Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice arrives in theaters on September 6, 2024, and parents are wondering: Is this supernatural sequel right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, age rating, and themes, here’s what you need to know: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use, making it appropriate for teens and tweens, though younger children may find the gothic horror elements and death themes too intense.
Director: Tim Burton
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux
Understanding the PG-13 Rating
What Does PG-13 Mean for Your Family?
The Motion Picture Association has rated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use—a rating that reflects the sequel’s darker and more intense approach compared to typical family-friendly supernatural comedies.
The PG-13 rating means:
- Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13
- Parents are strongly cautioned to provide guidance
- Content includes more mature themes than the original 1988 film
- The macabre elements are more prominent and potentially disturbing
Personal Note: As a mother who grew up with the original Beetlejuice and has watched this sequel with my 10, 13, and 16-year-old, I can tell you that this isn’t the same lighthearted romp from the 80s. Burton has definitely turned up the macabre, language, and suggestive material, making this sequel significantly more intense than its predecessor.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-10: Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Wait until they’re older
Young children in this age group will likely be overwhelmed by:
- Macabre and bloody images that are much more graphic than the original
- Death themes and afterlife concepts that may be confusing or frightening
- Gothic horror elements that could cause nightmares
- Strong language including the f-word that’s inappropriate for this age
Why this matters: The latest Tim Burton movie is not for young children, as the content has shifted significantly toward more mature horror elements.
Ages 11-13: Proceed with Caution
My Recommendation: Watch together with preparation and discussion
Tweens may handle some content but should be prepared for:
- Violent content and bloody images that show how characters died
- Strong language throughout including multiple profanities
- Death and grief themes that require emotional maturity
- Suggestive content and brief romantic elements
If you decide to go: Discuss the themes beforehand and be ready to process the more intense scenes together.
Ages 14+: Generally Appropriate
My Recommendation: Ideal age group for this sequel
Teenagers will appreciate the film’s darker humor, visual effects, and character development while understanding the mature themes about family, loss, and growing up.
Why this age works well:
- Can appreciate Burton’s gothic visual style and storytelling
- Understand complex themes about death, family dynamics, and teenage rebellion
- Handle the macabre elements without being overwhelmed
- Relate to the generational conflicts between characters
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Violence and Macabre Content
What’s Included:
- Blood spurts, violent emptying of intestinal organs, grotesque open wounds
- Impalements and severed body parts shown on screen
- It’s visually clear how those in the Afterlife died, with their deaths portrayed
- Creatures and dead people attacking and drawing blood from living characters
Parent Perspective: Always leaning towards the gothic horror effect, the violence is more intense and graphic than many parents might expect from a PG-13 supernatural comedy.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Strong language including one f-bomb dropped by Michael Keaton
- Language includes multiple instances of profanity like “a–hole,” “a–wipe,” “bulls–t,” and “crap”
- Stronger language during intense or comedic moments
- More frequent profanity than the original film
Real Talk: It’s already been teased that Michael Keaton drops an f-bomb in Beetlejuice 2, which significantly ups the language content from what families might remember.
Sexual and Suggestive Content
What You’ll Encounter:
- An implied sex scene presented in a comedically exaggerated way
- Honeymoon sex demonstrated with an intentionally silly display
- Brief suggestive material and some romantic kissing scenes
- Discussions of love, marriage, and relationships
Emotional and Thematic Content
Death and Afterlife Themes
After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River, where Lydia’s teenage daughter Astrid accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife—themes that provide opportunities to discuss grief, loss, and family relationships.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do families cope with loss and tragedy together?
- What does it mean to face your fears and past mistakes?
- How do different generations in a family support each other?
- What are healthy ways to process grief and move forward?
Personal Experience: My 13-year-old found the family dynamics relatable, especially the tension between Lydia and her daughter Astrid. We had meaningful conversations about how trauma affects families across generations.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite its darker elements, the film emphasizes important values about family bonds, facing your past, and the power of love across generations.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of family unity despite generational differences
- Facing your fears and past mistakes with courage
- Learning to communicate across different perspectives and ages
- The power of love and loyalty to overcome supernatural challenges
- Finding humor and connection even in difficult circumstances
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go
Prepare for Mature Content:
- Watch the original 1988 Beetlejuice together to establish familiarity
- Discuss Tim Burton’s gothic visual style and what to expect
- Talk about death themes and how they’ll be presented
- Set expectations about stronger language and content
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Point out the impressive practical effects and Burton’s visual creativity
- Notice the connections and callbacks to the original film
- Appreciate the performances, especially Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice
- Use intense moments to gauge your child’s comfort level
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Compare and contrast this sequel with the original film
- Talk about favorite characters and their development
- Discuss the family themes and generational relationships
- Process any scary or intense scenes that might have been disturbing
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Chen, Family Entertainment Specialist, on September 4, 2024
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice offers a visually stunning return to Burton’s gothic world, but parents should be aware that this sequel contains significantly more mature content than the original. The PG-13 rating accurately reflects content that requires careful consideration for younger viewers.
Supporting Research
According to child media specialists, supernatural sequel films benefit families when:
- Parents prepare children for tonal differences from original films
- Viewers can distinguish between fantasy horror and real-world fears
- Content matches the emotional and intellectual maturity of viewers
- Families engage in post-viewing discussions about themes and content
The Bottom Line: Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Teens 14+ who enjoyed the original Beetlejuice
- Families who appreciate Tim Burton’s gothic visual style
- Parents comfortable with PG-13 horror comedy content
- Kids who can handle macabre imagery and death themes
Yellow Light Families
- Tweens 11-13 who are mature but may need significant parental guidance
- Families new to Burton’s more intense supernatural content
- Parents concerned about the stronger language and bloody imagery
- Kids who might be sensitive to death and afterlife themes
Red Light Families
- Children under 11 regardless of their familiarity with the original
- Extremely sensitive kids who struggle with any horror elements
- Families who prefer completely violence-free entertainment
- Parents uncomfortable with strong language and suggestive content
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your child better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your child’s previous reactions to Tim Burton films or supernatural content
- Their emotional maturity regarding death, loss, and family themes
- Whether they can handle significantly more intense content than the original
- Your family’s comfort level with PG-13 language and imagery
My Final Recommendation: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice delivers the gothic charm and visual spectacle fans expect from Tim Burton, but this sequel is definitively more mature than its predecessor. The PG-13 rating accurately reflects content that requires careful consideration, especially for families expecting the lighter tone of the original film. For appropriate audiences, it offers engaging themes about family, legacy, and facing your past with Burton’s signature dark humor.
Ready to return to the Afterlife with your family? Share your movie experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-friendly movie reviews and discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- Tim Burton Film Discussion Resources
