Many comic book movies tend to be PG-13. It’s an easy way for studios to guarantee their accessibility and that they’ll have the widest opportunity to become a blockbuster. Some films, however, defy the odds. This is the case with one R-rated comic book movie that’s currently topping the charts on Netflix.
The film broke into the Top 10 spot on Netflix when it premiered on the streaming service. This is an incredible feat for a comic book movie that’s already several years old. Especially when Netflix has a number of newer films and shows available to watch.
The R-Rated comic book movie even managed to surpass Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire. It goes to show just how well of a job director Todd Phillips and actor Joaquin Phoenix did with this variation of a classic DC character.
The film is none other than 2019’s Joker. The comic book movie which happens to be more of a psychological thriller made more than $1 billion at the box office. This is a massive achievement when considering that Joker is also R-rated. Additionally, it only had a budget of $55 to $70 million, which means a hefty profit for the studio.
It’s no surprise, then, that Warner Bros quickly set to work on a sequel. The continuation, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, is set to be released later this year on October 4, 2024. As such, it’s exciting to see that fans are still eager to watch the first film even several years later. Audiences are no doubt going to be ready for the sequel and what’s in store.
In addition to Joaquin Phoenix’s return as the Joker, the film will also include Lady Gaga as his love interest: Harley Quinn. The fan-favorite character first debuted in Batman: The Animated Series, and later on became a DC Comics mainstay. Now that so many adaptations have interpreted her character in various exciting ways, we’ll have to see how Joker: Folie à Deux manages to do so.
For now, fans can currently stream the first Joker via Netflix. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates as we have them.