Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s 'Joker: Folie a Deux' opens with $7 Mn in US previews

The highly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has debuted in the United States, grossing an estimated $7 million from preview shows. This follow-up to the Oscar-nominated Joker (2019) is targeting an opening weekend box office between $45 million and $50 million.

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While the first film made waves at the box office with a staggering $1.07 billion global gross on a modest $65 million budget, Folie a Deux faces challenges with its significantly higher production cost of $200 million and mixed critical reception. In comparison, the original Joker earned $13.3 million in Thursday previews, culminating in a robust $96.2 million opening weekend.

Current projections suggest that Joker 2 may fall short of its predecessor, with estimates indicating a Friday gross of around $20 million, potentially leading to a weekend total closer to $45 million-$50 million. Concerns are mounting over negative word-of-mouth and unfavorable reviews circulating on social media, which could impact ticket sales.

This sequel continues the story of Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Phoenix, who is seen as the infamous Batman villain, Joker. Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harley Quinn, bringing a musical element that sets this film apart from the darker, psychological tone of the original.