In an unexpected twist, Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips, debuted at the box office with a disappointing $37.8 million, significantly underperforming against initial projections. This sequel, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has made history as the first Hollywood comic book film to receive a D CinemaScore, indicating a strong disconnect between the film and audience expectations.
Disappointing Debut
Anticipations were high for the Joker sequel, which was expected to earn between $50 million and $60 million in its opening weekend. Early tracking even suggested a possible $70 million debut. However, as the weekend progressed, estimates were continually revised downwards. Compounding the issue, exit polls showed negative audience reactions, with a troubling half-star rating out of five on PostTrak, echoing the sentiments surrounding other recent box office failures like Megalopolis.
Comparison to the Original
For context, the original Joker film, released in 2019, had a stunning opening of $96.2 million, ultimately grossing over $1 billion worldwide against a $55 million budget. In stark contrast, Folie à Deux cost around $190 million to produce and is currently projected to end its domestic run with figures likely to fall between $37 million and $39 million, a significant drop from its predecessor.
Mixed International Performance
While the domestic opening fell short, Joker: Folie à Deux fared slightly better internationally, grossing $81.1 million for a total global debut of $121.1 million. However, this number still lags behind the original film’s international success, and the sequel has yet to open in major markets like Japan and China.
Factors Behind the Underperformance
Critics have praised the film’s artistic merit, including its visuals and performances, particularly those of Phoenix and Gaga. Yet, it has been criticized for its narrative depth, with some reviews describing it as “thin” and “dull” for a movie running over two hours. This disconnect between critical acclaim and audience reception could be attributed to its unconventional genre-blending style as a musical-infused antihero film.
Future Prospects
Despite the rocky start, there is hope for Folie à Deux to find a place in the upcoming awards season, particularly for performances by its leading actors. Todd Phillips has expressed gratitude for the studio’s willingness to take creative risks, acknowledging that the film may not align with traditional expectations for a sequel.
The film is categorized under the DC Elseworlds brand, which allows for unique storytelling outside the main DC Universe, and has been marketed differently from typical comic book adaptations.
Other Box Office Performers
In the same weekend, The Wild Robot from DreamWorks Animation took second place with $18.7 million, while Beetlejuice Beetlejuice crossed the $400 million mark globally. Other notable mentions include Transformers One and Speak No Evil, both contributing to a competitive box office landscape.
As Warner Bros. processes the mixed reception, industry analysts continue to monitor the film’s trajectory, speculating on its future in theaters and potential award nominations.