The much-awaited sequel to the 2019 blockbuster, Joker: Folie à Deux, has declined from its initial box office triumph, witnessing an unprecedented 80 per cent decline from its debut weekend gross of $40 million to a only $7.1 million in its second weekend, marking a historic collapse for a comic book adaptation, as reported by international media.
Joaquin Phoenix-Lady Gaga starrer now stands at mere $51.5 million domestically and $165 million globally after two weeks, a stark contrast to its prequel, which raked in $96.2 million domestically and $248.4 million globally within its first three days of release.
Meanwhile, independent horror film Terrifier 3 has dethroned Joker: Folie à Deux, earning an estimated $18.2 million, while animated film The Wild Robot secured second place with $13.4 million. Beetlejuice slipped to fourth with $7 million, while comedy-drama Piece by Piece, featuring a star-studded voice cast, rounded out the top five.
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Joker: Folie à Deux financial losses
Warner Bros. faces substantial financial repercussions, with projections indicating losses between $150 million and $200 million, given the film’s $200 million production cost and an additional $100 million allocated for marketing and distribution.
Industry insiders predict that Folie à Deux will conclude its theatrical run with a total gross of approximately $65 million domestically and between $210 million and $215 million globally, well below the estimated $450 million needed to break even.
The film’s critical reception has been lukewarm at best, garnering a mere 33 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving a rare “D” grade from audiences on CinemaScore. While the original Joker was celebrated for its gritty realism and earned over $1 billion worldwide, the sequel’s foray into musical elements and song-and-dance numbers appears to have alienated much of its original fan base.
As Warner Bros. seeks to recuperate losses through home entertainment releases, the prospects of achieving profitability for Folie à Deux remain grim, signaling a notable downturn for the franchise.
Meanwhile, the Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and opens at number 10 with just $1.6 million, is also facing controversy. Trump has publicly criticized the film, labeling it a “politically disgusting hatchet job,” as it prepares for its UK premiere at the London Film Festival.
