Warner Bros. CEO Calls Joker: Folie à Deux a Disappointment

Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO David Zaslav has labeled the performance of Joker: Folie à Deux as "disappointing" during an earnings call, reflecting the studio's ongoing struggle with inconsistent box office results. The film, released in October, debuted with a domestic box office of $37.8 million, significantly lower than its predecessor's $96.2 million opening. Following a steep drop in its second weekend, Joker 2 slipped to the third spot at the box office with only $7 million in earnings. The report highlighted the studio's box office struggles across its film slate, with overall theatrical revenue down 40% year-over-year. Despite the mixed reviews from critics, including a low score from IGN, some industry figures like Hideo Kojima and Quentin Tarantino expressed appreciation for its artistic intentions. Warner Bros. Discovery plans to address its underperforming games business, while its streaming service is reportedly thriving, adding 7.2 million subscribers in the third quarter.

The disappointing performance of Joker: Folie à Deux can be attributed to several factors, including its lower promotional effectiveness compared to the original Joker and mixed critical reception, leading to a significant box office drop after its opening weekend.

Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2019 film Joker, which starred Joaquin Phoenix and received numerous accolades, including Academy Awards. Directed again by Todd Phillips, the sequel attempts to blend musical elements with the existing darker themes, a bold approach that has sparked varied reactions among audiences and critics alike. As a part of DC's cinematic universe, its performance has direct implications for the future of DC films and Warner Bros.' strategic direction in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.