What is the Age Rating for Beetlejuice 2?

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is almost here, and with the movie getting rave reviews, audiences are curious about what to expect. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the MPAA has given the film a PG-13 rating. This is due to “Macabre and Bloody Images, Brief Drug Use, Some Suggestive Material, Strong Language, and Violent Content.” This rating makes the movie slightly too mature for younger children, which is a shift from the original “Beetlejuice,” which was rated PG. In England, the film has received a 12A rating, meaning that no one under 12 will be admitted without an adult.

Anyone who has seen the movie’s trailers can confirm that these elements are present even in the promotional material. One scene shows Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) opening his shirt to reveal worms spilling out of his wide-open guts in front of Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) and her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux). Another clip depicts Beetlejuice’s origin story, including how he died. It features him rolling around on a bed with his wife Delores (Monica Bellucci), who then poisons him. Beetlejuice retaliates by taking an axe to her body, although this act is mainly implied. Another trailer hints at Beetlejuice’s possible future death, showing Delores sucking the soul out of a ghost, following an implied animal sacrifice during their ceremony.

Given these elements, it’s easy to see how the film might include some curse words, drug use, more violence, and some risqué material. After all, the original “Beetlejuice” wasn’t exactly aimed at younger audiences either.

Although the original “Beetlejuice” was rated PG, it featured a considerable amount of adult content. The film centers on newlyweds Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who die shortly after their wedding. Scenes include ghosts ripping their faces off, face shape-shifting into birdlike death masks, spirits rapidly aging and disintegrating, and other grotesque moments. And let’s not forget the scene where an underaged Lydia is nearly forced to marry Beetlejuice.

The film also didn’t shy away from adult humor. Beetlejuice is seen entering a brothel on the other side, exclaiming “Here I come, baby.” He also grabs his groin and shouts, “Nice f***ing model!” It’s not all “Banana Boat Song” sing-alongs and giant striped snakes. While children might have missed these moments, adults certainly noticed them. With “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” set to hit theaters on September 6, fans can look forward to more of the same naughty humor.