Winona Ryder Is the Spitting Image of HerBeetlejuiceCharacter 36 Years Later — See the Star Then and Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Winona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice’ in 1988 and in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.Photo:TCD/Prod DB/Alamy; Warner Bros.

TCD/Prod DB/Alamy; Warner Bros.

Winona Ryderseems to have barely aged a day since she starred inBeetlejuice.

The actress was just 15 years old when she landed the role of goth teen Lydia Deetz in directorTim Burton’s 1988 horror comedy — beating out, incidentally, an impressive list of starlets reportedly includingSarah Jessica Parker,Brooke Shields,Molly Ringwald,Juliette Lewis,Jennifer ConnellyandAlyssa Milano.

The hit film, only her third following supporting roles in 1986’sLucasand 1987’sSquare Dance, propelled Ryder to stardom, and the moody character cemented her status as a queen of ’90s angst.

Ahead ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Sept. 6 release, take a look at photos of the star, then and now.

01of 10Fringe IconWinona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice’ in 1988.Collection Christophel/AlamyAs Lydia Deetz, 15-year-old Winona Ryder went full goth inBeetlejuice. The character defined herself as “strange and unusual” with a dramatic hairstyle — somewhere between The Cure’s Robert Smith andDark Shadows' Barnabas Collins — to match.

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Fringe Icon

Winona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice’ in 1988.Collection Christophel/Alamy

Collection Christophel/Alamy

As Lydia Deetz, 15-year-old Winona Ryder went full goth inBeetlejuice. The character defined herself as “strange and unusual” with a dramatic hairstyle — somewhere between The Cure’s Robert Smith andDark Shadows' Barnabas Collins — to match.

02of 10A Spooky UpdateWinona Ryder and Justin Theroux in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.Courtesy of Warner Bros. PicturesReturning to the role inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, it’s almost spooky how well the 52-year-old Ryder can still rock an updated, slightly toned-down version of Lydia’s distinctive ‘do.

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A Spooky Update

Winona Ryder and Justin Theroux in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Returning to the role inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, it’s almost spooky how well the 52-year-old Ryder can still rock an updated, slightly toned-down version of Lydia’s distinctive ‘do.

03of 10The Bride Wore RedWinona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice’ in 1988.AlamyWho could forget Lydia’s divinely demonic red wedding dress inBeetlejuice?

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The Bride Wore Red

Winona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice’ in 1988.Alamy

Alamy

Who could forget Lydia’s divinely demonic red wedding dress inBeetlejuice?

04of 10Hauntingly GlamorousWinona Ryder in 2024.Daniele Venturelli/WireImageMore than three decades later, Ryder was clearly nodding to her character with her look at the world premiere ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceat the Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28, 2024.

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Hauntingly Glamorous

Winona Ryder in 2024.Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

More than three decades later, Ryder was clearly nodding to her character with her look at the world premiere ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceat the Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28, 2024.

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Flying High

By the end of 1988’sBeetlejuice, Lydia had fully embraced the benefits of living in a haunted house.

06of 10Home Sweet HomeJenna Ortega and Winona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.Parisa Taghizadeh/Warner Bros.And inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, she and daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) are still there! Ortega’s character doesn’t seem to have inherited her mother’s flair for the dramatic, but Ryder’s Lydia appears to retain a fondness for a version of her high school uniform.

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Home Sweet Home

Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.Parisa Taghizadeh/Warner Bros.

Parisa Taghizadeh/Warner Bros.

And inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, she and daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) are still there! Ortega’s character doesn’t seem to have inherited her mother’s flair for the dramatic, but Ryder’s Lydia appears to retain a fondness for a version of her high school uniform.

07of 10Off DutyWinona Ryder in 1988.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/AlamyLong before celebrities startedtailoring their promo tour wardrobes to echo their characters, a young Ryder had clearly put herBeetlejuicecharacter’s over-the-top style behind her when photographed in April 1988.

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Off Duty

Winona Ryder in 1988.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Long before celebrities startedtailoring their promo tour wardrobes to echo their characters, a young Ryder had clearly put herBeetlejuicecharacter’s over-the-top style behind her when photographed in April 1988.

08of 10Dark LadyWinona Ryder in 2024.Theo Wargo/GettyFast-forward to 2024: Ryder seemed fully committed to “method dressing” at an Aug. 17 event in New York City ahead of the release ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.

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Dark Lady

Winona Ryder in 2024.Theo Wargo/Getty

Theo Wargo/Getty

Fast-forward to 2024: Ryder seemed fully committed to “method dressing” at an Aug. 17 event in New York City ahead of the release ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.

09of 10Not-So-Basic BlackWinona Ryder in 1989.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyOne year afterBeetlejuicehit theaters, Ryder was back in black at a 1989 event in L.A.

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Not-So-Basic Black

Winona Ryder in 1989.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

One year afterBeetlejuicehit theaters, Ryder was back in black at a 1989 event in L.A.

10of 10Like a Goth to a FlameWinona Ryder in 2024.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via GettyDuring a photo call at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28, Ryder definitely looked like she was channeling a slightly more well-adjusted Lydia.

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Like a Goth to a Flame

Winona Ryder in 2024.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

During a photo call at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28, Ryder definitely looked like she was channeling a slightly more well-adjusted Lydia.

source: people.com