Step straight into the Netherworld with this hilariously creepy couple’s costume.

The elongated bird-beak face and gaping jaw with eyeballs inside are instantly recognizable for Beetlejuice fans.

What makes this idea so fun is the contrast, Barbara in her sweet floral dress holding the handbook while Adam looks like a demented lumberjack.

Together, it’s a costume that gets laughs, gasps, and a lot of “Wait, that’s from Beetlejuice, right?!” comments all night long.

Materials Needed

• 1 Adam Maitland mask (beak face, 12-14” long)
• 1 Barbara Maitland mask (jaw-stretch face, 10-12” tall)
• Flannel shirt (black-and-white checkered, size M-L)
• Khaki pants (men’s, 32-36 waist)
• Floral 80s-style dress (mid-calf length, size S-M)
• Converse sneakers or vintage canvas shoes (1 pair black, 1 pair pink)
• Prop book: “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” (printable cover works too)
• Optional: adhesive googly eyes to mimic Adam’s hand eyes

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Start with the clothing, have one person wear khaki pants and a checkered flannel shirt, and the other a floral-patterned dress with retro vibes.

Step 2: Add shoes to match the movie look: black sneakers for Adam, pastel Converse or flats for Barbara.

Step 3: Put on the masks, these are the centerpiece of the costume. You can buy pre-made ones online or make them using papier-mâché, foam, and paint if you’re crafty.

Step 4: Carry the “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” as a finishing touch.

Next, print out a cover design and glue it to an old book if you don’t have the real prop.

Step 5: For extra detail, stick googly eyes onto white gloves to mimic Adam’s infamous hand eyes.

Note:

If you love attention to detail, practice the exaggerated body language from the film as Barbara’s nervous stance and Adam’s jerky scare poses make the costumes come alive.