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The first Joker was a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records and sparking widespread discussion about its gritty, psychological portrayal of the iconic villain. Its success was unprecedented for an R-rated superhero film, and it seemed poised for a successful franchise. But Joker 2 faced an entirely different fate. Reports indicate that the film was a colossal flop, grossing just over $200 million globally against a production budget of approximately $200 million, not including marketing costs—which are estimated to be at least $100 million or more.