Are you throwing a Beetlejuice-themed Halloween party? Between the original 1988 classic and the 2024 sequel that grossed over $451 million worldwide, there has never been a better time to throw a Netherworld-inspired celebration. These Beetlejuice party ideas will help you pull off a spooky gathering worthy of the Ghost with the Most.
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Key Takeaways
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Black and white stripes are your foundation — use them on tablecloths, balloons, and cake designs for an instantly recognizable party theme.
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A DIY photo booth is the most-shared element at Beetlejuice parties, and you can set one up with a striped backdrop, green wigs, and a homemade "Handbook for the Recently Deceased" prop.
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The 2024 sequel adds fresh costumes and decor options — Astrid, Wolf Jackson, and Dolores give guests new Beetlejuice-themed character choices beyond the classic Beetlejuice and Lydia looks.
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Officially licensed merchandise doubles as Halloween party decorations and party favors — items like the Sandworm LED Mood Light or Memory Master Card Game capture the theme and keep guests entertained.
10 Spooky But Awesome Beetlejuice Party Ideas
1. Prepare Beetlejuice-Themed Invites
Setting the supernatural mood starts the moment your guests receive their invitations — and we've been helping fans celebrate their favorite franchises for over 15 years here at Toynk.
The best way to establish your party's otherworldly atmosphere is by creating Beetlejuice party invitations featuring the iconic black and white stripes of Beetlejuice's suit.
Creative invitation ideas that work:
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Design invitations to resemble obituary notices or pages from the "Handbook for the Recently Deceased"
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Include brief audio clips of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" in digital invites
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Use sandworms and shrimp imagery, as seen in the movie
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Showcase favorite Beetlejuice quotes like "It's Showtime!" or "Troubled by the living?"
Send invitations 3-4 weeks in advance for costume parties, giving guests time to plan their supernatural transformations. Be sure to explore some ideas online (such as Pinterest or a blog post) and attempt to recreate them.
2. Use Beetlejuice Party Decorations
Transform your space into the Netherworld by displaying your creative side using Beetlejuice party decorations!
Essential decoration elements:
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Strategic lighting: Use purple and green LED strips behind black and white backdrops for depth
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Dimensional white stripes: Create textured stripe patterns using fabric draping or vinyl decals
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Iconic scenes: Recreate memorable movie moments on staircases, mantles, and doorways
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Character representations: Include horse figurines and supernatural waiting room elements
You can decorate your house to portray iconic scenes from the movie. Be it the staircase or mantle, these spots will surely make the perfect party backdrop.
Paint your pumpkins with black and white stripes and include your favorite Beetlejuice quote from the movie, like "Never trust the living!"
3. Make Black & White The Dominant Color
Most importantly, use black and white stripes as the dominant color for your Beetlejuice party decorations to represent the ghost with the most.
From the table set up to the decorations, you can never go wrong with the colors black and white!
Color scheme strategy:
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Primary palette: Black and white stripes for all major elements
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Accent colors: Strategic green touches representing Betelgeuse's moldy hair
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Purple accents: Add supernatural atmosphere with lighting or small decorative elements
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Texture variation: Layer different materials to avoid flat, monotonous appearance
Then, put in variation by using the color green to liven up your party, representing Betelgeuse's moldy hair in the movie.
The same goes for your party attire — dress up like Betelgeuse and put on wacky green hair!
You can buy these on Toynk, where we've curated authentic collections for true fans.
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4. Display Spooky Striped Beetlejuice Cake
Your party won't be complete without a spooky striped Beetlejuice cake! Put your baking skills to the test and use striped pumpkins on your Beetlejuice cake.
Cake design ideas:
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Classic stripes: Perfect black and white horizontal or vertical patterns
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Green ganache drip: Creates that authentic moldy, supernatural look
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Themed toppers: Shrimp cake decorations or fondant sandworm sculptures
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Multi-tiered options: Different supernatural elements on each level
To make it look unusual, use green ganache for the drip cake and top it with shrimp cake toppers (available for purchase on Amazon).
You can also create sandworm decorations using fondant or purchase themed cake toppers from specialty retailers.
5. Serve Beetlejuice-Inspired Party Food
Delight your guests by making Beetlejuice party food inspired by the movie, like the attacking shrimp meals from the Day-O scene [1]!
Apart from shrimp, you can also provide the following Beetlejuice party food to step up the dining experience:
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Dirt Floats & Worm Cupcakes
Make dirty floats using Coke, ice cream, chocolate syrups, and crushed cookies. For the worm cupcakes, you can use fondant or an edible topper.
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Black & White Beetlejuice Truffles
Aside from the iconic shrimp meals from the movie, you can also use store-bought truffles to include a Beetlejuice dessert on your menu.
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Halloween Candy Charcuterie Board
Don't forget to provide a Halloween candy charcuterie board that kids will certainly love. This party food is the perfect treat for those with sweet tooths. Also, ensure to include worm and shrimp candies for your charcuterie board.
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Beetlejuice Cookies & Pastries
Add Beetlejuice party food like cookies and pastries to complete your sweet table corner. For a spooky sweet snack, a Betelguese severed finger cookie is a great choice.
6. Serve Beetlejuice Cocktails
Serve Beetlejuice cocktails on the table for a fun-filled gathering or Halloween night.
Beetlejuice cocktails are the perfect drink for a uniquely strange yet delightful event. This will give everyone the fun night they’ve always wanted!
To make these cocktails, mix cranberry juice and the liquors you love. Once you have a green, bluish, and red cocktail mixture, put a lime or cucumber ribbon for garnish.
So start mixing and sipping weird cocktails while you watch this classic movie. But what will happen if you say Beetlejuice three times?
7. Wear Beetlejuice Character Costumes
Themed parties won't be fun without dressing up as your favorite characters!
Popular character costume options:
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Betelgeuse: Classic black and white striped suit with wild green hair and decay makeup
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Lydia Deetz: Gothic black dress with dramatic makeup and accessories
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Adam & Barbara Maitland: Coordinated couples' costumes perfect for pairs
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Supporting characters: Juno, Delia Deetz, or supernatural waiting room entities
Show your inner Betelgeuse by wearing a black and white striped suit and sporting a disheveled look.
Dress up like Adam by wearing a check shirt or a floral dress like Barbara. If you're in for a spooky night, put on the headless-like head of Adam or a gothic outfit to display your love for Lydia!
Contemporary costume approaches balance authenticity with accessibility — not everyone needs elaborate special effects makeup to participate meaningfully in the supernatural celebration.
8. Prepare Beetlejuice-Inspired Party Games
Party games inspired by the iconic scenes from the movie will surely give your guests a good time. You can prepare a sandworm race game that is ideal for all ages.
Have charades or guessing games, and list some Beetlejuice quotes from the movie. Check out our favorite Beetlejuice quotes here.
9. Give Beetlejuice-Inspired Party Favors
To cap off the night, give away Beetlejuice party favors! Use a white paper bag and turn it into Betelgeuse's iconic striped suit. Then, add anything green to mimic his moldy hair.
Memorable takeaway ideas:
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Zagnut bars: The authentic movie connection fans will appreciate
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Custom striped accessories: Socks, keychains, or small home decor items
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DIY craft kits: Materials for guests to create their supernatural mementos
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Personalized packaging: Transform favor bags into functional, themed containers
Send off your guests to the land of the living with some quirky and wickedly interesting treats.
You can give them merch, like a pair of black and white striped socks and a Zagnut bar to eat as they head home.
Contemporary party favor strategies focus on items guests will use and appreciate, extending the party experience beyond the immediate celebration.
10. Build a Beetlejuice Party Playlist
Music sets the tone for the entire event, and a playlist practically builds itself when you're hosting a Halloween party in the spirit of the Netherworld.
Must-have tracks:
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"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte — the absolute non-negotiable. This is the song from the iconic dinner scene that captures everyone's attention
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Danny Elfman's score — perfect background atmosphere music that keeps the spooky vibe alive
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"Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" by Harry Belafonte — the closing credits song that keeps the energy up
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Gothic rock for vibe: Bauhaus, The Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees fit the Tim Burton aesthetic
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Halloween staples: "Monster Mash," "Thriller," and scores from other Tim Burton films round out the playlist
Play the playlist on shuffle during the party and cue up "Day-O" for a group singalong when the energy peaks. This classic never fails to get a room moving.
FAQs
Is a Beetlejuice Party Only for Halloween?
Not at all. While Halloween is the most popular time to throw a Beetlejuice-themed party, the 2024 sequel sparked a surge in birthday parties year-round. The striped color scheme works for any season, and you can tone down the spooky elements for a gathering that focuses more on the film's humor and quirky characters. Cookie decorating stations and photo booths work especially well for birthday party settings where children are on the guest list.
Won't Younger Guests Be Scared of Beetlejuice Parties?
Not necessarily. Although the original film leans into horror comedy, Tim Burton's playful directorial style keeps most of it lighthearted. You can adjust the intensity by using less spooky costumes and decorations and focusing on the funnier elements. Use simple striped decor and fun food themes rather than heavy gore effects, and the party works for a broad age range. Kids often end up loving the sandworm and striped elements more than the spooky stuff.
What Is the Best Beetlejuice Party Game for Adults?
For adult gatherings, a trivia night paired with Beetlejuice-themed cocktails is hard to beat. The Memory Master Card Game is another strong option — it's easy to learn in 5 minutes but stays competitive for 30 minutes. Costume contests also tend to be a highlight at adult Halloween parties, especially with the new sequel characters adding more styles to explore.
How Do I Throw a Beetlejuice Party on a Budget?
Focus on DIY decorations and smart planning. White streamers twisted with black crepe paper are the most cost-effective way to create a striped backdrop. Pool noodle sandworms, homemade props, and printed food labels cost very little. Throw in a few balloons in purple and green to fill the space, and you've already nailed the party theme without overspending. Invest in one or two statement pieces — like the Sandworm LED Mood Light — that you can reuse as home decor long after the rest of the party is over.
It's Showtime
The key to hosting a successful Beetlejuice Halloween party lies in balancing authentic thematic elements with guest comfort and participation. We've seen how the right combination of decorations, activities, and themed merchandise helps fans throw unforgettable Halloween parties that friends and family talk about long after the night ends. With the original film's enduring pop culture legacy and the 2024 sequel's record-breaking success, we hope these ideas provide more inspiration than ever.
Bring home the Beetlejuice "Never Trust The Living" Camper Mug and watch Tim Burton's films while sipping on your favorite drink.
If you haven't found the perfect piece for your spooky gathering, explore our full selection of Beetlejuice collectibles and party essentials. Whether you're planning a Halloween night watch party or a full-blown themed event, we're thrilled to help you create something memorable.
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References:
- https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/beetlejuice-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-michael-keaton-movie
- https://screenrant.com/beetlejuice-tim-burton-behind-scenes-facts-trivia/
