Joker: Folie à Deux faces box office struggles, digital release date confirmed amid $200M loss

The film’s early home release is seen as Warner Bros.’ effort to recover from its underwhelming box office run.

"Joker: Folie à Deux," the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 "Joker," has been labeled a major box office disappointment, with a projected loss of $150-$200 million. Despite high expectations following the original film’s $1 billion success, the sequel received largely negative reviews, earning only a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. As a result of poor audience turnout and a steep Week 2 box office drop, Warner Bros. has announced an early digital release for October 29, less than a month after its theatrical debut.

Critics have pointed to both Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck and the film's overall direction as reasons for its failure to resonate with audiences. This stark contrast to the first film’s overwhelming success highlights how audience tastes and box office dynamics have shifted since 2019. As "Joker: Folie à Deux" prepares for its digital release, Warner Bros. hopes that strong home streaming performance might recoup some of the financial loss.

The shift from theaters to digital platforms, especially in such a short window, reflects a growing trend in the industry and signals that "Joker: Folie à Deux" may have more success with viewers at home.