Fans of Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 film Beetlejuice have long been captivated by the quirky and atmospheric town of Winter River. For years, curious viewers have asked: Where Was Beetlejuice Filmed? The answer lies in the charming New England state of Vermont, specifically the picturesque town of East Corinth. This small town, with a population of under 1,500, served as the primary location for the fictional Winter River and reprised its role in the highly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Production designer Mark Scruton, who also collaborated with Burton on Wednesday, recounts his return to East Corinth for the sequel. “No one had been back there since the first film, other than the fans. But when I flew there, you could tell it was pretty much unchanged. It was the same town it had always been and you could see why they’d gone there in the first place.” This unchanged quality was key to bringing the whimsical world of Beetlejuice back to life.
East Corinth, Vermont: The Real Winter River
For Beetlejuice and its sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, East Corinth was transformed into the quintessential Burtonesque town of Winter River. Scruton and his team spent a significant 12 weeks in East Corinth meticulously recreating the iconic sets. This included the distinctive hilltop mansion of the Deetz family and the quaint main street that became so recognizable in the original film. The dedication to authenticity meant that returning to East Corinth provided a tangible link to the beloved original.
Leavesden Studios, London: Crafting Interior Worlds
While East Corinth provided the exterior magic for Winter River, the interior sets of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice were brought to life across the Atlantic at Leavesden Studios in London. In total, the production design team constructed an impressive 77 sets. This large number highlights the intricate and detailed world-building required for a Tim Burton film, especially one that blends practical effects seamlessly into its fantastical narrative.
Returning to Winter River: Story and Setting
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sees the return of familiar faces to Winter River. Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and Lydia’s daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) find themselves back in the town for a funeral. This return to Winter River inadvertently awakens the mischievous spirit Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton), setting off another comedic and otherworldly adventure. The sequel expands upon the imaginative universe established in Beetlejuice, delving deeper into the afterlife and the quirky charm of Winter River’s graveyard.
Scruton perfectly captures the immersive experience of filming in these meticulously crafted locations: “Every day was bonkers,” Scruton says. “And because everything was real, you just roamed around in this bananas world and it just made you smile. Everybody enjoyed the frivolous craziness of the whole thing.” The real location of East Corinth, combined with the studio-built sets, created a truly believable and engaging backdrop for the bizarre and wonderful world of Beetlejuice.
In conclusion, the answer to “where was Beetlejuice filmed?” is primarily East Corinth, Vermont for exterior shots, with significant interior work completed at Leavesden Studios in London. This combination of real-world location and studio craftsmanship brought the unique vision of Beetlejuice and Winter River to life, captivating audiences then and now.
