’s Ghost House outfit so awesome is that it is the viewer’s first look atLydia Deetz all grown up. In the originalBeetlejuice,she is nothing more than a small teenage girl with a big personality. Now, she is a grown woman with a job and a child. Yet, this doesn’t prevent her from being her spooky self. Lydia’s Ghost House look reflects the fact that, no matter how old she is,Lydia will always be completely herself, especially when it comes to fashion.
7Astrid’s Marie Curie Halloween Costume
Quirky And Telling
ThroughoutBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,Astrid has a few cute outfits that show off her personality, but none are as telling as her Halloween costume.Astrid wears a shimmery gray dress with a high lace neck to portray Marie Curie, the real-life Polish-French scientist whose discoveries about radioactivity ultimately led to her death. This outfit is undoubtedly pretty, but it also says a lot about Astrid as a character.
Astrid is played by Jenna Ortega inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.Notably, Ortega previously worked with Tim Burton on the Netflix series,Wednesday.
Astrid’s main conflict inBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis her distrust of Lydia and her psychic abilities.Astrid doesn’t believe in what Lydia can do, and as a result, only puts her faith in science, facts, and things she can see with her own two eyes. This makes her Marie Curie costume absolutely perfect. Not only is Curie a scientific figure, but her beliefs end up risking her life. The same scenario happens toAstrid when Jeremy tricks herinto the afterlife.
6Wolf Jackson’s Afterlife Look
Eerie Yet Whimsical
An amazing addition toBeetlejuice Beetlejuicewas Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson. Jackson is portrayed as an afterlife detective who really only holds the position because he played one on TV during his life. The character stands out, not only because of his melodramatic actions, but also because of his look.Jackson wears a regular suit, but has a chunk of his skull missing, putting his greenish-blue brains on display.
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Jackson’s costume design is great because it works for the creepy yet whimsical natureof theBeetlejuicemovies. The films definitely have their fair share of scares and gore, but all of it is done in good fun. If anything, it is more artistic than it is horrifying. Jackson’s brains are a perfect example of this atmosphere. He is most certainly a member of the afterlife from a single glance, but without being overly frightening or unsettling.
5Lydia’s Black Floppy Hat Outfit
Unique And Special
ThoughBeetlejuice Beetlejuicebenefited from a large budget and modern-day resources, the originalBeetlejuicehad plenty of outfits that have remained prominent in popular culture even 30 years later. One of these is Lydia’s black floppy hat look. In the first movie,Lydia arrives at the Maitland’s house wearing a loose black dress and a giant black hat, with a camera in her hands. This is viewers' first glimpse at Lydia, and it’s incredibly telling. Lydia is not like other teenagers.
In reality, this costume showcases what makes Lydia such a great character
In reality,this costume showcases what makes Lydia such a great character. The archetype of a moody teenager is a classic trope in Hollywood, but Lydia isn’t bound to this stereotype. She may be angsty, but she is also dynamic and distinct. She wears elaborate black outfits and keeps her bangs in sharp spikes. She is curious and resentful, resourceful and caring. Though this outfit may be just clothing, it is an early hint at the depths Lydia’s character holds.
4Betelgeuse’s Burgundy Wedding Tux
Different And Thematic
It should be no surprise that some of the most recognizable costumes from theBeetlejuicefranchise come from Betelgeuse himself. One of these looks is his burgundy wedding tuxedo from the 1988 movie.When Betelgeuse tricks Lydia into marrying him, he changes into this maroon suit with a ruffly white shirtand a big bow tie. The suit is perfect for the period and also for the character wearing it.
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The thing about Betelgeuse is that he is not affected by societal expectationsor rules of etiquette. He is a demon from a totally different world who wants nothing more than to cause chaos. In this way, his burgundy suit is perfect. It is untraditional and slightly ugly, but also eccentric enough to fit this larger-than-life character. It also matches perfectly with Lydia’s own red wedding dress. Thus, this costume makes 100% sense in the movie.
3Delores' Black Wedding Dress
Dramatic And Bold
Another stand-out look fromBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis Delores’s black wedding dress.Delores is Betelgeuse’s former loverand wife who attempted to kill him by sucking out his soul. Betelgeuse was able to defeat her at the time, but inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,she is back with a vendetta. Throughout the movie, Delores shows off a number of gorgeous outfits, but her black wedding dress is by far the best.
Betelgeuse and Lydia
Betelgeuse and Delores
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
No
The black wedding dress is amazing, first and foremost, because of its beautiful design. It has delicate chiffon sleeves, a sparkly corset, and a flowing black skirt that is reminiscent of ballgowns and princesses.Delores' wedding dress also has significance to the story. For a franchise with so many marriages, no one ever wears white on their special day. Like Lydia, Delores wears an unconventional wedding dress that is black like her soul and suits her to the fullest extent.
2Lydia’s Red Wedding Dress
Bright And Symbolic
Speaking ofLydia’s wedding dress, this has to be one of the greatest costumes in theBeetlejuicefranchise.When Betelgeuse and Lydia are about to be married, the teen wears a poofy red wedding dresswith various layers and polka dots on the fabric. On top of that, her hair is teased in a look resembling the Bride of Frankenstein. This is the kind of outfit that is so distinct, it is simply meant to be remembered. It is the ideal look for a goth teen about to be forcibly married to an undead demon.
This is the kind of outfit that is so distinct, it is simply meant to be remembered.
What makes this outfit even better is that it returns inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.Lydia once again promises to marry Betelgeusein order to save Astrid. In one of the movie’s very best scenes, the demon orchestrates an intense musical number celebrating his upcoming marriage. Lydia is snapped back into her red wedding dress, while her family are forced to sing and dance along. It is wild, colorful and completely nostalgic. It is the perfect reference to the original film.
1Betelgeuse’s Pinstripe Suit
The Most Iconic Look
The most iconic look from theBeetlejuicemovies has to be Betelgeuse’s black and white pinstripe suit. While both movies offer up incredible costumes, this is the most timeless and the most unforgettable. It is Betelgeuse’s greatest outfit, distinctive and memorable in the best way. It reflects the character’s kooky nature, while also sticking to a rather simple color scheme. Back, white, and green can be automatically attributed to this franchise and its hilariously deranged villain.
It seems likely thatBetelgeuse’s suit will remain a symbol for quite a long time.It clearly persisted enough to merit makingBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,so it is probably going to stay in the public consciousness for years to come. Honestly, it deserves the acclaim.Beetlejuiceis a very special franchise that prioritizes strong storytelling and the strangest facets of our lives.
Beetlejuice
Cast
Tim 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 pass 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.
Beetlejuice 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 joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
