"Joker: Folie à Deux" has taken the top spot at the box office, but its debut has left many in the industry scratching their heads. The highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 origin story of the Batman villain opened to a lackluster $40 million, less than half of its predecessor's opening weekend. The film, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, was expected to make around $70 million, but fell short of expectations.
Reviews for the film were mixed, with its Rotten Tomatoes score dropping from 63% to 33% by its first weekend in theaters. Audience reactions were even more disappointing, with the film receiving a deadly D CinemaScore and low ratings from PostTrak polls. Despite the star power of Phoenix and the addition of Lady Gaga to the cast, "Joker: Folie à Deux" failed to resonate with viewers.
The film's reported budget has also raised eyebrows, with estimates ranging from $190 million to $200 million. This makes its $40 million opening weekend even more concerning, as a less expensive movie with a similar debut would be considered solid. Internationally, the film has earned $81.1 million, bringing its global total to $121.1 million.
While some high-profile defenders, such as Francis Ford Coppola, have praised the film, others have criticized its decision to blend prison drama, courthouse thriller, and musical elements. The choice to make the sequel a musical has been particularly divisive, with some industry experts suggesting that fans of the original movie were not interested in seeing a musical sequel.
Overall, the weekend box office was up from the same frame last year, but "Joker's" underwhelming start has left theater owners hoping for a stronger showing in the coming weeks. The film's performance will be closely watched as it opens in additional international markets.