"Joker: Folie à Deux" made an estimated $81.1 million in its debut weekend, leading the international box office. The sequel to 2019's "Joker" fell short domestically, earning only $40 million so Variety reported. The unconventional comic book film has amassed $121.1 million globally.
Warner Bros., the film's financier, faces a challenge as "Joker: Folie à Deux" had a hefty production cost of $200 million, far exceeding the $65 million budget of the original "Joker." The movie has received negative reviews, with audiences echoing critics by giving it a disappointing "D" CinemaScore. The increased expenses are mainly attributed to the fees for director Phillips, actors Joaquin Phoenix reprising the role of Arthur Fleck, and Lady Gaga adding her own twist to Harley Quinn, a beloved character from the comics.
The movie was shown on 25,788 screens across 76 international markets. Key highlights include "Joker: Folie à Deux" earning $8 million in the U.K., $6.9 million in Germany, $5.6 million in Italy, $5.5 million in Mexico, and $5 million in France. It is scheduled to premiere in Japan next week and then in China on Oct. 16.
The original "Joker" was a huge success, bringing in $335 million in the United States and $743 million globally. It held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film until "Deadpool & Wolverine" surpassed it with $1.32 billion in worldwide earnings. Despite the mixed reactions to "Joker 2," director Phillips announced his departure from the comic book genre, stating, "It was enjoyable to explore this universe in two films, but I believe we have expressed all we intended to in this realm," he informed Variety in August.