The 52-year-old actor reprises her role as Lydia Deetz in Tim Burton's sequel to his 1988 supernatural comedy and it was particularly special to see Michael Keaton back in character as the titular ghost with the most.
"I was welling up with emotion. To work with Michael again, someone who, like Tim, was so protective and encouraging to me at such a young age, was so special," she said.
"It was so moving for me to be back in costume and in that environment.
"It felt so free, like it was an independent film and we could try anything."
Winona Ryder says she was shocked to discover her Beetlejuice character had a daughter of her own. (AP PHOTO)
Winona admits she agreed to the sequel even before there was a finished script.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she explained: "Like anything with Tim, it has to be right. It was never going to be a sequel just for the sake of it."
But when she did finally get given the plot, Winona was shocked to find her character had a daughter of her own.
"I have to admit it was an aspect of the character that surprised me at first," she said.
"Because of who she is from the first film, I think you kind of imagine her staying a loner and maybe not having a kid as part of whatever life she does on to lead.
"But as soon as Tim explained his vision for the sequel and Lydia's part in it as a mother herself now, I was excited."
Winona Ryder admits she agreed to do the Beetlejuice sequel even before a final script was written. (AP PHOTO)
Despite her years of success since starring in Beetlejuice, Winona admitted her memories of shooting her breakout film has always been particularly "special" to her.
"I remember it all ... every moment," she said.
"I remember how special it felt and how included I was made to feel by Tim.
"I had never experienced working on something in such a collaborative way before.
"To be that young, just 15, and to be asked what you think about a scene or an element of your character felt very special to me and I have always appreciated and cherished that experience."
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