Joker: Folie Deux has finally made its debut in China, however the results may not be exactly what fans and the filmmakers were expecting. Despite being one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year the film has landed behind a re-release of a classic movie at the Chinese box office.
According to reports the film took in a respectable $5.9 million over the weekend. However the re-release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets managed to rake in $4.6 million, narrowly beating Joker: Folie Deux in terms of overall weekend earnings.
It's worth noting that while Joker: Folie Deux did not take the number one spot in China the film's performance in other markets has been far more promising. Since its initial release the film has managed to garner widespread critical acclaim and has quickly become a commercial success.
The offbeat comic book sequel has been praised for its bold take on the classic DC characters and features a star-studded cast, including Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. However despite the film's success in other markets its performance in China may be a source of concern for fans and filmmakers alike.
China has long been a lucrative market for Hollywood films, with many movies relying on the country's box office to turn a profit. In recent years however there has been a growing trend of Chinese audiences opting for domestic productions over foreign imports.
Despite this the success of Joker: Folie Deux in China is still an important milestone for the film. As one of the final major markets for the film, China's box office performance will play a significant role in determining the film's overall commercial success.