Joker overtakes Deadpool to become top-grossing R-rated film of all-time
Story by Jack Foley
TODD Phillips Joker has become the highest grossing R-rated film of all time, not adjusted for inflation, with a global box office haul of $788.1 million. It is expected to pass the $800 million over the weekend.
The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the infamous DC villain, has surpassed the superhero film Deadpool, which became a surprise hit in 2016 for Fox with $783 million in worldwide ticket sales.
Deadpool 2‘s earnings were roughly $738 million before a PG-13 cut of the 2018 film brought the movie’s total grosses to $785 million.
To date, Joker has earned $258.6 in the US and $529.5 million internationally. It is expected to ultimately take in close to $900 million globally, with some even predicting it has an outside shot of approaching $1 billion.
The figures mark a major win for Warner Bros, who greenlit the supposedly one-off movie. It was perceived as a risk at the time, especially given how its own DC cinematic universe had been struggling.
The milestone provoked a cheeky Tweet of congratulation from Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, who photo-shopped a poster of Joker dancing on the steps with the caption ‘“You Mother F**ker”. He also wrote: “R-Rated box office congratulatory posts aren’t like the ones you’re used to…”