“Joker: Folie à Deux”, the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Joker, debuted to mixed results at the box office, earning an estimated $81.1 million internationally over the weekend. Despite topping the global box office with a $121.1 million worldwide haul, the film faced challenges on the domestic front, where it brought in a relatively low $40 million.
Warner Bros., which financed the movie, is facing pressure due to the film’s $200 million production budget—significantly higher than the $65 million spent on the original Joker. Much of the increased budget is attributed to the star-studded cast and director fees, including Joaquin Phoenix, who reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, and Lady Gaga, who takes on the iconic character of Harley Quinn. Despite their star power, the film has received lackluster reviews, earning a disappointing D CinemaScore from audiences, mirroring critical reception.
International Box Office Performance
“Joker: Folie à Deux” has fared better overseas, playing on 25,788 screens across 76 markets. Noteworthy international earnings include $8 million in the U.K., $6.9 million in Germany, $5.6 million in Italy, $5.5 million in Mexico, and $5 million in France. The film is set to open in Japan this week, followed by a highly anticipated release in China on October 16, which could provide a significant boost to its overall earnings.
In India, the film had a promising start, earning Rs 6.5 crore (approximately $784,000) in its first three days. However, it experienced a slowdown over the weekend, adding Rs 1.52 crore on Day 4, bringing its total to Rs 9.3 crore (about $1.1 million), as reported by sacnilk.com.
A Tough Act to Follow
The original Joker was a monumental success, grossing $335 million domestically and $743 million internationally, setting a record as the highest-grossing R-rated film for a time. That title has since been overtaken by Deadpool & Wolverine, which earned $1.32 billion worldwide. With such high expectations, the sequel’s mixed reception has been a stark contrast.
Director Todd Phillips had hinted at being done with comic book films even before the polarizing reception of Joker: Folie à Deux. He told Variety in August, “It was fun to play in this sort of sandbox for two movies, but I think we’ve said what we wanted to say in this world.”
As the film continues its international rollout, all eyes are on how it performs in key markets like Japan and China, which could determine whether it manages to break even or turn a profit for Warner Bros.
