The significant financial impact of Joker 2 on Warner Bros. has been revealed. Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 Joker film, was released earlier this month.
Despite the hype and anticipation, its performance has been a major letdown. The film currently holds a low 32 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many moviegoers leaving theaters disappointed. The sequel has struggled at the box office, with Variety reporting domestic earnings of $51.5 million and $165 million globally in its first two weeks.
Variety projects that Joker 2 will reach about $65 million in the US and between $210 million and $215 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run.
These figures present a challenge for Warner Bros., as the movie reportedly cost $200 million to produce, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing and distribution. Warner Bros. insiders are hoping the film will at least break even, though the studio likely had hoped for a substantial profit.
Many fans shared their thoughts on social media after watching the sequel, and the feedback on X has been largely negative.
One viewer commented: “Watching Joker 2 because the first one was good and I thought the bad reviews were exaggerated… They weren’t. Don’t let curiosity trick you into watching it. It’s the worst movie I’ve ever seen.”
Another wrote: “I watched Joker 2 tonight and it’s my least favorite movie ever. Terrible script, awful performances, everything is boring. Completely hollow.”
However, not all reactions were negative. One five-star review praised the film, saying: “It’s not for everyone, but those who can immerse themselves in the story will love it. The acting was phenomenal.”