Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, debuted to a disappointing $37.8 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada. This figure falls significantly short of Warner Bros.' optimistic projections, which anticipated earnings of up to $70 million.
Despite a warm reception at the Venice Film Festival last month, where the film garnered applause, reports suggest Lady Gaga is surprised by the negative reviews. A source revealed that she had high hopes for the film, believing it could secure her an Oscar nomination, especially following the success of the first Joker film, which earned Phoenix an Academy Award.
The film's performance took a sharp decline over the weekend, with a 44.4% drop from Friday to Saturday and a further 45.3% drop from Saturday to Sunday. Internationally, its total earnings are now estimated at $114.7 million, down from earlier projections of $121.1 million.
In Brazil, the film attracted over 900,000 viewers, generating approximately $20.43 million. However, it still lags behind other 2024 releases. With a production budget of $200 million, the film needs to earn significantly more to be considered profitable.