Summary
After a disastrous outing at the box office, Warner Bros. is planning to bringJoker:Folie à Deuxto the small screen much earlier than expected.
The film, directed by Todd Phillips, is the sequel to the 2019 movie that broke several box-office records. Even though it received a mixed response from critics, the first film in the franchise went on to earn more than $1 billion globally and received 11 nominations at the Academy Awards. So, it didn’t come as a shock when the production giant and Phillips announced a sequel to the hit film. However,Joker2received more polarizing reviews than the first one and bombed at the box office. As a result, Warner Bros. has announced that the film will be released on home entertainment platforms much sooner than originally anticipated.
According toVariety,Joker: Folie à Deuxis set to hit home entertainment platforms on October 29, just a few weeks after its theatrical release on October 4. This quick turnaround contrasts with the release strategy for the originalJokerfilm, which debuted in theaters on Jul 13, 2025, but wasn’t available on digital platforms until December 17—over two months later. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, the sequel marks a significant shift in distribution timing, offering fans the chance to enjoy the sequel from the comfort of their homes much earlier than anticipated. This is one of the biggest signs of the film yielding disappointing results at the box office.
The sequel to the 2019 film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2024 and even though the movie received a massive standing ovation, the reactions were very polarizing. It should be noted that the reactions to the first film were also polarizing, but most of them were positive. On the contrary, the reviews for the second movie were mixed to negative. Initially, there were reports that Joker 2 might earn more than $100 million domestically in its opening weekend. Unfortunately, negative word of mouth played a significant role in the movie’s debacle at the box office, and it made only $37.8 million in North America. As per industry trends, the movie dropped a record 81% in its second weekend and earned only $7.05 million. As per the projections, Warner Bros. might lose $150 to $200 million during Joker 2’s theatrical run.
After facing challenges both critically and at the box office,Joker: Folie à Deuxnow has an opportunity to redeem itself on digital platforms. Its underwhelming performance in theaters has left much to be desired, but a successful run in the home entertainment market could provide a much-needed boost. While strong digital sales and streaming views may not entirely compensatefor its disappointing box office numbers, they could help the film gain a wider audience and generate additional revenue, offering a second chance at success. This shift to digital could prove crucial for the movie’s overall reception and profitability. It would be interesting to see if Joker 2 gets successful on streaming platforms and helps WB with recovering the cost.
