Originally published March 21, 2017. This article preserves One Sixth Society’s original reporting and images; product availability, pricing, and opinions reflect the original publication period.
Like many collectors who grew up in the 1980s, I have a lasting fondness for the era’s films and music. Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988) remains a personal favorite. Its dark comedy about the afterlife brought together Michael Keaton’s performance and Tim Burton’s distinctive visual style.
It was a commercial success for its time and as the years passed the film gained a cult following status. A year later Keaton and Burton teamed up again for the modern, noir-influenced cinematic outing of Batman in 1989. Beetlejuice also spawned a successful animated series from 1989 to 1991 along with a variety of toys and other collectibles over the years.
Beetlejuice had long been a wish-list license for sixth-scale collectors, with Tim Burton’s distinctive style adding to its appeal. I’ve seen a variety of custom 1:6 figures over the years created by customizers, but there was no formal opportunity or outlet for a legitimate true licensed 1:6 scale figure of Beetlejuice. Over the years, there were rumors and speculation about Sideshow Collectibles or others supposedly procuring the license to faithfully produce a 1:6 scale figure of Beetlejuice, but nothing definitive materialized that is until Sideshow Collectibles made their official announcement and unveiling of the prototype.
The original estimated shipping window was December 2016 to January 2017, subject to production delays. When the figure was announced and unveiled, the response was one of excitement and joy among those who hold an affinity for the cult classic film; however, among dedicated sixth-scale collectors the reaction has been mixed to put it mildly.
Sideshow’s Beetlejuice: Detail and Quality
Collectors have high expectations for licensed sixth-scale figures, often using Hot Toys as a benchmark for likeness and detail. Sideshow has an established following across several collectible formats, but differences between prototypes and final products have made some collectors cautious. That concern shaped the discussion around Beetlejuice.
In reading many postings online from a variety of 1:6 discussion groups including the Sideshow Freaks discussion group/forum, the most common focus and observation appear to be on the detailing and expression on the head sculpt and quibbles regarding its aesthetics. Being a 1:6 collector myself for the past 18 years, I can see how and why the criticisms are made.
The figure is recognizable as Beetlejuice, but at $239.99 USD, I understand why collectors are looking closely at the likeness. Liking the character and being satisfied with this particular head sculpt are two different things.
The outfit has also drawn criticism. Those concerns are based on the prototype photographs and collectors’ experiences with previous Sideshow releases; they are not an assessment of a finished Beetlejuice figure.
After the initial announcement and unveiling, there was much online discussion within the sixth scale hobby community if Sideshow Collectibles will take on feedback from collectors for the Beetlejuice sixth scale figure. As with virtually all licensed products from Sideshow, their official response is that when warranted their design team may take feedback from their collectors/customers and will work closely with the licensor for the final product and pictures posted are prototypes. It’s a very standard response indeed. Prior to the writing of this article, I called the Customer Service for Sideshow Collectibles and asked the following questions.
- Will Sideshow Collectibles acknowledge or verify the feedback provided by collectors/customers for the Beetlejuice sixth scale figure?
- Who ultimately has the final say so with regards to changes/revisions on the prototype prior to production?
Sideshow Customer Service’s Response
Sideshow Collectibles may consider feedback from collectors and customers with regards to the Beetlejuice sixth scale figure, but currently it’s unknown if any feedback has been taken into consideration by the design team.
The Beetlejuice sixth scale figure is a licensed product through an agreement with Warner Bros. and any final approval would be a joint collaboration with Warner Bros. and Sideshow Collectibles.
Those responses did not establish whether collector feedback would lead to changes in the production figure. I remained pleased to see an official sixth-scale Beetlejuice, but cautious about the final result.
Original release update: Sideshow subsequently released Beetlejuice and listed it for sale. This is a historical update, not a statement of current availability.
