Well, it looks like Joker: Folie à Deux has done the impossible—it’s made history, but not the kind you’d brag about at family dinners.
Starring Joaquin Phoenix as everyone’s favorite chaotic mime and Lady Gaga as his psychotically charming partner-in-crime, Harley Quinn, the film crashed into theaters earlier this month and landed with all the grace of a banana peel on black ice. The reviews? Oh, honey… historically bad. Even comic book movie fans, who have sat through everything from Morbius to five different Batmen, were like, “Yeah, I’ll pass.”
The Box Office: Or as Joker Calls it, “A Big Joke”
Opening weekend raked in a “whopping” $40 million domestically—if by “whopping,” you mean “yikes.” Globally, it scrounged up $121.1 million. Not bad… if you’re making an indie film about artisanal goat cheese. But for a blockbuster? This is the cinematic equivalent of getting socks for Christmas.
Now, here’s the kicker: To even break even, this film needs to make $450 million. I mean, $450 million?! The only way it’s hitting that number is if Harley herself starts selling lemonade outside the theater. And after the second week’s numbers, it’s looking grim.
Week Two: Freefall, Baby
The second weekend was so bad it might have given the studio executives actual Joker smiles. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie suffered an 81% drop at the domestic box office, pulling in just $7 million. Seven. Million. Dollars. You’d think the studio would’ve hidden the receipts under a fake name to avoid the embarrassment.
For some perspective, The Marvels had previously held the record for worst second-week drop with a 78% plunge. But now Joker: Folie à Deux said, “Hold my clown wig,” and dove face-first into that dubious honor.
Worldwide Earnings: Still Flopping Globally
The sequel added $22.7 million more to its sad little piggy bank in international markets, bringing the total earnings to $165.3 million. At this rate, the only way they’re hitting their $450 million goal is if they start counting Monopoly money.
Final Thoughts: The Joke’s on Us
So, what’s next for Joker: Folie à Deux? A GoFundMe page? Maybe Gaga will serenade audiences personally at every screening to boost ticket sales. Either way, it’s safe to say this film is becoming a cautionary tale in Hollywood faster than Joaquin can lose weight for the role.
In the immortal words of the Joker himself, “You get what you f***ing deserve!” Apparently, what this movie deserved was a seat at the table of box office disasters. 🎭
