East Corinth, The Place Where Tim Burton Found His Perfect Vermont Backdrop
Imagine a tiny Vermont village with fewer than 500 residents becoming the backdrop for one of Hollywood’s most iconic movies.
East Corinth, tucked near the New Hampshire border, captured Tim Burton’s imagination in 1987 when he chose this quiet spot to film “Beetlejuice.”
Decades later, the magic returned when the 2024 sequel brought cameras back to this unlikely film location, proving that some places possess a charm no studio set can replicate.
1. The Village That Beetlejuice Built
East Corinth sits near the New Hampshire border, surrounded by more trees than residents. In 1987, Tim Burton chose this unassuming spot to film “Beetlejuice,” transforming the quiet village into a movie set that would live in pop culture forever.
The 2024 sequel brought cameras back, proving lightning could strike twice in the same rural location.
Vermont typically loses film projects to neighboring states like Massachusetts, where tax credits make production budgets stretch further.
But something about East Corinth’s authentic charm couldn’t be replicated elsewhere: the kind of pastoral beauty that comes from genuine small-town America rather than careful set design.
2. What Remains From The Movies
The famous red covered bridge exists only in fan memories and film stills. Built specifically for production, it was dismantled after shooting wrapped, though the bridge structure itself still stands on Chicken Farm Road, just minus its photogenic roof.
Movie pilgrims arrive hoping to recreate iconic scenes, often finding themselves photographing what’s left.
Miss Shannon’s School for the Girls, however, survived both films. The building still stands in East Corinth, and rumors suggest plans to transform it into a “Beetlejuice” museum.
For fans who’ve traveled from across the globe, it’s the closest thing to walking through the movie’s twisted universe.
3. Vermont’s Green Mountain Magic
The state’s French-derived name literally means “green mountains,” and the landscape delivers on that promise year-round. East Corinth embodies this natural abundance while maintaining the intimate scale that makes Vermont feel like stepping back in time.
Trees outnumber people by dramatic margins, creating the kind of scenery that photographers dream about and city dwellers crave.
This combination of natural beauty and sparse population ranks Vermont as the second least-populated state nationally. But what might seem like a demographic quirk becomes the area’s greatest asset: space to breathe, landscapes unmarred by development, and villages that operate at human scale.
4. Beyond the Film Set
East Corinth works best as a launching pad rather than a final destination. The village reveals itself quickly, making nearby attractions essential for filling out an itinerary. Within an hour’s drive, Vermont’s greatest hits become accessible, from ski slopes to capital city quirks.
Stowe claims the state’s highest peak and 116 trails, earning recognition as one of America’s finest small mountain towns. The resort town sits about an hour northwest, offering powder seekers their fix while maintaining that characteristic Vermont authenticity that larger resorts often sacrifice.
5. Nearby Towns Worth the Detour
Montpelier technically counts as Vermont’s capital city, but calling it “urban” would be generous. With fewer than 8,000 residents, multiple maple syrup sugarhouses, and the distinction of being America’s only state capital without a McDonald’s, Montpelier operates more like an oversized village than a governmental hub.
Woodstock consistently earns praise as one of America’s most beautiful towns, and autumn visits prove why. Fall foliage creates scenes that feel almost theatrical in their perfection, complemented by farm-to-table restaurants and mercantile shops that manage to feel both upscale and unpretentious.
6. Planning the Vermont Circuit
The beauty of basing yourself near East Corinth lies in accessibility. Multiple Vermont icons cluster within reasonable driving distance, allowing visitors to sample ski culture, capital city peculiarities, and picture-perfect villages without spending entire days in transit.
The state’s compact geography means covering impressive ground without the exhaustion of marathon drives.
Whether chasing “Beetlejuice” nostalgia, seeking autumn’s color explosion, or simply craving the kind of quiet that only comes from populations measured in hundreds rather than thousands, East Corinth offers an entry point into Vermont’s particular brand of rural charm, the kind that convinced Hollywood to come calling twice.
