Summary
TheJoker: Folie à Deuxdigital release has been a flop, making it difficult to see Warner Bros. mitigating the DC film’s financial losses.
Joker2opened to dismal reviews from most critics. However,Folie à Deuxalso failed to resonate with moviegoers, who were largely more positive toward the firstJokermovie than most critics. That inability to resonate with audiences resulted inJoker 2bombing at the box officeand receiving a digital release less than one month after its theatrical debut. While Warner Bros. may have hoped to recoup some of its investment withJoker 2’s digital release, audiences appeared to have no interest in forking out money to rent or buyJoker 2.
Colliderreports thatJoker 2debuted in 4th place on iTunes and Fandango’s chartsfollowing its October 29 digital release. On iTunes–which bases rankings on the number of transactions–Joker 2ranked behind3rd place finisherThe Substance, a body horror movie starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Fandango bases its rankings on how much revenue a film earns, butJoker 2was still only able to reach fourth place. This is hardly a strong digital debut for a new release, especially consideringBeetlejuice 2was able to climb back to the number one spot on both iTunes and Fandango despite being in its fourth week of home release.
Roughly a week after it debuted on home entertainment platforms, a newJoker 2promo was released to promote its digital release. The ad centered onJoker 2courtroom sceneswhere Zazie Beetz’s Sophie Dumond and Leigh Gill’s Gary Puddle give testimony at Arthur Fleck’s trial. However, fans couldn’t help but notice the ad largely featured footage from the firstJokermovie. While this was arguably a reasonable decision considering Dumon and Puddle are recounting events from the first movie,Reddit fansargued Warner Bros. was trying to convince fans to buy or rent the second film by reminding them of its more successful predecessor.
Those familiar withJoker 2’s finances reportedly said the film needs to earn $450 million to break even, but Warner Bros. insiders claimed it would do so at $375 million. Regardless,Joker 2failed to reach either threshold and is leaving theaters with just $204 million worldwide.Joker 2is estimated to lose $125–200 millionfor Warner Bros, and if there was any hope of cutting those losses, it is seemingly dashed by the film’s poor performance on digital platforms.
Joker: Folie à Deuxis available on digital platforms.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker’s lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
