The latest Joker movie is Joker: Folie à Deux, the 2024 sequel directed by Todd Phillips. Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck, and Lady Gaga joins the cast as Lee Quinzel. It is the newest theatrical entry in the series and the film most people mean when they search for the latest Joker release. This guide covers what the film is, who appears in it, how it differs from the 2019 original, and the safe ways to watch it.
The short answer
If you only want one fact: the most recent Joker film is Joker: Folie à Deux, released in US theaters on October 4, 2024. There is no fourth Joker film and no confirmed third one. Anything advertising a "newer" Joker movie, a "part 6," or a numbered version of the title is not describing a real studio release.
What the film is
Joker: Folie à Deux picks up with Arthur Fleck after the events of the 2019 film. He is held at Arkham State Hospital awaiting trial for the murders that turned him into a public symbol. The story moves between the institution, the courtroom, and musical fantasy sequences that play out inside Arthur's head. Phillips described the project as a two-part story told across both films, which is why the sequel leans into song, dance, and a stage-like structure rather than the gritty street drama of the first movie.
Critical and audience reaction was sharply divided. Some viewers valued the swing into musical territory and the refusal to repeat the first film's tone. Others found the pacing slow and the ending unsatisfying. Both reactions are widely documented, so it is worth reading a few reviews before deciding whether to pay for a rental.
Cast and characters
- Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, the role that won him the Academy Award for Best Actor in the 2019 film.
- Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel, a fellow patient whose interest in Arthur shapes the plot.
- Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie Dumond.
- Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener appear in supporting roles tied to the Arkham and courtroom threads.
The film runs about two hours and twenty minutes and carries an R rating in the United States, matching the first film's adult tone.
How to watch it
Theatrical screenings
- Pros: The musical numbers and the Arkham sets were designed for a large screen and a full sound system.
- Cons: Wide theatrical runs end, so availability depends on second-run and discount theaters near you.
Best for anyone who wants the intended presentation and does not mind waiting for a local listing.
Digital rental or purchase
- Pros: Watch the same day you decide to, on a phone, laptop, or TV, with no disc drive needed.
- Cons: Rentals expire, and prices differ across storefronts.
Best for a one-time viewing. Compare the rental price against the purchase price before you commit, since the gap is often small.
Subscription streaming
- Pros: No extra charge if you already pay for the service that holds it.
- Cons: Licensing windows move, and the film can leave a service with little warning.
Best for patient viewers. Check the current listing on the service you already have rather than signing up for a new one on the strength of an old announcement.
Physical disc
- Pros: You keep it, the picture quality is stable, and extras are usually included.
- Cons: You need a player, and the disc costs more than a rental.
Best for collectors and for anyone who wants to rewatch without a subscription.
Why searches add words like "url" or version numbers
Queries that tack "url" or a version number onto a movie title usually come from people hunting for a free stream. Those results are a risk. Pages that promise a full film with no payment often carry malicious scripts, forced redirects, and forms that ask for card details before "unlocking" a player. A real studio release is not distributed that way, and no legitimate service asks for payment information to start a free movie. If a page asks you to verify a card to watch a film, close the tab.
What comes next
No third film has been announced. Phillips framed the two movies as a complete story, and the sequel's box office performance makes a continuation unlikely in the near term. If a new Joker project is confirmed, the studio announcement will be the first reliable signal, not a search result with a version number in the title.