The film score is composed by regular Burton collaborator Danny Elfman and the soundtrack featured licensed songs heard in the film and two of Elfman's score cues. The soundtrack was released through WaterTower Music on August 30, 2024, a week ahead of the film's release.
Background and release
In May 2023, in an interaction with Deadline Hollywood's Matt Grobar, Elfman confirmed that he would be scoring music for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.[1] After doing the same for the film, he found it "very exciting to return to the world".[2][3]
The soundtrack incorporated licensed music as heard in the film.[4][5] The traditional Jamaican folk song "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" was featured in the first film and was also included in the sequel. This song was covered by Alfie Davis and the Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir and was featured in the first trailer released on May 23, 2024.[6] The same day, WaterTower Music released the cover as a digital single.[7]
The soundtrack was released through WaterTower Music on August 30, 2024.[8]Waxwork Records issued a deluxe editiondouble LP album set for pre-order on September 9, 2024, and expected to be issued online and in stores in November 2024.[9] This edition featured the complete track list pressed in a 180-gram "Beetlejuice Splatter" (violet and green) colored vinyl along with a Sandworm etched on side-D, with an artwork by Phantom City Creative packaged in a matte satin coated gatefold sleeve with a 11-inch art print, handbook and liner notes.[10]
"Main Title Theme (from "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice")" Released: September 6, 2024
The film score is composed by regular Burton collaborator Danny Elfman. The score was released through WaterTower Music on October 25, 2024.[11] Vinyl and CD releases are expected to come out in early 2025. [12]
Wendy Ide of The Guardian wrote that "[Elfman's] contribution to the score of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is archetypically Elfmanesque, sounding as though it's played by an orchestra of frenzied skeletons", but found the music choices to be a hit and miss.[13] Owen Gleiberman of Variety described the score as "jumpy ghost music" and called the cover of "Day-O" and the musical sequence as "spectacular".[14] Dana Stevens of Slate called it as a "zippy score".[15]
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Elfman's score "has all the qualities of his collaborative peak with Burton plus distinctive new flavors".[16]Ty Burr of The Washington Post wrote "Danny Elfman's musical score, a character in its own right, returns like a runaway calliope."[17] Mireia Mullor of Digital Spy wrote "Along with Danny Elfman's playful score, the movie includes glorious needle drops, with hits ranging from the Bee Gees' 'Tragedy' to Richard Marx's 'Wherever You Go, Whatever You Do'."[18]
Charts
Chart performance for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
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