05-05-2025
JOKER 2's Wild Ride Ends in a $144 Million Loss for WB, Roughly the Budget of WONDER WOMAN — GeekTyrant
As you know, Joker: Folie á Deux didn't exactly laugh its way to the bank. Despite its high-profile cast and the legacy of the 2019 Joker , which grossed over a billion dollars, this sequel has become one of Warner Bros.' most expensive misfires in recent memory.
According to a recent Deadline report, Joker 2 left Warner Bros. staring at a staggering $144.25 million net loss. That's almost the same amount it cost to make the first Wonder Woman , a film that grossed $824 million globally and became a cultural touchstone. Joker 2 ? Not so much.
Directed once again by Todd Phillips, Folie á Deux brought back Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, and he was joined by Lady Gaga as Harley 'Lee' Quinzel.
The film attempted something unique, a musical psychological thriller, but the results didn't resonate. With a Rotten Tomatoes score sitting at 31%, the critical reception frigid. It also picked up a few Razzie Awards.
Financially, here's the breakdown that really stings: Production budget: $200 million
Marketing & distribution (P&A): $106.3 million
Total cost: $371.3 million
Total revenue: $227 million
Net loss: -$144.3 million
This sequel gambled big, and lost bigger. The studio was hoping that lightning would strike twice, but it didn't. Double down on stylized risk didn't work.
Joker: Folie á Deux is now streaming on Max if you're curious to see what $371 million looks like when it goes sideways.
Did you see the movie? What did you think of the direction it took compared to the first?
