The potential of a Joker franchise seemed limitless when the 2019 film of the same name broke records at the box office. With the release of its sequel, however, that potential has clearly been squandered. In fact, not only has Joker: Folie à Deux flopped in theaters, but now it’s bombing on digital platforms as well.
Studios have been exploring some interesting distribution possibilities over the last few years. For example, the window in which blockbuster movies are released digitally after premiering in theaters has become much shorter. Some believe this is hurting theaters, while others think both avenues are completely valid.
In the case of Joker: Folie à Deux, however, which is currently available in both theaters and on digital, it looks like neither distribution route is working out for the film. The movie, once again directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, along with the addition of Lady Gaga, has been struggling since its release.
As of this writing, the film has only grossed $204.7 million at the box office, weighing against a budget estimated between $190-200 million. For context, the first Joker film made $1.079 billion at the box office on a budget estimated between $55-70 million. Now, as shared via CBM, the Joker sequel is failing digitally as well:
“Joker: Folie à Deux has only managed to reach fourth place on both the iTunes and Fandango charts, placing it behind The Substance, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (so there’s some good news for Warner Bros.) on the former.”
This is certainly not good for the Joker follow-up, especially when considering the movies ahead of it have had similarly close theatrical windows (or are still playing in theaters). As such, it doesn’t look like the new sequel will be building an audience any time soon – but anything is possible. On Fandango, the film is said to be behind The Wild Robot, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
It’s quite impressive to see just how bad this sequel has failed – especially when its predecessor was such a huge success story. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for more news regarding Joker: Folie à Deux as we have it. For now, however, one can only imagine that Warner Bros. Discovery will be focusing on the DCU from this point forward.