Joker scores a narrow win to regain the top spot at the box office

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·

October 27, 2019

It was a tight race this weekend, but estimates have placed Joker back at the top of the box office in its fourth weekend.

After being beaten by Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in its third weekend, Joker scored a victory in its fourth outing. The estimated have it at $18.9 million to Maleficent's $18.53 million. This means the final official tallies that come out on Monday could reverse things.

All that aside, that brings Joker up to to $277.58 million in the U.S. The foreign box office took in $47 million this weekend to bring the foreign total up to $571 million for a new global total of $849.08 million. This means it has now beaten the global total of Wonder Woman which clocked in with $821.13 million globally.

We fully expect Terminator: Dark Fate to take the top spot next weekend, but there is no question Joker has had a good run. It will continue to take in ticket sales, but after four weeks is when you typically see a massive slowdown. Right now we would estimate between $925 million to $950 million for the final global total. Off of a budget estimated between $55 to $70 million, not too bad at all.

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81 comments

j.k.2023
October 27, 2019
Yup, Whoever's idea that was to co-finance this is definitely getting fired.A loss of $250 million for a co-financing of $30 million.
1. Fréaláf Hildeson
  October 27, 2019
  So it really is your thing, repeating the same idiotic whine in every Joker post. I would try to correct your stupidity once again but it is probably useless at this point.
  1. j.k.2023
    October 27, 2019
    First, You should be the last person to talk about stupidity.And, Do you think wb isn't thinking about that especially after the year they had with multiple flops?....
    1. Fréaláf Hildeson
      October 27, 2019
      That is how they, and most studios, finance the vast majority of their movies. Good for you that you found out just now, you can move on.
      1. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        Neither Aquaman, Nor Shazam were co-financed.I am bringing up Joker cause of how small budget it had.There was like zero risk of it not earning back it's investment.
      2. Fréaláf Hildeson
        October 27, 2019
        Both Aquaman and Joker were certainly co-financed. Isn't Joker being co-financed what you are whining about? You make no sense.
        Look you just wrote:
        " especially after the year they had with multiple flops?...."
        And those Warner flops were *co-financed* too. They share the risk with other companies, for risky projects as well as safer ones like Joker.
        You need to read more about the movie business, and stop repeating the same dumb complaint in every post.
      3. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        "Both Aquaman and Joker were certainly co-financed. Isn't Joker being co-financed what you are whining about? You make no sense."
        "Aquaman and Shazam."
        "Look you just wrote:
        " especially after the year they had with multiple flops?...."
        And those Warner flops were *co-financed* too. They share the risk with other companies, for risky projects as well as safer ones like Joker."
        Like i said, There was no risk sharing for DC's last two movies Aquaman and Shazam.Not to mention, Joker only cost $60 million.This decision clearly shows wb's lack of trust in DC.
        "You need to read more about the movie business, and stop repeating the same dumb complaint in every post."
        Well, I do know about it.Else, I wouldn't be talking about it.
      4. Fréaláf Hildeson
        October 27, 2019
        "Aquaman and Shazam."
        Editing your typos is the way you answer?
        "Well, I do know about it."
        You just found out that co-financing exists. You know nothing.
        "This decision clearly shows wb's lack of trust in DC"
        Oh, you're just another troll then. OK, proceed with spamming your nonsense in every Joker post if you think it gives your life meaning. And cry more when it gets to $1 billion.
      5. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        Lmao, Not trolling.All upcoming DC big budget movies are safe bets(Wonder Woman 1984, The Batman, The Suicide Squad, Aquaman 2).Due to low budget, Birds of prey is also a safe bet.Where is the risk?.....Prove me wrong.While Marvel is making movie about f ucking Shang-Chi.That is called having trust in your property.
        And, I don't care how much money a big corporation like WB makes.I could careless about WB losing 50% of their profit.I only bring it up to show the lack of trust WB has in DC where they get two co-financiers for a DC movie that only costs them $60 million.That shows the lack of trust.
        And, If you think that WB doesn't care about losing $250 million in profit in this year with multiple flops then you are not that bright.If you are paying attention then WB is very reactionary.
      6. DudeofSteel1Million
        October 27, 2019
        You are the epitome of a broken record or a parrot that just won't shut up. You say the same things every time. No variety, no new viewpoints. Just rinse, lather, repeat.
        Every article that relates to Joker's success, all you say is "Bet WB wishes they didn't co-finance... Bet WB wishes they didn't co-finance."
        lol. It's pathetic.
      7. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        Well, You can always avoid my comments about this topic.Nobody is forcing you to read them, Lol.
2. PVR!S
  October 27, 2019
  i wouldnt took the risk to throw $50M like that.
  No one predicted Joker to be a massive hit, Not ever Warner bros.
  1. j.k.2023
    October 27, 2019
    There was literally no risk of Joker flopping.Joker at worst would have easily earn back it's investment.This was a stupid business decision.
    1. PVR!S
      October 27, 2019
      just te be clear $50M was for production only.
      the marketing budget was another $60M paid by WB.
      So do movie had to gross $250M just to break even.
      1. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        Joker was distributed byWB so marketing costs come under WB.That's why WB get 50% profit.While Bron Creative and Village Roadshow Pictures only co-Produced it and Joker production cost was $60 million.That means, They only paid $30 million.
3. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
  October 27, 2019
  Nah, that's just part of business. This is not the only film to have co-financiers.
  The co-financiers would want to work with DC in the future since it's so profitable.
4. Bruce Vader
  October 27, 2019
  You know what, we got it the first, the second, the third, the forth, the fifth, the sixth and the seventh time you said it. We see you, give it a rest.
5. Mr Smith1466
  October 28, 2019
  Studios will happily split a portion of the profit if it means they can get shelter from inevitable flops. It's like playing Russian roulette. You make sure there's only one bullet in the chamber. You don't kick yourself if you win and go "I should have loaded 5 other bullets!"
  The vast majority of TV shows are co-financed as well for the same reasons. Studios will always be happy to spread the wealth on the rare successes if it means they get less exposure on the losses.
  Look at Joker for example. Warner Brothers won't go "damn we want more profit!" They'll instead go to the co-finance partners and say "wow we all got a win here. How about we all join up again on Detective Pikachu 2 or Godzilla 3 or whatever we have in development". And again, they get less exposure when something like Goldfinch bombs.
  1. j.k.2023
    October 28, 2019
    That's the thing.Even in the worst case scenario, Joker was guaranteed to earn back it's budget.It wasn't a risk so there was no need to do risk sharing.Then, Neither Aquaman, Nor Shazam which had bigger budgets were co-financed.Joker only had a production budget of $60 million.So, They are on their way to lose about $250 million in profit for a co-financing of $30 million.If we believe deadline figures then wb later spend $120 million on marketing the Joker.Which shows even more that co-financing Joker for $30 million was a dumb business decision.
    Detective Pikachu 2 or Godzilla 3 had bigger budgets and Goldfinch was a big risk.These movies can't be compared with Joker.
    1. Mr Smith1466
      October 28, 2019
      My point is, Warner Brothers won't care about losing profits. It's ALL profit. And Aquaman and Shazam were absolutely co-financed. The vast majority of their studio is co-financed by the Australian Roadshow entertainment among countless others. Before it collapsed, Ratpac entertainment had significant investments in Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and Justice League. Co-financed movies are how Warner Brothers work. They're clearly happy to work like this. It's part of the business. You share the success and minimize the flops.
      And you say "Oh they should have trusted Joker!" They absolutely should NOT have. You're speaking from hindsight. You think Joker was a goer on paper? You think it was safe? It easily could have collapsed at any stage in production. Joaquin Phoenix probably made the movie worthwhile and financing was probably in place long before he was cast. Todd Philips openly rewrote the film while it was being shot. You think they make a movie, analyse it internally and then go "We should buy out our co-finance partners and pocket all the profit this will make"
      At best, Joker was a low risk investment. You can't account for a movie clicking with audiences or some piece of marketing catching on. If you could, then every movie would shatter records.
      You keep saying "Warner Brothers should have trusted DC". For a billion dollar corporation that's utterly insane. Warner Brothers is happy to take in whatever profit they get.
      You also keep saying, "Warner Brothers could have covered their other 2019 flops". Guess what! Co-financing does cover those flops. You think a company like Warner Brothers is going to be bleeding red ink over Godzilla not making enough money? You split that loss among Legendary and other companies and suddenly the bottom line looks fine.
      If anything Warner Brothers are probably delighted a financial partner makes money off something low budget like Joker, because now they'll be willing to shell out for something far more expensive and far more risky and the cycle will begin again.
j.k.2023
October 27, 2019
If Joker hits a billion then it will become the most profitable comic book movie in history.
https://media.giphy.com/med...
1. Daniil
  October 27, 2019
  You mean comic book movie.
2. lowdevil
  October 27, 2019
  It will finish under 950 but im sure WB is licking their chops at digital release with extra footage. Now we wait for a Lex Luthor R-rated film starring Bryan Cranston.
  1. j.k.2023
    October 27, 2019
    It will be at $920 million at the end of next weekend.$970-$980 million is confirmed.
    1. lowdevil
      October 27, 2019
      It would really be insane if it passes 1 billion.
      1. j.k.2023
        October 27, 2019
        Imagine it ending up with the same numbers as dark knight.
  2. SBHM
    October 28, 2019
    I begged and pleaded for Cranston as Luthor, but it just wasn't meant to be for BvS. He would have been perfect. Still would be if they ever decide to explore Luthor again.
3. Nahuel Benvenuto
  October 27, 2019
  What if they re release the movie with unfinished deleted scenes...
  1. j.k.2023
    October 27, 2019
    Todd said no to releasing the deleted scenes.
    https://www.indiewire.com/2019/10/todd-phillips-joker-deleted-scenes-not-shown-1202183028/
Fréaláf Hildeson
October 27, 2019
Crazy that it could actually reach $1 billion! Those crazy profit estimates will have to be increased, it is beating Infinity War easily now.
PVR!S
October 27, 2019
The Clownery at its best.
Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
October 27, 2019
I saw Terminator. It was ok but no character development. The story just sets up one action scene to another. It's definitely an action movie with no deep story.
I also saw JoJo Rabbit. It was good, funny at points but I don't see the 'Oscar buzz' for it. I wouldn't say it's the best movie this year.
1. lowdevil
  October 27, 2019
  But "Terminator Dark Fate is the best film since T2 and is the new Force Awakens"
  So say EVERY single media blogger site on the internet. Oh and nobody talking about it.
  1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
    October 27, 2019
    I've decided to ignore critic reviews. They're all bought or they have some sort of agenda.
  2. Hunter Zolomon
    October 28, 2019
    Dark Fate is the best Terminator film since T2 though.
    1. j.k.2023
      October 28, 2019
      That's not saying much.
      1. Hunter Zolomon
        October 28, 2019
        T3 is actually really good and so is Dark Fate.
      2. j.k.2023
        October 28, 2019
        Might be.But, I am just burned out of the same old s hit of X terminator going back in time to kill Y person plot.
        Not to mention, Things aren't looking good for it at box office.It only made $12.8 million at box office and failed to overtake Joker in UK.
        "This current session saw Dark Fate take No. 1s in Thailand and Singapore, and No. 2s in the UK, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland. "
2. Hunter Zolomon
  October 28, 2019
  The characters have as much development as they do in T1, Dani is pretty much Sarah from T1 and Grace is Kyle Reece. Sarah and "Carl" have plenty of character work though.
  1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
    October 28, 2019
    I'd rather watch T1. Dark fate is another recycled terminator movie.
    1. Hunter Zolomon
      October 28, 2019
      Thing is it isn't. Salvation was a big departure yet sucked and failed, Genisys actually had a load of new ideas and again sucked and failed. The standard chase formula is what makes a great Terminator film, fuck T2 is pretty much a bigger T1 film just with the twist that Arnie is the good guy now. Dark Fate is no T1 or T2 sure no where near but its a bloody good time, i liked the new characters and Arnie gives his best Terminator performance since T2, is it a classic? No but it does exactly what it set out to do and that is provide entertainment and gives us the return of the series lead in Sarah Conor who was fucking awesome in the film.
      1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
        October 28, 2019
        It's a dead franchise. I wish they realize this. I'll be shocked if Dark Fate makes more than Genisys although I like Dark Fate more.
      2. Hunter Zolomon
        October 28, 2019
        While i loved Dark Fate i do agree as a franchise no one really cares anymore, T2 is its peak and that's where audiences are happy to sign off.
      3. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
        October 28, 2019
        Actually, can you answer a plot hole? A T800 killed Conner. That meant Skynet won. So why did the future change to whatever Dark Fate was?
      4. Hunter Zolomon
        October 28, 2019
        They explained it in the film, in T2 they prevented Judgement Day however Skynet had already sent back multiple Terminators back to various points to make sure it wouldn't fail so the T-800 what killed John was following a mission from a future what never happened, basically it was too bloody late and unlucky for John. The Dark Fate future happened because us humans went ahead created something what was pretty much Skynet 2.0 so really no matter what we were always going to doom are selves what of course happened kind off in T3. "Carl" as he explained lost all purpose after killing John because his future never happened and he had no mission, he's the same type of Terminator as the T2 one so he can learn to understand and act more human and so he made that his mission what led to what we had in the film. I actually really like the idea of what does a Terminator do once it fulfils its mission? If the T-800 killed Sarah or the T-1000 killed John what does it do next? It can't go back so does it live a life? Go into hibernation? I think its a fun and interesting idea what i'm glad the film explored, i felt it was natural after time it could learn to be human considering what happened in T2 and have some form of emotion and feeling of caring, "Carl" clearly had some form of guilt over John.
        Yeah there is the question how could that T-800 exist if the timeline changed but then T2 pretty much created that plothole where if they prevented Judgement Day then John should cease to exist because Kyle wouldn't get sent back but then if John never came to be then Judgement couldn't have been stopped and so on. Its basically the Grandfather Paradox what Cameron kinda wisely ignored in favour for good drama and character work, yeah it makes no real sense but that's not Dark Fate's fault as that plot hole has been around since the T2 days. The only time in this series where the time travel makes sense is T1 as it follows the Bootrap Paradox what is my favourite type of Paradox, if you don't know what is think of it as an endless loop with no origin point.
      5. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
        October 28, 2019
        Going back in time is impossible anyway, for anything made of atoms but going to the future is completely possible.
        Carl felt too much like a plot device to me. It wasn’t believable.
      6. Hunter Zolomon
        October 28, 2019
        Of course going back in time is impossible.
      7. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
        October 29, 2019
        You create a paradox as soon as you go back in time. I think it's possible if you go back in time but in another timeline/universe.
j.k.2023
October 27, 2019
Joel Kinnaman comment about Leto's Joker...
"No. Who?" he responded when asked if he feels like he's "cheating" on Leto. Joaquin [Phoenix] just crushed. I mean, wow. He's incredible. He's such an actor. It's surprising to see something have that kind of performance that has a DC wraparound because it's a real art film."
Fréaláf Hildeson
October 27, 2019
And 'Joker' is now also the biggest October movie ever, beating Warner's own (co-financed) 'Gravity'.
BatmanUglyCowl
October 27, 2019
The troll from the media be like:
https://media2.giphy.com/me...
OptimistPrime99
October 27, 2019
I predicted a billion dollars, BEFORE I found out how low the body count was going to be. With no hero, surely the Joker movie would show the villain having a field day, which would lead to your standard fun slasher flick, and lots of repeat viewings. Nope.😂
1. Bruce Vader
  October 27, 2019
  Feels nice when your prediction comes true. "No one's laughing now".
drisraelluna
October 27, 2019
So... right now Joker has reduced the domestic BO gap with Homecoming ($334M) and Ragnarok ($315M) to almost $0, and it's closing down on It ($327M) after a $27M starting deficit. Legs overseas have been insane, and are keeping the int cume at 67.5%. So, joker needs around $49M more ($326M domestic total) to make 1B. And if it makes $328, it may pass... wait for it... TDK!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
1. j.k.2023
  October 27, 2019
  It have the possibility to make a billion...Just saw this comment..
  "End of Weekend 1: 248 million
  End of Weekend 2: 544 million
  End of Weekend 3: 737 million
  End of weekend 4: 849 million
  Algorithmically speaking:
  Prospective end of weekend 5: 910 million
  Prospective end of weekend 6: 960 million
  By the end of weekend 10: 1.004 billion.."
  Even if it doesn't make a billion, $970-$980 million is locked.All WB have to do is re-release the movie during Oscars.
  1. PVR!S
    October 27, 2019
    Stop stealing comments from Reddit.
    1. j.k.2023
      October 27, 2019
      Did you not see "Just saw this comment"?
j.k.2023
October 27, 2019
Looks like Dark fate will flop...
"The $185 million actioner, which is being distributed in North America by Paramount but everywhere else (save for China) by Fox/Disney, earned $12.8 million this weekend. It ranked number one in Thailand and Singapore while opening number two in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland."
1. j.k.2023
  October 27, 2019
  Even if it was good, People are just tired of using the same s hity plot over and over again.X terminator goes back in time to kill y human.
2. Hunter Zolomon
  October 28, 2019
  The movie is actually pretty good.
IamTheOneWhoKnocks
October 27, 2019
All this without that dirty China money, Cherry on top. Do wish they could see it though to continue their revolutionary inspiration. Anyways, 1billion is within reach, but either way it will become the most profitable comic book movie in history.
lowdevil
October 27, 2019
If Joker was released in China we would then be talking about an R rated comic book movie with a 60 mil budget making over 1 billion. How about that.
Hope Phoenix wins best actor.
Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
October 27, 2019
Is RottenTomato site down? I can't get to it.
Nevermind. It's my stupid browser.
j.k.2023
October 27, 2019
A Lex Luthor movie is the natural choice to follow up Joker.I have my doubts about Joker sequel happening.
1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf
  October 28, 2019
  Who really knows. The dark label is director driven. It's up to the director to pitch WB the next movie.
2. mr nobody
  October 28, 2019
  How would a Lex movie go?
  1. Reese Evans
    October 28, 2019
    I'd be looking for a Michael Mann type crime thriller: a gritty, complex, cerebral look into corporate crime, with Lex playing puppet master. Would be right up the alley of Nolan fans.
    1. mr nobody
      October 28, 2019
      I'm not familiar with Mann but I like that. i just can't picture it myself cause political movies are not my thing but I like hearing people's ideas
      1. Reese Evans
        October 29, 2019
        Michael Mann's most famous films are probably Heat (De Niro and Pacino) and Collateral (Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx). Both very gritty, street level crime dramas. But I'd mix that up with the very clean, corporate world of fake smiles and malevolent intent. I don't think it would need to be political as such.
      2. mr nobody
        October 29, 2019
        I like that a lot more. I just can't picture what Lex's deal would be. Like what is he aiming for in such film? Just a business monopoly and he does dirty shit behind curtains?
      3. Reese Evans
        October 30, 2019
        If you went with the same sort of coming of age story as we have seen with Joker, it might show a younger, mercurial Luthor become the man he is from a position of relative poverty in Metropolis. Maybe his father rejected him and his mother, and his aim is to ultimately have him killed or framed and then inherit his empire somehow? There'd be some sort of complex, unstoppable Chess-like scheme being played out.
        Or a fully formed Lex interacting with various business magnates (including Maxwell Lord and maybe even Bruce Wayne), conducting a sort of proxy war with them played out with drugs, gangs, thugs, hitmen etc, while Superman looms over the story like the shark in Jaws. I'm not sure what his end game would be in this particular scenario, but it would be like Breaking Bad at its most devious.
      4. mr nobody
        October 30, 2019
        Damn, bro. That sounds awesome. I like the second one even better
3. Casanova
  October 28, 2019
  oh jesus, please, no.... and that's not a natural choice, nobody cares about a bold man
  1. SBHM
    October 28, 2019
    Maybe not a BOLD man, but what about a BALD one?
    1. Casanova
      October 28, 2019
      oh ma che intelligentone, sbaglio una vocale e me lo fa notare, dimmi un po, tu che seconda lingua sai parlare?
      1. SBHM
        October 28, 2019
        Lmao. Don't take life so seriously. Oh, and I speak Brasilian Portuguese. Thanks for asking.
      2. Casanova
        October 28, 2019
        hasta la vista cabron
      3. SBHM
        October 28, 2019
        また後でろくでなし
SBHM
October 28, 2019
This is insane. Even I (I freaking LOVE the Joker) couldn't have imagined this film making over 900mil let alone over 700mil. It's just not the type of movie that's supposed to bring in money like this. Incredibly happy to see the general audience welcoming this type of comic film.
Sense
October 28, 2019
Too bad it isn't opening in china cause they think it'll encourage protests or something LOL if it did it might have a chance of beating Aladdin & Toy Story 4 on the 2019 worldwide list
이찬영
October 29, 2019
It was quite impressing for me that Joker barely laughed truly while his makeup was always laughing. I'm sure that this film is successful film.

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com