The Iconic & Surreal Beetlejuice Movie Poster Origins

The Iconic Origins of the Beetlejuice Movie Poster

The 1988 Tim Burton horror-comedy film Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Winona Ryder was a huge pop culture success. One of the most iconic parts of the film's marketing was its surreal and striking teaser poster featuring the face of the "ghost with the most" Betelgeuse.

The Story Behind the Beetlejuice Poster

The Beetlejuice poster was designed by graphic artist John Alvin who created many famous movie posters like E.T., Blazing Saddles, and Grease. Tim Burton hired Alvin to create a poster that matched the offbeat and quirky tone of his film. Alvin's original concept featured a more realistic hand-drawn illustration of Michael Keaton as the character Betelgeuse.

However, Burton wanted something more graphic and simplistic. So Alvin came up with the extreme close-up of Keaton's face in white makeup with black rings around his eyes and lips. This iconic image would become instantly recognizable and a pop culture symbol for the character and the movie itself.

Unique Stylistic Elements

What makes the Beetlejuice poster so memorable are its unique stylistic elements. The extreme close-up of Keaton's face takes up most of the frame in a tight composition. His pale white skin and harsh black makeup creates a stark high-contrast image. The makeup design gives Keaton an almost skull-like appearance.

The title of the film is spelled out in an elaborate blood-red font at the top. This bloody lettering hints at the horror elements in the movie and matches the dark tones of the image. At the bottom in small font it says "The Afterlife's Leading Bio-Exorcist" giving viewers a taste of Keaton's quirky character and the film's supernatural premise.

Alvin used an airbrush technique to create the ghostly glowing effect around Keaton's profile. This ethereal lighting further adds to the poster's spooky aesthetics. Tiny details like the spider in Beetlejuice's hair and the film's release date in his eye add weirdness.

Impact on Pop Culture

The Beetlejuice poster immediately captured people's attention when it was first released. It stood out against more conventional posters at the time with its bizarre imagery. The poster appeared on the covers of several magazines and became massively popular. It became a major part of the film's marketing and built anticipation for its release.

Beetlejuice was a sleeper hit grossing over $73 million. Michael Keaton's portrayal of the manic trickster Beetlejuice left a huge impact on pop culture. The character spawned merchandise, a cartoon, and even a Broadway musical decades later. The poster remains one of the most defining images of the character and the film.

The poster inspired many parodies, fan art, and Halloween costumes. It became a poster that every Tim Burton fan or horror lover wanted to own. Over 30 years later the Beetlejuice poster is still widely recognizable and sold in stores. It encapsulates the movie's one-of-a-kind aesthetic that made Tim Burton famous.

A Lasting Icon of 80s Pop Culture

The Beetlejuice poster stands as a lasting icon of 80s pop culture. It captures the decade's tastes for edgier graphic horror-comedies. The poster's concept and execution was way ahead of its time. Its influence can be seen in many other stylized character posters decades later.

Tim Burton loved the poster so much he paid homage to it in his 2012 film Frankenweenie. In the movie, the central character recreates the Beetlejuice poster as a sculpture. This Easter egg was a fun nod to the poster that launched Burton's career into the mainstream.

Few movie posters have been as instantly iconic and impactful as the Beetlejuice teaser poster. It cemented Tim Burton's status as a visionary director and made Beetlejuice's Betelgeuse an unforgettable pop culture character. The poster will forever be remembered for its bizarre aesthetic and as a monumental piece of 80s movie memorabilia.

FAQs

Who designed the original Beetlejuice poster?

The original Beetlejuice teaser poster was designed by renowned illustrator John Alvin.

What was Tim Burton's reaction to the poster design?

Tim Burton loved the stark, graphic black-and-white poster design Alvin came up with. It perfectly matched the tone of his quirky horror-comedy film.

What makes the poster so memorable and iconic?

The extreme close-up of Michael Keaton's made-up face, the high contrast, and the bloody font all make the poster instantly recognizable.

Did Tim Burton pay homage to the poster later in his career?

Yes, in his 2012 film Frankenweenie, the main character recreates the Beetlejuice poster as a sculpture in the film.

Why was the poster so impactful in pop culture?

The poster stood out against conventional movie posters of the time. It captured the edgy, surreal tone of 80s pop culture that made the film a hit.