Apparently no amount of movie theater retching can stop ‘Terrifier 3’ from dominating an Oscar winner’s pathetic $200M sequel

The unexpected rivalry between Terrifier 3 and Joker: Folie à Deux is yet another wild twist in Hollywood’s ongoing trend of unlikely box office battles, and it has fans on the edge of their seats. Despite Joker 2’s massive $200 million budget and the star power of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, early reception has been brutal, with a current 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Terrifier 3, on the other hand, made on a mere $4 million, boasts a 74% score even before its wide release.

Part of Terrifier 3’s appeal is its unapologetic gore and boundary-pushing scenes — including reports of viewers fainting and vomiting, a marketing blessing for horror fans who love a dare. Its ban in France has only amplified interest, building a cult reputation reminiscent of the 2022 buzz around Terrifier 2. Art the Clown is quickly rising to the status of horror legends like Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger, drawing in audiences not just with frights but with visceral, raw horror that resonates in today’s genre landscape.

Meanwhile, Joker: Folie à Deux faces the challenge of superhero fatigue and repeated takes on the Joker character, which could be contributing to its lukewarm reception. With horror experiencing a renaissance, Terrifier 3‘s lean budget and intense reputation position it to give Joker 2 a serious run for its money, especially as audiences shift toward fresh, lower-budget films with bold storytelling over expensive sequels. In the battle of the clowns, Art seems primed to steal the show.