Clash of the clowns: How Terrifier 3 beat Joker 2 at box office, explained 

Art the Clown vs Joker from Terrfier 3 and Joker:Folie a Deux respectively | Image sources: Movie Trailers Source and Wanrer Bros. Pictures on Youtube
Art the Clown vs Joker from Terrifier 3 and Joker: Folie a Deux respectively (Images via Youtube/@Movie Trailers Source and Warner Bros.)

According to reports, Terrifier 3 has outdone Joker: Folie a Deux in global box-office performance, making $18.25 million on the first weekend after its release. On the other hand, Joker was stuck at $7 million on the second weekend - reportedly a setback for a comic character adaptation.

Terrifier 3 star David Thornton has reportedly equated this success to the fans. He mentioned in a statement to TMZ on October 16, 2024:

"It's the fans that made this happen, so we are very very grateful to the fans for supporting us...we have a very dedicated fanbase"

The psychological thriller Joker: Folie a Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in a musical drama has received a 33% rating from the critics and an audience score of 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, reports. The numbers are reportedly low after the first movie's success (Oscar winner). Projections indicate that the $200 million budget (excluding marketing and distribution costs) might not be made back.

On the contrary, per reports, Thornton's Terrifier 3 has emerged as the highest-grossing entry of the saga ($26.2 million globally) within a week. Moreover, the movie holds a rating of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes.


Why did Damien Leone's Terrifier 3 become more successful?

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A major reason why Art the Clown from Terrifier 3 won the battle is because the movie was well-received by the audience. With a good number on Rotten Tomatoes and a fresh critics score of 74%, the movie has become a cult among horror fans.

The threequel's audience score stands at 89%, and a B CinemaScore points towards a good fan reception, considering the movie's gore that has even made people walk out of theatres. Moreover, this has become a point of free publicity for the horror franchise.

Secondly, the timing of the release was well-aligned with the season of Halloween. A spooky spin-off like Terrifier 3 coming in October has served the element of horror the people were looking for.


Why could Joaquin Phoenix's Joker not meet the expectations?

Terrifier 3 outdoing Joker: Folie a Deux's box-office performance is more about the latter's second-weekend drop (almost by 81%), per reports. The negative reception among the fans can reportedly be attributed to the element of drama highlighted in the movie. At the same time, an intense character like the 'Joker' was expected to have a more convincing closure.

According to reports, the low Rotten Tomatoes and critics scores result from negative word-of-mouth from some of the fans. The unexpected consequence means a probable end to the Joker franchise of Todd Phillips. At the same time, Terrifier 3 became a hit and has already confirmed the production of the fourth movie.


David Thornton has further appreciated the Terrifier franchise's success (despite a lower budget) while the competition was against a $200 million comic character juggernaut. According to Thornton, Terrifier 3 was able to serve what the fans really wanted to see. He has further elaborated on the movie's success and reportedly said in a statement:

"This is a David vs. Goliath type of story"

Stay tuned to Soap Central for further updates.

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Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala