Joaquin Phoenix starrer, mega-hit Joker has managed to garner $1 billion in global ticket sales as of Friday, making it the first R-rated movie to ever cross the mark.
As reported by Forbes, ‘‘$62.5 million-budgeted DC Films movie crossed the $1 billion mark in raw global grosses’ making it not only the first R-rated movie to do so, but also the biggest grossing movie ever that did not play in China, which is projected to become the world’s largest movie market by next year. Owing to it’s modest budget, the movie is also the most profitable comic book movie ever, according to Forbes.
Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker
Although the movie had generally positive reviews upon release, it was not expected to do as well as it has, specially in the US where even after release, the movie remained soaked in controversy; according to CNN, ahead of the movies release, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security in the US had warned law enforcement about threats to moviegoers due to fear of mass shootings. However, it managed to rake in $340 million at the US box office and $820 million at the overseas box office.
With this feat, as reported by Forbes, Joker is now also the fourth DC title to cross $1 billion; Aquaman took in $1.15 billion, The Dark Knight Rises $1.084 billion and The Dark Knight managed to rake in $1.005 billion.
The gritty and unsettling take at the origin story of the iconic DC character who presents himself as the arch nemesis of Batman, Joker was released on October 2, stars Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role, and is directed by Todd Phillips.
