Joker: Folie à Deux was one of the most anticipated films of 2024—and it became one of the year’s most staggering failures. Following in the footsteps of the massively successful 2019 Joker, expectations were sky-high for director Todd Phillips and returning star Joaquin Phoenix.
Add Lady Gaga to the mix and a production budget nearing $200 million, and Warner Bros. was clearly betting big. Instead, the sequel landed with a thud, leaving behind a wake of financial losses, baffled audiences, and a Hollywood industry still trying to make sense of what happened.
Joker 2: What Went So Wrong?
By the Numbers: A Brutal Box Office Breakdown
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $190–200 million |
| Estimated Break-Even Point | ~$375–450 million |
| Worldwide Gross | $207.5 million |
| Domestic Gross | $58.3 million |
| International Gross | $149.2 million |
| Estimated Losses | $125–200 million |
| CinemaScore | D |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 31% (critics & audience) |
Despite a global haul north of $200 million, Joker 2 fell far short of recouping its production and marketing costs. Most blockbusters must double their production budget to turn a profit, accounting for revenue splits with theaters and massive global marketing pushes. Warner Bros. reportedly spent an additional $100 million+ on promotion, meaning the film needed to gross at least $400 million just to break even.
Critical Reception: A Harsh Wake-Up Call
While the original Joker polarized critics, it generated massive cultural momentum and even earned Phoenix an Oscar. Folie à Deux, however, was nearly universally panned.
- Rotten Tomatoes: Just 31% from both critics and audiences.
- CinemaScore: A dismal “D”—one of the worst for any comic book movie.
- Review Consensus: Critics described the film as “a tonal mess,” “needlessly bleak,” and “a musical without melody.”
Many felt the movie abandoned what made Joker work in the first place: a gritty, grounded exploration of mental illness and society’s underbelly. In its place came a surreal, music-driven psychological fantasy that confused genre lines and alienated fans.
The Musical Gamble That Backfired
One of the boldest—and most controversial—choices was reimagining the Joker sequel as a musical. While Lady Gaga’s involvement was supposed to lend star power and Broadway cred, the musical numbers were divisive at best and embarrassing at worst.
Some fans expected a hybrid approach, akin to La La Land or Sweeney Todd. Instead, the film leaned heavily into full-blown musical theatrics layered atop an already grim narrative. The result was a tonal clash that critics dubbed “misery with melody” and audiences found jarring and hard to connect with.
Why It Flopped: A Perfect Storm of Missteps
| Factor | Impact Summary |
|---|---|
| Genre Shift | Turned off fans expecting a gritty psychological drama like the original. |
| Weak Word-of-Mouth | Poor CinemaScore and online chatter dissuaded casual viewers. |
| Unnecessary Sequel | Many felt the original Joker stood alone; a sequel felt forced. |
| Lackluster Marketing | Trailers and posters gave unclear messages, confusing the film’s identity. |
| Box Office Competition | Released during a crowded slate of popular, cheaper films. |
| Overhype & Expectations | The original’s success made failure feel more dramatic by comparison. |
Unlike its predecessor, Folie à Deux didn’t feel like a cultural moment—it felt like an indulgence.
Lessons From a $200M Misfire
The downfall of Joker: Folie à Deux highlights the dangers of franchise momentum and creative overreach. It’s a reminder that critical and financial success doesn’t guarantee repeat performance—especially when you veer too far from what made the original resonate. Studios betting big on genre subversions must walk a fine line between innovation and alienation. In this case, the gamble didn’t pay off.
Want the sequel? Great. Want it to be a musical? Bold. But in 2024, audiences voted with their wallets—and they said no.
Other Major Box Office Bombs of 2024
| Movie Title | Estimated Budget | Worldwide Gross | Estimated Losses | Key Reasons for Underperformance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joker: Folie à Deux | $190–200M | $207.5M | $125M–$200M | Genre shift, poor reviews, musical format alienated fans |
| Argylle | $200M+ | ~$96M | Over $100M | Weak storyline, negative critic reviews, poor marketing |
| Madame Web | $80M | ~$100M | Minimal profit/loss | Mocked online, meme-worthy dialogue, poor reception |
| Movie Title | Estimated Budget | Worldwide Gross | Estimated Losses | Key Reasons for Underperformance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | $168M | $174.3M | $119M | Prequel fatigue, limited appeal, high expectations |
| Borderlands | $110–120M | $33M | $80M | Negative reviews, weak adaptation, lack of audience interest |
| Megalopolis | $120–136M | $14.3M | $76M | Experimental narrative, limited marketing, divisive reception |
| Kraven the Hunter | $110–130M | $62M | $71M | Poor critical reception, franchise fatigue, weak marketing |
Key Takeaways
- “Joker: Folie à Deux” released in theaters on October 4, 2024, with digital availability beginning October 29, 2024.
- The sequel stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck alongside Lady Gaga in a musical-infused continuation of the Joker’s story.
- The film will be available on Max streaming service in December 2024, with an HBO linear debut on December 14.
Production Insights
The development of “Joker: Folie à Deux” required meticulous attention to detail from all members of the production team. Director Todd Phillips has now completed post-production, with the film ready for its scheduled October 4, 2024 release date.
Creative Team and Development
Todd Phillips returned to direct the highly anticipated sequel, collaborating again with co-writer Scott Silver to craft the screenplay. The pair aimed to build upon the dark psychological elements that made the first film a critical success.
Warner Bros. and DC Films provided strong backing for the project despite its unconventional approach to comic book adaptations. Unlike typical superhero movies, “Joker: Folie à Deux” continues the character-driven narrative established in the original.
The cinematographer has teased that the sequel “is going to surprise a lot of people,” suggesting innovative visual storytelling techniques. The film completed post-production in early 2024, giving the team ample time for final adjustments before its October premiere.
Casting and Characters
Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, the troubled comedian whose descent into madness captivated audiences in the first film. The sequel introduces Lady Gaga in a major role, widely reported to be Harley Quinn, Joker’s infamous accomplice.
Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie Dumond, Arthur’s neighbor whose relationship with him was ambiguous in the original film. New cast members include Brendan Gleeson and Harry Lawtey in undisclosed roles that add depth to the expanding narrative.
Lady Gaga’s casting generated significant buzz, highlighting the film’s reported musical elements that set it apart from traditional comic book adaptations. The title “Folie à Deux” refers to a shared psychosis between two people, hinting at the central relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn.
Anticipation and Industry Impact
The release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” on October 4, 2024, generated significant buzz across both mainstream audiences and industry insiders. The sequel’s unique musical approach and star-studded cast created a perfect storm of anticipation.
Release and Expectations
Warner Bros. Pictures positioned the film strategically with its October release date, exactly five years after the original “Joker” premiered. The timing wasn’t accidental – fall releases often target awards season consideration, suggesting the studio’s confidence in the project’s potential for Oscar recognition.
Industry analysts tracked the film closely after the original “Joker” earned over $1 billion globally on a modest budget. The sequel’s increased production costs due to its musical elements and Lady Gaga’s casting raised the stakes for box office performance.
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, generating early critical reactions before its theatrical rollout.
Cultural and Business Perspectives
DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran watched the project with interest, as it existed outside their main continuity plans. The standalone nature of “Joker: Folie à Deux” represented Warner Bros. Discovery’s willingness to pursue creator-driven projects despite broader franchise considerations.
Theater owners expressed optimism about the sequel’s drawing power. The original film drove significant theatrical attendance, particularly among adult audiences seeking mature content within the comic book genre.
The musical elements marked a bold creative choice. Industry executives viewed the film as a test case for genre-blending experimentation with established intellectual property.
CinemaCon attendees in April 2024 received early glimpses of footage, fueling the marketing momentum leading to release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Viewers and fans have many questions about the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024 and was released in theaters on October 4, 2024.
When will tickets for ‘Joker 2’ become available for purchase?
Tickets for “Joker: Folie à Deux” became available for purchase in September 2024, approximately one month before the theatrical release date. Major theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark offered advanced ticket sales through their websites and mobile apps.
Fandango and other online ticket services also provided options for pre-ordering tickets. Some theaters offered special opening night fan events with exclusive merchandise.
Who has been cast in the upcoming ‘Joker 2’ film?
Joaquin Phoenix returned as Arthur Fleck/Joker, reprising his Oscar-winning role from the first film. Lady Gaga joined the cast as Harley Quinn, marking her continued expansion into dramatic acting roles.
The film also features returning cast member Zazie Beetz. New additions to the ensemble include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Jacob Lofland in supporting roles.
Is there a trailer available for ‘Joker 2’?
Yes, the official trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux” was released in early 2024. Warner Bros. Pictures published the trailer on their official YouTube channel and across social media platforms.
Additional teasers and promotional clips were shared throughout the summer of 2024. The final trailer debuted in August 2024, giving viewers more insight into the musical elements of the film.
On which platforms can ‘Joker 2’ be streamed after its theatrical release?
“Joker: Folie à Deux” will be available to stream on Max starting December 13, 2024. This follows Warner Bros.’ typical pattern of bringing theatrical releases to their streaming platform.
The film may also become available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play before the Max release. International streaming availability may vary by region.
When is ‘Joker 2’ expected to be available on DVD and Blu-ray?
Physical media releases typically occur 3-4 months after theatrical debut. Based on this timeline, “Joker: Folie à Deux” should be available on DVD and Blu-ray around January or February 2025.
Special collector’s editions and steelbook versions may also be released. Pre-orders for physical copies will likely become available in late 2024.
What are the details regarding ‘Joker 2’ on IMDb, such as ratings and reviews?
On IMDb, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is listed with its full production details, including the October 4, 2024 release date. The film is also known by the alternative title “Juliet” in some markets.
The page features the complete cast and crew listing, production companies, and filming locations. User ratings and reviews are continuously updated as more viewers see the film.
