In an unexpected turn of events, Joker: Folie à Deux (Joker 2) has set a new, unfortunate record. After a moderately low opening weekend, the much-anticipated sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, experienced an unprecedented drop in its second weekend. With an 81% decline, Joker 2 now holds the title for the worst second-weekend plunge ever for a comic book-based movie.
A Disappointing Start
Released on October 4, Joker 2 hit theaters with a $37 million opening weekend. This was already a disappointing figure, falling short of other recent comic book movie underperformers like Morbius ($39 million), The Marvels ($46 million), and The Flash ($55 million). Even before its second weekend, the movie’s performance signaled concerns about its reception among both fans and critics.
What followed was a disastrous 81% drop, bringing in only $7 million in its second weekend. This drop surpassed the previous record held by Marvel’s The Marvels, which declined by 78% after its opening weekend in 2023. Joker 2 also faced stiffer competition in its second weekend from other films such as Terrifier 3, which topped the box office with $18.3 million, and DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot, which earned $13.5 million, pushing Joker 2 down to third place.
Worst Drop in Comic Book Movie History
The massive drop for Joker 2 sets it apart from previous films with similarly poor second-weekend showings. Here’s a look at how Joker 2 compares to other comic book movie flops:
- The Marvels (2023): 78% drop
- Steel (1997): 78% drop
- Morbius (2022): 74% drop
- The Flash (2023): 72% drop
- X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019): 71% drop
In addition to this record-breaking decline, Joker 2 received a harsh “D” CinemaScore, the lowest ever for a comic book movie. This score reflects the negative reception among audiences, with many expressing disappointment in the film’s musical elements and storyline.
Comparing to the First Joker Movie
The original Joker film, released in 2019, was a monumental success. Earning $335 million domestically and over $1.06 billion worldwide, the first Joker became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time until it was dethroned by Deadpool & Wolverine earlier in 2024. The film’s success was built on strong performances, compelling direction, and a dark, gritty narrative that resonated with both fans and critics.
Joker 2, however, appears to have failed to capture the same magic. Despite bringing back Joaquin Phoenix and adding Lady Gaga to the cast, the film’s musical approach and storyline seem to have alienated much of the audience that loved the first installment. With a projected domestic total of around $57 million, it’s clear that the sequel will fall drastically short of its predecessor’s box office heights.
The Competition: Terrifier 3 and The Wild Robot
Contributing to Joker 2’s downfall was the strong competition it faced in its second weekend. Terrifier 3, a Christmas-themed slasher movie featuring the chainsaw-wielding Art the Clown, took the No. 1 spot with $18.3 million. The horror genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, and Terrifier 3 capitalized on this trend, drawing audiences away from Joker 2.
In second place was DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot, an animated film that continued its strong box office run by adding another $13.5 million to its total. The Wild Robot has performed consistently well, with a global haul of $148 million, making it another obstacle for Joker 2.
What’s Next for the Joker Franchise?
While Joker: Folie à Deux has performed poorly at the box office, it’s still early to determine the lasting impact on the Joker franchise. However, with such a steep decline and negative audience reception, it’s clear that the sequel hasn’t lived up to expectations. Warner Bros. will likely face tough decisions about the future direction of the series, particularly as it relates to any potential third installment.
In the broader context, Joker 2 serves as a cautionary tale for studios attempting to follow up on wildly successful films. While the first Joker succeeded by taking bold creative risks, the sequel’s departure from the tone and style of the original may have been too much for audiences to embrace.
For now, Joker 2 will go down as one of the biggest box office bombs in comic book movie history, with its dramatic second-weekend plunge cementing its place in the annals of cinema disappointments. Whether it can redeem itself in the weeks to come remains to be seen, but the road ahead looks difficult.