This weekend, Warner Bros. finds little to celebrate as the eagerly awaited sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” fails to impress at the box office.

The film has received poor ratings from critics and viewers alike, debuting with only $40 million in domestic earnings according to studio estimates on Sunday, which is a significant drop from the $96.2 million earned by the first “Joker” film in 2019.

“Folie à Deux” has already proved to be divisive among viewers, which could hinder its chances of bouncing back in its following weeks.

According to CinemaScore, which gathers opinions from moviegoers, “Folie à Deux” received a grade of D, an extremely low rating for a blockbuster based on a comic book. In contrast, the original “Joker” earned a B+ grade, and even the poorly received Marvel film “Madame Web” managed a C+.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score for “Folie à Deux” is currently at 31%, a steep decline from the 89% for the first “Joker.”

While DC spent several years trying to establish a unified universe to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the original 2019 “Joker” set itself apart by existing in its own continuity and presenting a dark origin story for the iconic character. It was a major success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and becoming the top-grossing R-rated film ever until “Deadpool & Wolverine” took that title this year.

Continuing with Todd Phillips at the helm, the sequel features the Joker (played by Joaquin Phoenix) undergoing a trial for the murders depicted in the first film and experiencing a romantic connection with Lee Quinzel (portrayed by Lady Gaga). However, a controversial decision was made to turn the sequel into a musical, incorporating numerous covers of existing songs.

While the initial “Joker” garnered mixed reviews, the feedback for “Folie à Deux” has leaned much more toward the negative side. Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, many critics criticized the film, claiming Gaga was underutilized and that Phillips recycled too much content from the original. Audience members have also voiced their displeasure with the film’s musical elements and its contentious ending.

“Folie à Deux” now seems unlikely to impress at the Academy Awards as its predecessor did. The original “Joker” was nominated for 11 Oscars, the most for any film that year, with Phoenix winning for best actor and the movie also taking home the award for best original score.

Additionally, “Folie à Deux” adds to DC’s list of box office disappointments, following multiple financial failures including this year’s “The Flash.”

The lackluster box office performance led to the hiring of producers James Gunn and Peter Safran in 2022, who have unveiled plans to revitalize the DC Comics cinematic universe, starting with a reboot of “Superman,” set to hit theaters in 2025. Phillips has expressed that he is unlikely to direct any future DC films.