Joker: Folie à Deux has experienced a significant downturn at the North American box office, plummeting from its previous week’s top position with an 80% drop in revenue, falling from $40 million to just $7.1 million.
This decline marks a record for comic-book films in terms of a second-weekend collapse, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, was overtaken by the indie horror film Terrifier 3, which claimed the top spot with an estimated $18.2 million.
Meanwhile, the animated film The Wild Robot secured second place, earning $13.4 million and pushing Joker: Folie à Deux down to third.
Other films also shuffled around the top ranks, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice dropping one position to fourth, bringing in $7 million. Despite the considerable star power of Phoenix and Gaga, Joker: Folie à Deux struggled to maintain its momentum.
The film’s reception has been divided, with some critics praising it as “bleak and daring” while others dismissed it as “depressingly dull and plodding.”
The mixed reviews may have contributed to its dramatic box office decline, as audiences appeared to lose interest quickly following the film’s debut.
Rounding out the top five was the comedy-drama Piece by Piece, which features Lego animation and an impressive voice cast including Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, and Busta Rhymes.
The film managed to maintain a solid presence amid the competition, offering a lighter, more family-friendly option compared to the darker themes of Joker: Folie à Deux. Its continued popularity reflects the appeal of its unique animation style and star-studded cast.
Meanwhile, The Apprentice, a biopic about Donald Trump, had a modest opening, debuting at the number-10 spot with $1.6 million. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May to mostly positive reviews, depicts Trump’s rise as a young property developer in New York during the 1970s and 80s.
However, it has sparked controversy, including a legal threat from Trump himself, who described it as “garbage” and “pure fiction,” particularly objecting to a scene depicting the alleged rape of his first wife, Ivana.
The film begins with a disclaimer stating that some events have been fictionalized, but that hasn’t quelled Trump’s criticisms.
The UK premiere of The Apprentice is set to take place as part of the London Film Festival on Tuesday. The film’s contentious portrayal of Trump has drawn attention for its potential impact on public perception, especially with its exploration of his early career.
As it continues to garner both praise and controversy, The Apprentice adds a politically charged element to the box office landscape, contrasting with the array of other offerings in theaters, from horror to animation to dark dramas like Joker: Folie à Deux.
