Do you need to watch the original Beetlejuice to enjoy the new sequel?

The ghost with the most is back after over three decades and all eyes are on Tim Burton and co. to see if they can make another instant classic. Beetlejuice debuted in 1988 and saw both critical and financial success, and though there have been talks from the cast about making a sequel for years now, it's not until today that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is finally available to watch. I'm usually against sequels to beloved movies like this, but considering original cast members Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara are back, it's been hard to contain my excitement.

The original Beetlejuice follows a married couple Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam (Alec Baldwin) who, after a major car crash, die but don't know it. Through a book called The Handbook for the Recently Deceased, they realize what's happened, and are forced to protect their home when newcomers buy it and move in. All they can do is scare the new family away, but without much experience as ghosts, they're left to make the desperate decision to summon someone named Betelgeuse (Keaton) to help.

You don't need to watch Beetlejuice before Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but you should

Heading into the sequel, which takes place 36 years after the events of the original film, you're probably wondering if you need prior knowledge of the story. And while you'll definitely be able to understand Beetlejuice Beetlejuice without having seen the first, the chances that you'll enjoy it are much, much lower. The plot lines in the sequel are not difficult to understand, so knowing what happens in the first is not essential for comprehension, but the movie will be much more special and heartfelt if you do.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows Lydia Deetz's (Ryder) life in the present day, now a mother to a teenage daughter named Astrid (Jenna Ortega). After Lydia's father Charles passes away, the family gathers back at the home where it all began in Winter River, Connecticut for the funeral services, including Lydia's eccentric stepmother Delia (O'Hara). When Astrid is put in danger and Lydia is left desperate for help, she's forced to call upon Betelgeuse to assist her, which, of course, turns into chaos. Very, very entertaining chaos!

There are many nostalgic references to the original film and fun Easter eggs throughout which you would miss if you haven't seen Beetlejuice. Betelgeuse's sense of humor could also get annoying if you aren't familiar with the first movie, and some of his jokes may go over your head. Multiple characters from the original show up in the sequel, and though you might enjoy their roles, it won't feel as exciting if you don't know them already.

And if you have seen Beetlejuice but it's been a long time, I'd still recommend a rewatch before the sequel. Betelgeuse himself rewatched the first movie in preparation for the second, with Keaton recalling (per USA Today) of his experience: "I immediately started laughing, like I was a fan. I even laughed at what I did. I went, ‘Oh, that's really funny.'" Who can blame him?

Beetlejuice is my favorite horror-comedy I grew up watching, and with a short 92-minute runtime, there should be nothing stopping you from watching it before Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The original is currently streaming on Max, so consider watching it tonight before heading to the movie theaters this weekend. Trust me, you'll thank me later!

You can buy tickets for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on Fandango here. Waiting to catch the sequel on streaming? Because it's a Warner Bros. movie, we can expect it to be released on Max at some point in the coming months.

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