Random Insane And Horrifying Scenes In ‘Beetlejuice’ That Were Impossible To Understand As A Child (12 items)

(#7) There Were Dead People Watching The Same Movie You Were

As Adam and Barbara talk with Juno (Sylvia Sidney), behind them, we see a window. Peering into that window from the other side is a movie theater full of dead people who are eating popcorn and enjoying the show.

There are skeletons, an old-timey-looking woman in a gown, and even the Blues Brothers in their trademark suits and sunglasses. So deceased people watched the same movie you were from both the literal and figurative "other side."
(#2) Beetlejuice Tries To Marry A Teenager

The whole red wedding scene is dark. Beetlejuice, the old, creepy guy, marries Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), the teenager. She's wearing a red wedding dress, which is a reference to an old Victorian superstition: Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead. This makes sense, considering the groom is already expired, and the bride is sort of obsessed with the concept.

Moments later, when he puts the ring on Lydia's finger, we see the jewelry still attached to the finger of his ex. "I'm tellin' ya, honey, she meant nothin' to me," Beetlejuice tells Lydia. But the ex is gone, he still has her finger in his pocket, and he's marrying a goth teenager.
(#1) Beetlejuice Goes To Dante's Inferno Room, AKA A Gentlemen's Club

At one point in the film, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) is distracted in a model town built by Adam (Alec Baldwin). He encounters what appears to be a strip club, though there is no hint of nudity or inappropriateness.

The strip club's name is Dante's Inferno Room. You know, Dante's Inferno. That classic poem about a journey through the nine circles of Hell - not exactly a lighthearted romp for kiddies.
(#10) The Dance Scene To Harry Belafonte's 'Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)'

It's arguably the most famous scene in the film; it may even be one of the most memorable movie scenes of all time. The Deetzes - controlled by the spirits of Adam and Barbara - dance to Harry Belafonte's "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)."

When you think about why those stuffed-shirts are making all those wacky dance moves, it's incredibly unsettling.
(#12) Beetlejuice's Passing Is Unsettling - Even If He Is The Antihero

To save Lydia from marrying Beetlejuice, Barbara crashes into the house astride a sandworm. The sandworm then proceeds to eat Beetlejuice, ending the wedding. Beetlejuice is an antihero throughout the movie, and even though he's annoying and monstrous, he's also sometimes charming and even likable.

As a kid, it can be scary to watch a character like that get eaten by a giant worm.
(#5) Suicide Is Prevalent

Bubbling under the surface of a seemingly madcap and farcical movie is the constant theme of suicide. Caseworkers are people who died by it, the concept comes up during the dinner party conversation that eventually turns into the "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" dance fest, and Lydia writes a goodbye note.

And Beetlejuice used to be a caseworker, so this is also how he met his end.