Is Beetlejuice the Ghost with the Most? I Think So!
If I had to choose only one Halloween Dinner and a Movie to do this year, it would 100% be Beetlejuice! It’s been one of my all-time favorites for as long as I can remember, and with the sequel just around the corner, I couldn’t resist going all out for this week’s Halloween Dinner and a Movie night. Every single dish and drink we are making was inspired by the quirky characters and brilliant storytelling of Tim Burton – and all the food seriously came out SO GOOD.
This week’s Halloween Dinner and a Movie Night felt extra exciting, as it has always been such a big part of my Halloween traditions, and I’ve been dying to create a Beetlejuice themed Spooky Date Night dinner ever since I saw the preview for the sequel months ago.
Beetlejuice Themed Dinner & a Movie: My Two-Day Prep Process
Just like last week, I knew I had to split this meal into two prep days to save myself from a kitchen meltdown, especially considering we were planning on watching a double header! I really have been having so much more fun doing it this way because I am able to take my time and actually enjoy the process of making each dish, and not running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to get everything on the table at the same time.
Day One:
I started with grocery shopping, gathering everything I needed to bring these Beetlejuice dishes to life. While I was out, I stopped by Goodwill because I was on the hunt for some vases. But I totally lucked out when I stumbled upon the perfect vegetable tray that looked like an old-school ashtray—for two dollars! I knew it would be perfect for serving my Candy Cigarettes.
The key to a good Halloween Dinner and a Movie is always a themed dessert, and this week I made some awesome Halloween desserts! Once I got home, I made Candy Cigarettes (pretzels dipped in white chocolate, rolled in black and white sugar to look like ash.) Was it just me or did Beetlejuice scare a whole generation or more away from ever smoking cigarettes?
I also made some "Here Lies Betelguese Brownies," which were Ghirardelli brownies baked in coffin-shaped tins and topped with Oreo dirt and gummy worms. I also boiled the shrimp for the Shrimp Cocktail and whipped up a homemade cocktail sauce from scratch.
Day Two:
Usually, on movie night, I am stressed out, and running around trying to get everything finished before the sun goes down and I lose precious natural light for video, but for this meal, I was able to take my sweet time. It was wonderful! About an hour before dinner time, I made the Sandworm Breadsticks using pizza dough shaped and decorated with edible markers to look just like the iconic sandworms from the movie. Once those were done, I got ready for the main event: Ghost with the Most Creamy Garlic Pasta. If you have been following me for a while, you know we love our creamy pasta recipes around here - and this one was NO different! This pasta is an absolute showstopper with its black and white striped bowtie noodles, creamy garlic sauce, and pops of color from the sundried tomatoes, and yellow red cherry tomatoes. I also served it with a couple of chicken breasts because, you know, we need that protein!
Bringing the Beetlejuice Vibes to Life: The Halloween Dinner and a Movie Night
Once all the food was prepped, I couldn't wait to bring our date night to life. I seriously went all out for this meal, and I think it has been one of our most fun evenings! With the lights dimmed, the Philips Hue lights synced to match the movie’s wild scenes, and our amazing home theater setup, it felt like we had stepped right into Beetlejuice’s Underworld.
We kicked the night off with the Turn on the Juice Cocktail— you know I love a good layered drink. I was so excited when I came up with this concoction because it turned out so good and the vibes were spot on. The green apple liquor, butterfly pea flower lemonade, and slime rim totally came together perfectly. The cocktail was so delicious, I was afraid to say his name.
For appetizers, we went straight for the Shrimp Cocktail. Any time we go out for a fancy meal, we always try the shrimp cocktail, so we were so excited to have it homemade for this meal. I mean, what Beetlejuice Dinner party is complete without the Iconic Haunted Shrimp cocktail from the Dinner Party Scene? And, ya’ll, I am a bread girl, but those Sandworm Breadsticks were almost too cute to eat…almost.
But the real star of the night was the Ghost with the Most Creamy Garlic Pasta. I’ve made a lot of pasta in my time, but this one was apparently on another level. My husband said it was the best pasta I’ve ever made—and that’s saying a lot since pasta is his kryptonite! The creamy garlic sauce, black and white bowtie pasta, and sundried tomatoes came together perfectly. It was just the chef’s kiss.
Get My Spooky Dinner and a Movie Cookbook for More Themed Fun!
If you’re ready to create your own themed movie nights, don’t miss out on my Spooky Dinner and a Movie Cookbook. It’s packed with 10 planned movie nights just like this one, complete with 3-course meals, printable menus, and spooky cocktails and mocktails to match each film. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a fun date night idea, this cookbook has you covered.
A Double Feature Night: Original Beetlejuice and the Sequel
This Beetlejuice Halloween Dinner and a Movie Night was truly one of my favorites of all time! We started our evening at home, watching the original movie with dinner and cocktails, it was the perfect vibe to warm us up to go see the sequel. I snuck some of the candy cigarettes in my purse and we headed to the AMC nearest our house and watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice two days before it's official theatrical release. We loved it. If I am being honest, there were a couple points where they lost me with the plot, but all in all, I thought it was great. I laughed out loud a lot, and really felt the nostalgia of the original shine through.
As fate would have it, just as we took our seats at the theater, we got a ring notification that the matching Beetlejuice matching shirts I ordered for us to wear to the movie finally arrived. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to wear them to the screening, but they were waiting for us when we got home and we will be wearing them all spooky season! After the second movie, we came back and finished the night with our Here Lies Betelguese Brownies. The perfect sweet ending to an incredible evening.
Get My Spooky Dinner and a Movie Cookbook for More Themed Fun!
All recipes for this Halloween Dinner and a Movie Beetlejuice feast can be found in my Spooky Dinner and a Movie Cookbook.
From Ghostbusters to The Addams Family and, of course, Beetlejuice, each menu is designed to bring your favorite films to life. Download the cookbook now and start planning your next magical movie night!
And don’t forget to tune in next week! I asked you guys what movie you wanted us to do, and Hocus Pocus was the overwhelming favorite, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
