Joker 2 Declared a Box Office Failure as Insiders Call It a “Massive Disaster”

Move aside, Megalopolis, as Joker 2 is poised to claim the title of 2024’s most infamous box office flop. According to industry insiders, the film is being labeled a “massive failure.”

Prior to the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, the original Joker held the record as the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. Its unprecedented success both at the box office and among critics led to billions in revenue, impressive accolades like the Golden Lion, and multiple Oscar wins, including a Best Actor award for Joaquin Phoenix.

It was challenging to resist the allure of Joker 2. Todd Phillips and his team were likely offered a substantial financial incentive, but more significantly, the narrative was compelling. At the conclusion of the first movie, Arthur Fleck had transitioned into the famed Joker—a continuation of his story felt necessary.

However, as the saying goes, be cautious of what you wish for. Our review of Joker: Folie à Deux reveals that it falls short, and following the wave of backlash and dismay, it may soon be relegated to obscurity.

Joker 2 Box Office Performance

Joker 2 has generated $114 million globally, following an underwhelming $37 million opening weekend in the domestic market. It fared better internationally, raking in $77 million.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKAwz2MsJs

Joker: Folie À Deux | Official Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKAwz2MsJs)

This, however, marks a substantial underachievement. For perspective, its domestic debut was outpaced by The Flash ($55 million), The Marvels ($46.1 million), and Morbius ($39 million)—three superhero films frequently categorized as the year’s biggest flops.

Back in 2019, the first Joker film grossed nearly $100 million during its opening weekend in North America, alongside an additional $140 million globally. This represents a significant downturn, attributed primarily to overwhelmingly poor reviews and damaging word-of-mouth feedback.

“It indicates a total audience rejection,” one insider revealed to The Hollywood Reporter, while an unnamed producer noted: “It’s a shared failure, but creating this film was a justified decision.”

Arthur Fleck in the courtroom in Joker 2 — Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

This sentiment seems to resonate widely: Warner Bros needed a sequel, but how did the outcome become so dire? “It’s a colossal disaster, but what are the repercussions? Who will bear the blame?” pondered another source.

It remains uncertain how much the film will earn in its second weekend, though projections appear grim. Consider The Marvels, an essential installment in the MCU that had a B CinemaScore and plunged 78% to merely $10 million in its second weekend.

There’s concern that Joker 2 could gross under $10 million in the US this upcoming weekend, but we will provide updates with the latest box office numbers.

For more insights, check out our analysis of the film’s worst scene, consider the possibility of a Joker 3, and review our rankings of the best superhero films ever made.

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