The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed ‘Joker’, titled ‘Joker: Folie a Deux’, had its Indian premiere on October 2nd, coinciding with the public holiday of Gandhi Jayanti. However, the film’s box office performance on its opening day fell short of expectations, generating a net collection of ₹5 crore. Despite the buzz surrounding the film and the potential for a larger audience due to the holiday, ‘Joker 2’ failed to attract significant crowds.
While the film’s English occupancy reached 22.70% overall, a closer look at the numbers reveals a disparity across different formats. IMAX 2D screenings saw the highest occupancy at 64.58%, while the 2D, ICE, and 4DX formats ranged from 38.87% to 43.32%. These figures suggest that the film might be drawing in audiences interested in the larger-than-life cinematic experience offered by premium formats.
Internationally, ‘Joker 2’ had a slightly better start. The film was released in Korea on October 1st and managed to gross $1.3 Million on its opening day. The US release is scheduled for October 4th, and the filmmakers are aiming for a global debut weekend gross of $140 Million.
The film’s lukewarm reception in India has sparked discussions about the reasons behind its underwhelming performance. Some speculate that the film’s darker and more introspective tone, compared to the original ‘Joker’, might not have resonated as strongly with Indian audiences. However, it’s still early days for the film’s box office journey, and its performance in other major markets, particularly the US, will be crucial in determining its overall success.
‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ is directed by Todd Phillips and features a star-studded cast, including Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the iconic villain alongside Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz. The film has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its ambition and artistic merit while others find it disappointing and underwhelming compared to its predecessor. The film, produced with a budget of $190-200 million, continues to generate discussion and speculation about its potential to succeed in the increasingly competitive landscape of superhero movies.
