Joker 2 Marks Historic Low Point for Comic Book Films

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix perform in Joker 2. — Warner Bros. Pictures

Joker: Folie à Deux has officially hit a low point that no other comic book film has reached in a notable statistic.

Joker has steadily diminished. A month later, the film has garnered a predominantly negative reception from both critics and general audiences. It is also anticipated to debut with significantly lower earnings than its predecessor’s impressive $96 million opening weekend.

In addition to its underwhelming reception, Joker: Folie à Deux is reported to have received a D CinemaScore. This unfortunate rating puts the sequel beneath the notoriously bad Fantastic Four from 2015, which previously held the record for the lowest-rated comic book film with a C- grade.

For comparison, the first Joker was well-received, earning a B+ rating upon its release in 2019. Similarly, Sony’s Madame Web and its C+ rating faced unfavorable reviews earlier this year.

Arthur and Lee dance on a fake rooftop in Joker 2. — Warner Bros. Pictures

Just a few months ago, it would have seemed absurd to predict such poor performance for Joker: Folie à Deux among audiences. However, the film, which continues the narrative from the original Joker while blending musical and courtroom elements, has increasingly been considered one of the least favored films of 2024. Its dismal CinemaScore and lackluster box office performance cement this disappointing outlook.

It’s surprisingly disappointing to witness Joker: Folie à Deux lag behind its predecessor by such a margin. The first Joker not only exceeded $1 billion at the box office but also gained multiple Academy Award nominations, winning several. Joaquin Phoenix earned the Best Actor Oscar in 2020 for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck.

Warner Bros. had high hopes that Folie à Deux would at least somewhat mirror the success of its predecessor, but that prospect appears increasingly unlikely as time goes on.

Joker: Folie à Deux is currently available in theaters.