'Joker: Folie à deux' faces dim box office prospects

"Joker: Folie à Deux" was expected to be a major box office hit. How could it not be when the first instalment grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and was a hit in 2019? However, the second chapter of the Joker story is struggling with viewers.

"Joker," featuring Joaquin Phoenix, was a major box office success in 2019. The world was abuzz with the actor's brilliant performance, as he masterfully portrayed the tormented, lonely Arthur Fleck, who spirals into madness and aims to unleash his anger on the world. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film was a sensation that year, earning over a billion dollars from ticket sales and winning two Oscars (plus nine nominations)—for Best Actor and Best Original Score. Since October 4, the second part, "Joker: Folie à Deux," has been available in Poland, but audience turnout has been disappointing.

Diplomatically speaking, "Folie à Deux" is not set to replicate the first film's success. It's already being seen as a major financial failure. Following the debacle of Kevin Costner's "Horizon," it's the second high-profile downfall of a Hollywood project this year.

In early September, forecasts suggested the film could earn $130 million, or perhaps even $150 million, in the United States over three days. However, after the premiere in Venice, where the first negative reviews surfaced, alongside review bombing (where groups negatively rate a film without actually watching it), the ratings for "Joker" began to decline.

The opening earnings were just $37.5 million. The second weekend performed even worse, generating $7.1 million. The $200 million production was overshadowed in theatres by a horror movie made for just two million dollars—"Terrifier 3" grossed $18.3 million in the United States during its opening weekend.

Forecasts suggest that the final U.S. box office for "Folie à Deux" could reach $65 million, with a global maximum of $215 million, posing a significant challenge for Warner Bros. According to Warner Bros. sources, the film needs $375 million to break even, although it is currently projected that "Folie à Deux" will incur losses ranging from $150 to $200 million. Warner Bros. counters these speculations by reminding us that the film is still in cinemas and additional revenue may emerge from VOD platforms.

"Variety" reports that the film's streaming release won't be long. The second "Joker" is expected to appear on a platform as soon as October 29, just in time for Halloween. The first part is also available on Netflix or can be rented on platforms such as Canal+ Premium, Player, or Prime Video.