Joker (2019)
Put on a happy face.
During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 1 October 2019 |
| Genre | Crime, Thriller, Drama |
| Director | Todd Phillips |
| Starring | Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz |
| Runtime | 122 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes 68% · Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.3/10 · Metacritic 59/100 · IMDb 8.3/10 · TMDB users 8.1/10 |
| Budget | $55 million |
| Box office | $1.07 billion worldwide |
Where to watch Joker
Joker is streaming on Max ($18.49 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Max is $18.49 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 30 September 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
Todd Phillips directs this 2019 crime thriller drama. It runs 122 minutes and follows a failed stand-up comedian in 1980s Gotham. He starts on the wrong foot and ends it in chaos. The film is for anyone who finds dark humor funny and violence tragic, all at once. It is not a light watch.
What the critics said
Critics split on whether the film is a masterpiece or a mess. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 68% as of January 2026. Metacritic lands on 59 out of 100, a score it files under mixed or average. The consensus is that Joaquin Phoenix carries the weight, though some found the rest of the house a bit drafty. Mark Kermode called the performance "mesmerisingly physical". Jim Vejvoda argued it works without the DC trappings. The audience grade was a B+, which is polite for a man who throws furniture.
How it did with audiences
It cost $55 million and took in $1.1 billion worldwide, a return that turned a modest bet into a major payday. North America contributed $335 million to that total. Audiences on IMDb gave it an 8.3/10 as of March 2026, while TMDB users rated it 8.1. Critics might debate the tone, but the ticket sales settled the argument.
What came next for the cast
Joaquin Phoenix arrived from Gladiator and Her, then moved to Napoleon, Beau Is Afraid, and the sequel. Robert De Niro, fresh off GoodFellas and The Godfather Part II, appeared in Killers of the Flower Moon, Amsterdam, and The War with Grandpa. Zazie Beetz came from Deadpool 2 and Geostorm, followed by Bullet Train, The Harder They Fall, and the Joker sequel. Frances Conroy, known for American Horror Story, next starred in The Power of the Dog. The credits do not prove Joker changed these trajectories. They just list what happened next.
Where it left its mark
The costume became a global uniform for dissent. Beppe Grillo appeared in the makeup during a 2019 political event. Yusuke Kawai wore it on NHK in 2021. Protesters in Beirut, Chile, and Hong Kong adopted the look or its slogans. Argentine president Alberto Fernández compared 2020 George Floyd protest photos to the film. Firefighters in France donned the makeup. The Bronx stairs where Fleck dances are now a tourist spot and meme factory. Oleksandr Usyk wore a similar suit at a press conference. Pete Hammond called it a frightening comment on dark times.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Joker.
Sources
- Joker on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q42759035 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Joker (2019 film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
Watch it without paying for the whole year
Binge Boss tracks the movie you are on and tells you which services you need this month, and which you can cancel.
Add Joker to your list