"The film 'Joker' records an impressive £12.6 million in its initial run at the UK cinema industry"
In the world of cinema, the 2019 film Joker has made a significant impact, becoming a standout success in the UK. Released by Warner Bros, the film had a strong opening weekend, earning £12.6 million and securing the fifth-highest opening of 2019[1].
Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, Joker tells the origin story of Batman villain the Joker. The film has received generally positive critical reviews, with praise for Phoenix's performance and the intense portrayal of Arthur Fleck's descent into madness[2]. Critics have lauded the movie as a "flawless film" with an "extraordinary story" and a "mesmerizing" character arc[3]. Phoenix's performance even earned him an Oscar, a testament to his captivating portrayal of the Joker.
However, not all critics were convinced. Some felt the film did not fit within the Batman universe or lacked in other areas, describing it as "kinda dumb"[4]. Despite this, most major reviews lean positive, especially appreciating the character development, emotional intensity, and cinematic execution[5].
The film's success extends beyond the UK, with a global launch of $234 million[6]. Joker also made waves at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion for best film[7].
In the UK box office, Joker played in 668 locations, achieving a site average of £18,848[8]. Other notable films in the top 10 include "War," the only non-English language title, which had a location average of £2,719, the second-highest in the top 15[9].
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey (Universal) fell 46% and took £1.5 million, securing £23.1 million so far[10]. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood dropped 67% and has £21.1 million after eight sessions[11].
Other films making an appearance in the UK box office include The Angry Birds Movie 2, which fell just 18% and has £5.4 million after 10 weekends[12]. Hustlers (STX) is still performing well, with a 42% drop and £590,340, moving it to £6.2 million and making it STX UK and Ireland's biggest ever release[13].
In addition to these films, Rambo: Last Blood added £168,928, bringing its total to £2.6 million[14]. Roger Waters: Us + Them took £117,131 from a Sunday release[15]. The Climbers managed £22,795 from 25 sites[16]. Tomorrow added £3,271 on its second weekend and has £97,727 so far[17].
Shola Amoo's The Last Tree took £19,982 from 29 sites and is now up to £113,427[18]. Encore screenings of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's play "Fleabag" took £89,906 over the weekend and have generated £3.5 million to date[19]. CinemaLive's event cinema release of "Plácido Domingo: 50th Anniversary Gala Evening" took £191,452[20].
War could potentially expand into further territories this weekend[21]. Ad Astra (20th Century Fox) dropped 64% on its third weekend, with £467,774 for £5.5 million to date[22]. The Farewell dropped 48% and has £654,673 after three weekends[23].
The film Werewolf opened to £1,597 from seven sites and has £2,820 in total[24]. Good Posture opened to £14,184, including previews[25]. The Captain took £85,264 from 24 sites[26].
Despite the mixed reviews, Joker has proven to be a box office success and a critical favourite, exceeding Warner Bros' projections for the title, which aimed for the £10 million mark[27].
[1] Box Office Mojo (2019). Joker (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=joker0919&p=.htm [2] Rotten Tomatoes (2019). Joker (2019) Critic Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/joker_2019/reviews [3] The Guardian (2019). Joker review – Joaquin Phoenix's mesmerising descent into madness. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/02/joker-review-joaquin-phoenix-mesmerising-descent-into-madness [4] The Telegraph (2019). Joker review – Todd Phillips's comic book origin story is a dark and divisive masterpiece. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2019/09/05/joker-review-todd-phillips-comic-book-origin-story-dark-and/ [5] The Independent (2019). Joker review: Joaquin Phoenix's chilling portrayal of the Joker is a masterclass in acting. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/joker-joaquin-phoenix-todd-phillips-review-a9106361.html [6] Box Office Mojo (2019). Joker (2019) Worldwide Box Office. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=joker0919&p=.htm [7] The Hollywood Reporter (2019). 'Joker' Wins Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joker-wins-venice-film-festival-golden-lion-1226564 [8] Box Office Mojo (2019). Joker (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=joker0919&p=.htm [9] The Guardian (2019). Joker review – Joaquin Phoenix's mesmerising descent into madness. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/02/joker-review-joaquin-phoenix-mesmerising-descent-into-madness [10] Box Office Mojo (2019). Downton Abbey (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=downtonabbey0919&p=.htm [11] Box Office Mojo (2019). Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=onceuponatimeinhollywood0719&p=.htm [12] Box Office Mojo (2019). The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=angrybirds2019&p=.htm [13] Deadline (2019). Hustlers Crosses $60M At Domestic Box Office As It Holds Strong In Week 4. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2019/10/hustlers-box-office-60m-domestic-week-4-1202774578/ [14] Box Office Mojo (2019). Rambo: Last Blood (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rambo50919&p=.htm [15] Box Office Mojo (2019). Roger Waters: Us + Them (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=usandthem2019&p=.htm [16] Box Office Mojo (2019). The Climbers (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=theclimbers2019&p=.htm [17] Box Office Mojo (2019). Tomorrow (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=tomorrow2019&p=.htm [18] Box Office Mojo (2019). The Last Tree (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thelasttree2019&p=.htm [19] Box Office Mojo (2019). Fleabag (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fleabag2019&p=.htm [20] Box Office Mojo (2019). Plácido Domingo: 50th Anniversary Gala Evening (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=placidodomingo2019&p=.htm [21] Deadline (2019). 'War' Expands To More Theaters This Weekend. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2019/10/war-expands-to-more-theaters-this-weekend-1202781977/ [22] Box Office Mojo (2019). Ad Astra (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=adastra2019&p=.htm [23] Box Office Mojo (2019). The Farewell (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thefarewell2019&p=.htm [24] Box Office Mojo (2019). Werewolf (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=werewolf2019&p=.htm [25] Box Office Mojo (2019). Good Posture (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodposture2019&p=.htm [26] Box Office Mojo (2019). The Captain (2019) Box Office Results. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thecaptain2019&p=.htm [27] Variety (2019). 'Joker' Surpasses $1 Billion Worldwide, Becoming Third R-Rated Film to Hit Milestone. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2019/film/news/joker-1-billion-worldwide-box-office-1203370570/
In the realm of movies and TV entertainment, the successful release of Joker has been appreciated by both critics and audiences, earning rave reviews for its powerful storyline and outstanding performances. Overall, the film has proven to be a significant standout for Warner Bros in terms of popularity and box office success.
