Wow, I never realized how wild Beetlejuice’s PG-rating really is as an adult

Beetlejuice is now a classic of the late 1980s and the fantasy horror genre, but now that I’ve rewatched it as an adult, I realize how absurd its PG rating really is. Although it is not Tim Burton’s directorial debut, Beetlejuice was the first film to truly showcase Burton’s visual and narrative style, along with the type of stories he would become famous for. Beetlejuice was released in 1988 and was a critical and commercial success, even winning the Oscar for Best Makeup at the 1989 Academy Awards.

Beetlejuice Follows Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis), a young married couple who die in a car accident but don’t realize it until they discover they can’t leave their home. When their house is sold to the Deetzes and they move in, the Maitlands call chaotic bio-exorcist Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to help them get rid of them, but they end up with the Deetzes’ teenage daughter, Lydia (Winona Ryder). Beetlejuice is a Burton classic loved by generations of viewers, but looking at it now, its PG rating is surprising and not quite fitting nowadays.

The PG-rating of the original Beetlejuice is very surprising after a rewatch

Beetlejuice probably should have a different rating

Beetlejuice It’s not a children’s movie, but back in 1988, it was heavily advertised to kids. It is now very clear for anyone who watches or rewatches Beetlejuice That it is not a movie you would let a child watch (or not without company), but many (myself included) watched Beetlejuice at a young age. Although I now love Beetlejuice And it’s one of my favorite Tim Burton movies, I admit that the bio-exorcist wasn’t exactly a friendly figure in my mind and I was scared of him, but I was drawn back to Beetlejuice For different reasons.

As a child, the darkest themes and moments in Beetlejuice We’re not clear, but they sure are now, which makes its PG rating so surprising. A PG rating means “Parental Guidance Suggested,” and is given to movies that may contain material parents may not want their young children to see, but Check out the topics and references at BeetlejuiceIt should have gotten a PG-13 rating. Among the elements in Beetlejuice What doesn’t quite match a PG rating are the references to suicide, sexual activity, harassment, Betelgeuse dropping an F-bomb and wanting to marry a 16-year-old girl.

on the other hand, the sequel, Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceGot a PG-13 ratingWhich is much more appropriate. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Also has its dose of sexual references, mentions of death, murder, manipulation, and more. Although this does not change the fun experience that is watching BeetlejuiceIts rating comes as a surprise when rewatching it as an adult and thus with a better understanding of its jokes, references and the MPA’s rating system.

Beetlejuice proves how much movie ratings have changed since 1988

Beetlejuice came out at a very different time

The PG-13 rating was introduced in 1984 after movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom And Gremlins are criticized for getting a PG rating. However, despite a PG-13 already introduced by then, Beetlejuice Still got a PG rating. While it can be argued to an extent that these were different times and society has certainly changed a lot, this is more about how movie ratings have changed since the late 1980s.

What the MPA sees as suitable or unsuitable for a young audience is in constant change And ratings will more often than not create debate. Ultimately, it is difficult to determine what is appropriate for a specific audience and what is not as other factors come into play, such as education, personal experiences, family, and more. What’s for sure is that, if Beetlejuice was released today, it would receive a PG-13 rating rather than PG.