Everyman suffers box office slump as Joker sequel disappoints

Everyman Media Group shares plunged on Friday as the cinema group highlighted the box office failure of the new Joker movie after posting a disappointing sales performance. 

The London-based business noted its performance was weaker than expected during the fourth quarter, partly after the poor showing of psychological thriller Joker: Folie à Deux.

Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the much-anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker was largely panned by critics and a commercial disaster, with worldwide ticket sales barely exceeding its production costs.

In the UK, the film only grossed £10million during the first month after its release, while its predecessor earned an equivalent £58.3million throughout its entire run.

Following this, Everyman saw trading impacted by a congested calendar of five blockbuster releases in five weeks, resulting in titles competing against each other.

Among the high-profile films to hit screens in November and December were the musical fantasy adaptation Wicked, animated movie The Wild Robot, and the sequels Moana 2 and Gladiator II.

Everyman said its customers spent less on average during the period because of the larger proportion of family-friendly movies that came out.

However, the company’s turnover still expanded by 17.9 per cent to £107.2million in the 53 weeks ending 2 January.

Revenues were supported by average ticket prices rising by 2.8 per cent to £11.98 and membership numbers growing by a record 56,000.

Everyman attracted significant audiences for award-winning movies like Poor Things, The Holdovers, and Anthony Hopkins drama One Life, as well as the sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two, starring Austin Butler and Timothée Chalamet.

Due to heightened uncertainty related to the Autumn Budget, the firm said it was ‘more cautious’ regarding its outlook for this year and next.

However, Everyman expects to benefit from a slew of big releases, especially in the opening half of 2025.

Major titles coming out include the Michael Jackson biopic Michael, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Alex Scrimgeour, chief executive of Everyman, said the group had achieved ‘positive operational and strategic progress’ despite recent troubles like the Hollywood film and television strikes.

He added: ‘We are focused on continuing to control debt and reduce leverage, and, notwithstanding the wider trading environment, we will continue to deliver Everyman’s unique brand of hospitality to our growing customer base.’

Everyman intends to launch two more venues in London this year: one at Brentford Lock and another at the redeveloped Whiteley building in Bayswater.

It currently runs 47 sites with a total of 163 screens, having recently opened locations in Cambridge and Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.