Joker: Folie à Deux Theatrical Release and Streaming Details

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated film Joker: Folie à Deux is set to open in theaters this weekend, creating a buzz among fans and cinephiles alike. As the sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker (2019), which earned 11 Academy Award nominations and won Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor, expectations are sky-high for this follow-up. The original film also made history as the first R-rated movie to surpass $1 billion at the global box office, a distinction it now shares with hits like Deadpool and Wolverine.

In this new installment, Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, who finds himself institutionalized at Arkham Asylum while awaiting trial for the heinous crimes he committed while donning the iconic clown makeup. Inside the asylum, Arthur encounters his true love, Lee Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn, portrayed by Lady Gaga. This romantic relationship adds an intriguing layer to the story, with the film incorporating elements of a jukebox musical into its narrative, a departure from the crime thriller themes established in the first Joker film. As anticipation builds, Joker: Folie à Deux will have its previews on Thursday evening before opening to the public nationwide on Friday. For now, the only way to experience the film is in theaters, so viewers are encouraged to check local listings for showtimes.

Once Joker: Folie à Deux is available for home viewing, it will first be accessible through digital streaming platforms via premium video on demand (PVOD). This method allows viewers to rent or purchase the film on services like Prime Video, AppleTV+, VUDU, YouTube, and Google Play. Typical PVOD pricing ranges from $24.99 to $29.99 for purchases and $19.99 to $24.99 for 48-hour rentals. The time frame for a theatrical release to transition to PVOD usually hinges on the film’s box office performance. Warner Bros. has been known to shorten this window. For instance, their recent hit, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which debuted in theaters on September 6, generated an impressive $134.5 million in its opening weekend. Despite this success, it is set to be available on PVOD as early as October 8, just over a month after its theatrical release.

Currently, projections suggest that Joker: Folie à Deux will perform similarly to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with estimates indicating that it may earn between $50 million and $65 million domestically, and around $80 million to $85 million internationally, for an opening weekend total between $130 million and $150 million. If the film’s box office trajectory aligns with its predecessor, fans could potentially see Joker: Folie à Deux available on PVOD in just over a month, possibly on November 5 or November 8, as new PVOD titles typically drop on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, several factors could delay the PVOD release of Joker: Folie à Deux. One significant consideration is the film’s production cost, which is reported to be around $200 million, double that of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which had a $100 million budget. A film with a higher production cost typically stays longer in theaters to maximize revenue. Additionally, if Joker: Folie à Deux mirrors the success of the original Joker, which grossed $1.07 billion worldwide, the wait for its PVOD debut could be extended.

For instance, Dune: Part Two had a production budget of $250 million and took 47 days from its theatrical release to its PVOD debut. If Joker: Folie à Deux follows a similar pattern, it may not be available for digital streaming until around November 19. After its initial PVOD run, Joker: Folie à Deux will likely make its way to Max, the streaming platform for Warner Bros. releases. To watch the film on Max, viewers will need to be subscribers, with subscription tiers ranging from $9.99 per month for an ad-supported version to $20.99 per month for the 4K Ultra HD format without ads. The duration it takes for Warner Bros. films to appear on Max varies; for example, Dune: Part Two took 74 days from its theatrical release to debut on the platform. If Joker: Folie à Deux adheres to this timeline, fans might expect its streaming debut on Max around the week of December 15.

With its star-studded cast and a unique blend of genres, Joker: Folie à Deux is poised to make waves at the box office. As audiences eagerly await its release, the questions surrounding its streaming timeline remain a hot topic. Given the evolving landscape of film distribution and Warner Bros.’ strategic decisions, fans will need to keep an eye on the film’s performance to better predict when they can enjoy this much-anticipated sequel from the comfort of their homes.