Legacy sequels have been more popular than ever in recent years, like the cinema-saving Top Gun: Maverick, headlined by Tom Cruise. Two years ago, one of the most hotly anticipated legacy sequels made its box office debut, haunting up a frighteningly good global haul. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice earned an enormous $451 million, split between a domestic haul of $294 million and a further $157 million from overseas markets, becoming Tim Burton's highest-grossing film in 15 years.

The return of Michael Keaton's iconic Ghost With the Most was one of the highlights of the second half of 2024 in theaters, with Wednesday's Jenna Ortega adding the perfect fresh blood to a largely returning cast. "Rife with nostalgia, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is intended for '80s babies," wrote Martin Tsai in his review of the movie for Collider, calling it a "return to form" for Burton. But as high as the praise was for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it simply couldn't live up to the original in the eyes of most fans.

The story of Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis), who return to their home to haunt the new family who moved in after they fatefully drown in a car accident, is the stuff of Halloween legend. Burton at his practical best, the film is packed with inventive visuals and memorable performances, as well as one of the best impromptu musical numbers ever. As we inch closer to spooky season, Burton's gothic masterpiece is proving popular again. At the time of writing, Beetlejuice is one of the ten most-streamed movies on HBO Max in the U.S.

A New Fantasy Legacy Sequel Is Hitting Theaters

This weekend, after almost three decades away, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian, in Practical Magic 2. The generational curse is once again getting the duo in trouble, although this time they are the experienced duo, with Sally's daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), in the firing line. Although reviews for Practical Magic 2 have been mixed, it still makes for a perfectly fantastical start to the fall season.

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