Joker Becomes First R-Rated Film to Reach $1 Billion Worldwide

Todd Phillips’ Joker has just racked up another major milestone. DC and WB’s Joker has now become the first R-rated movie in cinematic history to cross the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office (via Variety). It also achieved the feat off a $62.5 million production budget, no 3D release and no international release in China.

The $1 billion mark was crossed for the movie yesterday (Nov. 15). The Joaquin Phoenix-led comic book feature is now only the fourth movie to reach the $1 billion for Warner Bros. It follows The Dark Knight ($1.003 billion), The Dark Knight Rises ($1.081 billion), and Aquaman ($1.148 billion).

Ahead of the weekend, Joker currently sits at $316.9 million at the domestic box office. If the film manages to garner major award recognition, that could potentially give the film new life at the box office. Previously, Joker won Best Film at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.