First R-rated movie ‘Joker’ to earn over $1 bn at global box office

NEW YORK: Movie ‘Joker’, the psychological thriller has become the first R-rated movie in history to earn over $1 billion at the global box office.

Joker, a dark origin story from Warner Bros about Batman’s arch-nemesis, had sold $999.1 billion despite not having been screened in China, which is projected to become the world’s largest movie market next year.

The movie is based on a mentally-ill loner who finds fame through a random act of violence, the movie earned warm reviews as it opened in early October but stoked controversy in the United States over fears it would encourage violence.

In the weeks leading up to its release, Joker elicited security concerns over its depiction of a mass murderer but mounting concerns did not impact ticket sales, and the movie maintained a huge draw in theaters among moviegoers across the globe.

Also read: Movie ‘Joker’ stays on top at box-office for second week

Among Warner Bros.’ movies, Joker is only the fourth to reach that milestone after “Aquaman” and fellow Batman films “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”

According to Forbes, Joker is also the most profitable comic book movie ever,  due largely to the film’s focus on character rather than special effects and action scenes.

Joker is now the 7th biggest Hollywood movie at the 2019 box office, behind action-packed blockbuster Avengers: Endgame at $2.8 billion and family movie The Lion King at $1.6 billion, both from Walt Disney.

Based on DC Comics characters, Joker is directed by Todd Phillips and stars Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role.