In a shocking twist that even the Joker himself would find amusing, "Joker: Folie À Deux" made a striking debut at the box office—but not in the way anyone hoped. Despite being marketed as a highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning original, the film garnered only $40 million in its opening weekend in the U.S., a staggering drop from the $96.2 million launch of its predecessor in 2019. This drastic difference has left many industry insiders questioning how a highly anticipated follow-up from the same creative team could stumble so dramatically.

Just weeks prior, tracking services estimated a debut of $70 million, which still fell short of expectations. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it initially received a 12-minute standing ovation. However, the positive buzz quickly fizzled out, reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes score plummeting from 63% at Venice to a mere 33% by its first weekend in theaters. Audiences were notably harsher; the film received a dreadfully low D CinemaScore and score of just half a star in exit polls.

With production costs reportedly ranging from $190 million to $200 million, it’s important to understand how the film's budget could have impacted its box office performance. Released in 4,102 locations across North America—including 415 IMAX screens, which contributed 12.5% of its domestic earnings—the film faces an uphill battle in recouping its costs.

On the international stage, "Joker 2" has managed to generate $81.1 million from over 25,000 screens, bringing its global total to $121.1 million. Soon, it will expand its reach further with releases set for Japan and China.

Meanwhile, the box office race saw "The Wild Robot" take second place with $18.7 million in its second weekend, accumulating a domestic total nearing $64 million. Other films like "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and "Transformers One" also performed solidly, leaving "Joker: Folie À Deux" struggling for a foothold.

The addition of Lady Gaga as the Joker's superfan, alongside Phillips’ decision to turn this sequel into a musical, has led to mixed reactions. Critics argue that these creative choices may have alienated fans of the original film, with some calling the sequel a "middle finger" to its audience. While Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix envisioned creating something bold and different, the inherent risks of such a direction appear to have backfired.

Critics have been vocal, with reviews highlighting that the hybrid genre—blending prison drama, courtroom thriller, and musical—ultimately felt less impactful than the first movie. Notably, industry figures like Francis Ford Coppola have come out in support of Phillips, praising his unique artistic vision.

As the box office weekend wraps up, it’s clear that "Joker: Folie À Deux" has not just stumbled—it’s left theater owners anxious for what the coming weeks will hold. Will audience opinions shift as more fans see it? Or will the negative reception continue to haunt this ambitious sequel? Only time will tell. The box office woes of "Joker 2" are a stark reminder of how difficult it can be to follow up an iconic original, regardless of the talent involved. Keep your eyes peeled; the saga isn’t over yet!