Joker: Folie à Deux Opens Below Expectations

Joker: Folie à Deux is experiencing a significant box office failure, projected to earn between $250 million and $275 million globally against a $200 million budget, requiring at least $450 million to break even. The sequel's opening weekend grossed just $37.8 million domestically, significantly lower than the original Joker's $96.2 million, and has received poor critical and audience reviews. Analysts suggest that the film's below-expectation performance follows a trend of sequels undermining their predecessors, compounded by Warner Bros.'s ongoing struggles with other box office flops. Despite a star-studded cast including Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film's narrative and execution have not resonated with audiences as the first did. Industry experts are calling this release a 'huge disaster', raising concerns about the future of the DC cinematic universe. As the film faces a steep second-weekend decline, it remains uncertain how much longer it can sustain its theatrical run.