After its box office struggles, Joker 2, also known as Joker: Folie à Deux, will soon be available on home entertainment platforms. Its digital release date is reportedly set for less than a month after its theatrical debut. Reports indicate that Warner Bros. hopes to recover some of its investment through digital and streaming sales after the film faced disappointing ticket sales and poor critical reception.
Joker 2’s digital release date revealed less than a month after box office flop
The date for Joker 2’s digital release has reportedly been revealed as October 29, 2024, following its theatrical release on October 4, 2024, in the U.S.
The decision to release it digitally on October 29, as per Variety, has come after the movie underperformed at the box office. It has earned $165 million globally so far. The first Joker film grossed $248.4 million in just three days, marking a steep decline for the sequel.
The film, which had an approximately $300 million budget (including production and marketing costs), is anticipated to lose around $150-200 million. Analysts expect the movie to end its domestic run with $65 million, while global earnings may reach $210-215 million by the end of its run.
Joker: Folie à Deux received poor reviews, with a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score and a rare “D” grade on CinemaScore. The film’s unconventional musical format and mixed audience reception contributed to its lackluster performance. This is a significant departure from the 2019 Joker, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing R-rated film in history until it was surpassed by Deadpool & Wolverine recently.
Warner Bros. anticipates revenue from the film’s digital release and international markets. This includes China, where the movie is still showing. Ultimately, while the theatrical performance of Joker: Folie à Deux fell short of expectations, Warner Bros. looks to recover losses through its upcoming digital debut.
