Joker: Folie à Deux’s Weekend Box Office Struggles as Returns Fall Flat

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Despite high expectations and star-studded performances, Joker: Folie à Deux has stumbled out of the gate with a lackluster opening weekend, pulling in just $40 million domestically. This number pales in comparison to the original Joker film, which earned the same amount in a single day back in 2019, setting an October box office record.

Folie à Deux, the much-anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Joker, stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Despite this powerhouse pairing, the film has struggled to capture the box office magic of its predecessor. Critics have been lukewarm, with many calling the film “bleak” and failing to live up to its ambitious musical aspirations.

The film’s international numbers offered a glimmer of hope, adding $81.1 million to its global total of $121 million, but even these results are far below projections. Comparatively, the 2019 Joker film went on to rake in over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. Folie à Deux’s underwhelming start places it alongside other superhero sequels that have failed to meet franchise expectations, such as The Marvels, which also saw a muted opening.

The film’s daring narrative, which blends psychological drama with musical elements, was a bold choice by director Todd Phillips. Phillips aimed to explore the inner chaos of Arthur Fleck, with musical performances as a symbolic expression of Fleck’s emotions. “We wanted to create something completely different. It’s not just a musical, but it has music that reflects Arthur’s internal world,” Phillips said in recent interviews.

While fans were excited about the unique approach, audience reactions have been mixed, with many unsure if the genre-bending risk paid off. Despite Lady Gaga’s compelling portrayal of Harley Quinn and Phoenix’s return to the role that won him an Academy Award, Folie à Deux has struggled to resonate with moviegoers.

Though the film’s opening weekend has been disappointing, there’s still hope for a turnaround. With the combined star power of Phoenix and Gaga, the film could see a boost in the coming weeks, especially as global markets continue to embrace the film’s daring style. However, for now, Joker: Folie à Deux’s box office returns are no laughing matter.