Todd Phillips’ much-awaited Joker: Folie à Deux hit Indian cinemas on October 2, 2024, two days ahead of its global release. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Joker took advantage of the Gandhi Jayanti holiday, earning a solid ₹5 crore on its opening day at the Indian box office, as per Sacnilk. The early release provided Joker 2 with an edge, especially as it faced no immediate competition from major Bollywood films.
Factors Behind the Opening Day Success
Joker 2 benefited from the mid-week holiday and the absence of fresh Bollywood releases. This allowed the film to cash in on the festive spirit and draw in large crowds. Although the sequel has faced mixed reviews, its box office performance is expected to pick up again over the weekend.
The movie is competing primarily with Stree 2, a successful horror-comedy by Amar Kaushik, and Devara: Part 1, a Telugu action epic directed by Koratala Siva, both of which still hold strong at the box office.
What to Expect from Joker 2 in India
While Thursday's numbers may dip slightly due to it being a working day, the weekend box office is expected to show strong growth for Joker 2. With no new major domestic films releasing, it has an open field to draw in even larger audiences in the coming days.
Global Box Office Expectations
Globally, Joker 2 is anticipated to open big, especially in North America and other major markets when it releases worldwide on October 4. The first Joker movie set records as the highest-grossing R-rated film, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. Its success was recently surpassed by Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine, but expectations for the sequel remain high.
About Joker 2: Folie à Deux
The film continues the story of Arthur Fleck, the infamous Joker, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, who won his first Academy Award for his role in the original. This time, the story takes a more musical twist, with Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn, who becomes the Joker’s partner-in-crime and love interest. Directed by Todd Phillips and co-written by Scott Silver, the movie dives deeper into the complex relationship between Joker and Harley, promising an emotional rollercoaster.
Joker 2 features a cameo by Zazie Beetz, reprising her role as Sophia from the first movie. Fans of the original are eager to see how the narrative evolves and what new chaos Joker brings to the screen.
With a strong ₹5 crore opening in India, Joker: Folie à Deux has set the stage for a successful run. The combination of Joaquin Phoenix's intense portrayal and Lady Gaga's fresh take on Harley Quinn is sure to captivate audiences globally as the movie rolls out across the world.