Joker: Folie à Deux has encountered a major setback at the box office, suffering one of the steepest declines ever recorded for a comic book movie. The film, which is a sequel to 2019’s critically acclaimed Joker, dropped a staggering 81% in its second weekend, grossing only $7.1 million from 4,102 theaters in the US. This steep drop has pushed the movie into the Top 20 biggest second-weekend drops in domestic box office history.

Massive Second-Week Decline

After a disappointing opening weekend, where Joker 2 earned $38 million, far below initial expectations of $50 to $70 million, the sharp decline came as a blow to the production team. The original Joker grossed over $1 billion worldwide, setting a high bar for its sequel. In comparison, Joker 2 has grossed only $165 million globally, still far from covering its hefty $200 million production budget.

According to Box Office Mojo, the film’s 81% drop in its second week marks a record for comic book adaptations. Previously, The Marvels had held the record with a 78% second-weekend decline. The original Joker, produced on a much smaller budget of $60 million, performed exceptionally well, becoming the first R-rated movie to cross the billion-dollar mark. However, Joker: Folie à Deux has not been able to replicate this success.

Critics’ Reception and Audience Response

The sequel, directed by Todd Phillips, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Unlike its predecessor, Joker 2 incorporates a musical element, a creative risk that did not sit well with critics or audiences. Reviewers described the film as “dull” and “boring,” with many citing that its experimental narrative failed to resonate. The movie also earned a low CinemaScore rating of “D”, indicating that audience reception was lukewarm at best.

Additionally, industry analysts have noted that the film’s performance was also affected by strong competition from other releases. Films like Terrifier 3, a low-budget horror movie, managed to dominate the box office, grossing $18.3 million during the same weekend, further overshadowing Joker: Folie à Deux.

Global Box Office Struggles

On the international front, Joker 2 has not been able to match its predecessor’s overwhelming global success. By this point in its run, the original Joker had earned $248.4 million worldwide, whereas Folie à Deux lags behind with a global total of $165 million. Despite these figures, the movie still has time to recover some of its losses, but breaking even with a $200 million budget remains a significant challenge.

In comparison, other films in the comic book genre, including Deadpool and Wolverine, have performed better at the box office, showcasing the stark differences in audience preferences for R-rated superhero films. The global box office, in general, has been affected by changing audience trends, with many preferring to watch movies at home or wait for streaming releases rather than going to theaters.

Joker’s Legacy and Future

Despite its poor performance, Joker: Folie à Deux remains a notable release in 2024, given the high expectations surrounding it. While the first Joker film was celebrated for its gritty, character-driven narrative, the sequel’s attempt to blend the superhero genre with musical elements did not have the same impact.

The film’s dramatic decline at the box office raises important questions about the future of big-budget, experimental superhero movies. Given the disappointing performance, it’s uncertain whether Warner Bros. will move forward with similar creative risks for future comic book adaptations.

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Source: Box Office Mojo, The Guardian, The Pinnacle Gazette