In the wake of the 2026 Emmy Awards, where Widow's Bay took home top honors, viewers are flocking to a familiar yet timeless source of supernatural comedy: Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. The Apple TV+ hit, which blends small-town charm with ghostly antics, has drawn inevitable comparisons to Burton's 1988 breakthrough, and now that film is climbing HBO Max's streaming charts, proving its enduring appeal.
Beetlejuice tells the story of the Maitlands, a deceased couple who haunt their former home and try to scare off the obnoxious Deetzes, a family from the city. What follows is a whirlwind of laughs, chills, and inventive visuals that have influenced countless filmmakers. The film's structure is deceptively simple, but its execution is flawless, with Michael Keaton's titular character stealing every scene he's in—despite limited screen time—and cementing his status as a comedic force.
Burton's signature style—gothic imagery, canted angles, and a blend of German Expressionism and slapstick—is on full display. The film's stop-motion effects and miniature sets were a nod to Ray Harryhausen, and its comedic influences range from the Looney Tunes to the Marx Brothers. This unique fusion creates a tone that is both hilarious and unsettling, a balance that Widow's Bay and other modern hybrids strive to achieve.
The legacy of Beetlejuice extends far beyond its initial release. The 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reunited Burton with Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, and the franchise has spawned a cartoon series and endless merchandise. Ryder's Lydia Deetz, in particular, became an icon for disaffected youth, embodying the outsider spirit that Burton would explore in later films like Edward Scissorhands.
But beneath the zany humor lies a melancholic core. The film speaks to anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, and Lydia's fascination with death is both morbid and profound. Yet Beetlejuice never takes itself too seriously, allowing audiences to find their own meaning in its absurdity.
As we look ahead to September 2026, Beetlejuice remains a must-watch for fans of Widow's Bay and anyone seeking a masterclass in comedy-horror. Its influence can be seen in this year's best comedy shows, and its streaming resurgence is a testament to its timelessness. Whether you're revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, the juice is still loose.
For those who want to explore more of Burton's work, his take on Charlie is leaving Netflix soon, so catch it while you can. And if you're in the mood for another supernatural comedy, Netflix's The Residence might be your next obsession.
