Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is one of those rare films that has stood the test of time—quirky, creepy, and endlessly creative. The 1988 original not only gave us Michael Keaton’s chaotic ghost but also brought to life a fictional small town that felt both ordinary and magical. Over 35 years later, Burton returned with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), blending nostalgia with fresh locations to expand the spooky world of the Deetz family.
Let’s take a tour through the filming locations of both movies and see how real-life places shaped the fantastical world of Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice (1988) – Creating Winter River
The original Beetlejuice was filmed in two key places: a quiet Vermont village for the exterior shots and a California studio for the surreal interiors.
- East Corinth, Vermont – This tiny town in Orange County became the fictional “Winter River, Connecticut.” The production built the iconic Deetz/Maitland house on a hill overlooking the village. It was just an exterior shell, dismantled after filming, but the image of that lonely house against rolling Vermont hills is unforgettable. Local landmarks like the general store, Masonic Hall, and Miss Shannon’s School for Girls also appeared in the movie.
- Culver Studios, Culver City, California – All interior scenes were shot here, including the whimsical transformations of the Maitland home and the unforgettable Netherworld waiting room. Burton leaned into practical effects and exaggerated sets, giving the film its handmade, gothic look.
The contrast between serene Vermont landscapes and surreal California-built interiors perfectly matched the film’s darkly comic tone.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) – Returning to Winter River
For the sequel, Burton and his team returned to Vermont—but this time, they expanded the story across new locations in both the U.S. and the U.K.
- East Corinth, Vermont – The crew rebuilt the Deetz house and recreated much of Winter River, staying true to the original while updating details for the new storyline. Locals welcomed the return, with fans visiting the set daily.
- Melrose, Massachusetts – Additional small-town exteriors were filmed here, adding variety to Winter River’s look.
- Leavesden Studios, England – Major interior scenes and supernatural sequences were shot here, giving Burton freedom to craft new fantastical worlds.
- Hellfire Caves, West Wycombe (Buckinghamshire, UK) – Used for eerie gothic settings like graveyards and funeral scenes, doubling as Bran Castle.
- Protein Studios, Shoreditch, London – Served as Delia Deetz’s art gallery.
- Princess Helena College, Hitchin (UK) – Transformed into Astrid’s boarding school.
This mix of Vermont authenticity and gothic English landscapes gave the sequel a richer, more expansive visual palette while staying true to the handmade aesthetic of the original.
Why the Locations Matter
Both films highlight Tim Burton’s love of blending the ordinary with the bizarre. Vermont’s rolling hills anchor the story in a believable small-town setting, while the elaborate studio sets and gothic English landscapes unleash the surreal imagination that defines Beetlejuice.
- 1988: A simple small town turned upside down by ghosts and afterlife bureaucracy.
- 2024: The same town, rebuilt with love, but expanded into an even larger, stranger universe.
Together, these locations show how place and atmosphere are as much characters in Beetlejuice as the ghosts, humans, and sandworms.
Final Thoughts
From the original 1988 cult classic to the long-awaited 2024 sequel, the filming locations of Beetlejuice reveal how Tim Burton builds worlds that feel both real and otherworldly. Whether it’s the rolling hills of East Corinth or the eerie caves of Buckinghamshire, each place adds texture and depth to the story.
Next time you watch either film, remember: behind the stop-motion monsters and gothic humor lies a real Vermont village—and a world of carefully chosen sets that helped make Beetlejuice unforgettable.
