‘Folie a Deux’ Makes $7 Million in Previews

The box office is no laughing matter this weekend, because Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is back.

“Joker: Folie a Deux,” the sequel to the Oscar-nominated, DC Comic book film “Joker,” is opening in theaters this weekend and has made $7 million in Thursday previews so far. Phoenix’s crazed, killer Batman villain is back, and he’s now joined by Lady Gaga as the equally insane Harley Quinn.

The sequel will attempt to reach the high mark set by the 2019 original, but it will be a nearly impossible challenge. “Joker” made an astounding $1.07 billion at the global box office from a tiny $65 million budget; “Folie a Deux,” on the other hand, carries a $200 million price tag and hasn’t received as many positive reviews as its predecessor. The first film made $13.3 million in Thursday previews on its way to a $96.2 million opening weekend, while the sequel is on track to make a smaller $50 million to $65 million in the same timeframe.

Like the original, “Joker: Folie a Deux” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, but it didn’t live up to the impact set in 2019 when “Joker” won the prestigious Golden Lion. While the first movie was a gritty character study that won Phoenix the Oscar for best actor, “Folie a Deux” switches things up and serves as a twisted musical and love story from the minds of Joker and Harley. With Gaga’s vocals on display, the movie also expanded its cast with Brendan Gleeson, Harry Lawtey, Catherine Keener and more.

Also opening this weekend is Lionsgate’s “White Bird,” a prequel and sequel to the Jacob Tremblay-starring “Wonder” from 2017. It’s on track for a single-digit opening.