Batman: The Killing Joke Hits Big at The Box Office with $3M

MovieWeb

By Brian Gallagher

Published Jul 27, 2016

After a special two-night only theatrical event, the R-rated animated adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke takes in over $3 million.

Warner Bros. held a world premiere screening of their latest DC Universe Original Movie Batman: The Killing Joke at Comic-Con last weekend, but even if you weren't in San Diego, fans could still see this long-awaited adaptation on the big screen. Through a partnership with Fathom Events, this movie came to theaters for a special screening on Monday, July 25. Today we have word that the movie fared quite well, earning a cool $3.1 million.

Box Office Mojo reports that The Killing Joke's $3.1 million was third best at the daily box office, behind last weekend's winner Star Trek Beyond ($6.2 million) and The Secret Life of Pets ($4.1 million). However, The Killing Joke did have a better per-screen average than every other movie on Monday, earning $2,396 per screen from 1,325 theaters. Due to overwhelming demand, this movie became Fathom Events' widest release in the company's history, and they even added a second date on July 26 to accommodate fans wanting to see it on the big screen. We'll have to wait and see how it performed in the second day of its theatrical rollout.

Based on the acclaimed DC graphic novel of the same name, Batman: The Killing Joke takes an R-rated journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime - from his humble beginnings as a struggling comedian to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. Years later, and now escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker devises a plan to prove that one bad day can make anyone as insane as he is - setting his sights on Commissioner Gordon. It's up to the Dark Knight to put a stop to The Joker's latest scheme and save one of Gotham City's finest. Following a gripping prologue introducing Barbara Gordon's heroic adventures alongside Batman as Batgirl, Batman: The Killing Joke stays true to the authentic tale that has held fans' imaginations for nearly three decades - spotlighting the birth of a Super-Villain, the fortitude of a Super Hero and the punchline that will leave you speechless.

The voice cast includes Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League) as Batman, Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series, Star Wars franchise) as The Joker, Tara Strong (Teen Titans; Batman: Arkham games) as Barbara Gordon and Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, RoboCop) as Commissioner Gordon. Warner Bros.' Batman: The Killing Joke is directed by Sam Liu (Justice League vs. Teen Titans) from a script by Eisner Award-winning writer Brian Azzarello. Bruce Timm and Sam Register are executive producers. Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan are executive producers. Alan Burnett is co-producer.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Batman: The Killing Joke arrives August 2, 2016 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD. The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet. The Blu-ray Deluxe Edition will include all components of the Blu-Ray Combo Pack, along with an exclusive figurine of The Joker in a numbered, limited edition gift set. Fans can own Batman: The Killing Joke on Digital HD starting July 26, 2016 via purchase from digital retailers.