'Joker 2' Is Streaming Now. Here's Where to Watch

The story of Arthur Fleck continues in Joker: Folie à Deux, the polarizing sequel to the 2019 hit film Joker, which was based on characters from DC Comics. The first film earned over $1 billion at the box office and was the highest-grossing R-rated film ever until Deadpool & Wolverine dethroned it in 2024.

Joker 2 picks up with Fleck in Arkham Asylum, institutionalized for his crimes in the first movie and the anarchy that followed. Medicated and striving to heal, Fleck wrestles with his dual identity and keeps his Joker persona at bay. When Harley Quinn, a fellow inmate, crosses his path, Fleck discovers true love -- and the music that's been inside his soul this entire time.

The divisive Joker sequel hails from Todd Phillips, who returned to co-write, direct and produce the sequel. Joaquin Phoenix returns to the role of Fleck/Joker, for which he won the Best Actor Oscar in 2020. Starring opposite him as Harley Quinn is global pop superstar and Oscar-winner Lady Gaga, who also served as music consultant on the project. Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Zazie Beetz co-star.

Read on to find out more about where to stream Joker 2 and info about how using a VPN may help.

Read more: Max Streaming Service Review: Loads of Content, but You Have to Make It Fit You

Lady Gaga is Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix is Arther Fleck, aka the Joker, in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Warner Bros./Screenshot by CNET

Where you can watch Joker 2

Viewers can check out Joaquin Phoenix's singing voice in Joker: Folie à Deux, which is now streaming globally on Max. It's set to premiere on HBO on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. ET.

James Martin/CNET

If you're interested in watching Joker 2, now's a good time to subscribe to Max. Subscriptions cost $10 per month (with ads) or $17 per month (ad free). Want to watch in 4K? The Ultimate plan offers that feature and costs $21 per month. There's also the Hulu, Disney Plus and Max megabundle. The ad-based bundle comes with a $17 monthly price tag, while the ad-free version is $30 a month.

How to watch Joker 2 with a VPN

Perhaps you're traveling abroad and want to stream Joker 2 on Max while away from home. With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the movie from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming.

A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that's passed our tests and security standards.

You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you're using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list such as Surfshark or NordVPN. 

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ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN; the service is compatible with a variety of devices. It's typically $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get four months free and save 70%. 

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Follow the VPN provider's instructions for installation and choose a country where your title of choice will be streaming on Max. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you're connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream Furiosa on more than one device, it's possible you'll need to configure each one to ensure you're signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you're logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you're ready to open the service to stream. 

If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you've followed installation instructions correctly and you've picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.