The Beetlejuice Cartoon Is Weird, Gross and Very Queer

“Pranks for the Memories” (September 18, 1991) and “Beetlebones” (September 27, 1991)

Sure, we’ve all thought more about Beetlejuice in the last few weeks than we have in the last few decades, but we come to you today not to discuss the sequel film but the animated spinoff. Henry Giardina returns to explain why this more kid-friendly version of the Tim Burton ghoul lends itself to trans and queer readings.

Listen to Henry’s movie podcast, I’ll Watch Anything, and also subscribe to Totally Trans, which is currently on hiatus.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Lost Gals and specifically their episode about Drop Dead Fred

• The Best Movies Never Made and their episodes about all the Beetlejuice sequels that never were

• Guide to the Unknown and their episode about A Nightmare on Elm Street 3

• What Went Wrong and their episode about the making of Beetlejuice

• Cracked’s oral history of the Beetlejuice cartoon