Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker 2 has been a runaway hit for Max after bombing at the box office

Just three months ago, Hollywood was heading into awards season with anticipation Todd Phillips “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Read our movie review) It will be a huge film and a serious Oscar contender like its predecessor, “Joker,” which was nominated for 11 Oscars. It had Joaquin Phoenix, one of Hollywood’s most formidable talents (and notorious foil, As Todd Haynes will probably tell you) returning to the role that earned him a Best Actor nod, and a great franchise addition in Lady Gaga, whose wild take on the Joker’s love interest Harley Quinn was expected to have her in contention for her second Best Actress nomination.

None of this happened.

After opening, weekend expectations were gradually reduced from $100 million to $45 million. “Joker: Folie à Deux” failed. In its first frame at the box office with a paltry $38 million (while “Joker” grossed $40 million on its first day of release in 2019). Reviews were terrible, while moviegoers rated it a killer D via a Cinemascore poll. After an 81% drop in its second weekend (the worst ever for a DC film), “Joker: Folie à Deux” disappeared from theaters nationwide, and the only joker that mattered in U.S. theaters for the rest of the fall was art . .

The film that was destined to be a huge success was so toxic that it seemed as if it would be relegated to the dustbin of cinema forever, never to be discussed again. Well, it’s the week before Christmas, and I have some semi-joyful news for Phillips and his wound-licking buddies.

According to the FlixPatrol website“Joker: Folie à Deux” is currently the most streamed movie on Max after debuting last week on the service. That means it beats out even the recently added “Beetlejuice” and Christmas favorites “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Does this mean that “Joker: Folie à Deux” could turn around its fortunes by becoming a recent hit series? And if so, is there still a third “Joker” movie on the horizon? God no. Even if the film is number one on the service for a month or two (which it won’t happen), there’s no way the blockaders will make it. David Zaslav mismanaged Warner Bros. He’d risk another $200 million on another go-round with Phoenix and Gaga (especially since the ending of the sequel complicates what might happen in the follow-up). For now, the World Bank should enjoy this very small victory and focus on it James Gunn’s new DC film series (Plus Matt Reeves’ sequel to “The Batman”). Because even though a lot of people are watching “Joker: Folie à Deux” at home, they’re probably just as disappointed by the contrived musical as we are in October.