Joaquin Phoenix plays the Joker in the 2019 movie Joker, directed by Todd Phillips. He plays Arthur Fleck, a struggling stand-up comic in a crumbling Gotham City who turns into the Clown Prince of Crime. If your goal is to own the film, the safe buy is the official Warner Bros. release in the format your player handles: a 4K Ultra HD plus Blu-ray combo pack, a plain Blu-ray, or a digital purchase tied to your own account. Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this performance, so every legitimate edition carries the role you are asking about. Skip third-party listings that show a homemade cover or a burned disc, because those are not the studio release.
What to look for before you buy
Confirm the correct film
Three different actors have played the Joker in recent memory, and listings blur together. Match the year and the lead name before you check out. The 2019 Joker is the Todd Phillips film with Phoenix. The Dark Knight is the 2008 Christopher Nolan film with Heath Ledger. Suicide Squad is the 2016 film with Jared Leto. If a listing shows a Batman logo and a 2008 date, it is not the movie you want.
What Is Joker's Real Name? Comics, Films, and Games Explained
Pick the format for your setup
- 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: best choice if you own a 4K player and a TV that handles HDR. Combo packs include a standard Blu-ray for a second room.
- Blu-ray: the practical pick for a 1080p setup. Cheaper and widely stocked.
- DVD: fine for older players and car units, with softer picture detail.
- Digital: instant, but it lives inside one storefront account and can move with licensing terms, so confirm which service it redeems on.
Check the edition contents
Studio releases differ in bonus material. Standard editions carry behind-the-scenes featurettes and a director commentary. Retailer exclusives may add a bonus disc or a different slipcover. Read the back cover copy instead of trusting the product photo, since stock images are reused across editions.
Parameter bands worth knowing
- Runtime: about 122 minutes. Anything far off that number is a different cut or a mislabeled listing.
- Rating: R in the US for violence, disturbing behavior, and language. Not a family title.
- Release year: 2019 theatrical, with home video arriving in early 2020. A 2020 date on the box is normal.
- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 widescreen. A 4:3 or fullscreen label means a bootleg or a very old transfer.
- Audio: read the label on the case. Premium mixes appear on the 4K disc, and a stereo-only label on a 4K case is a red flag.
Common pitfalls
- Region locks: imported Blu-rays may be locked to Region B and will not play on a US player. Check the region letter on the back.
- Expired digital codes: code slips inside sealed cases carry expiration dates. If you buy secondhand, assume the code is already used.
- Sequel mix-ups: Joker: Folie a Deux is the 2024 follow-up with Phoenix and Lady Gaga. It is a separate purchase, not a special edition of the 2019 film.
- Counterfeit discs: burned recordables, photocopied artwork, and cases with no studio logo are the usual tells.
- Bundles that pad the price: multi-film comic book sets are fine, but check that the 2019 title inside is the studio disc and not a leftover from another franchise.
FAQ
Who plays the Joker in the 2019 movie?
Joaquin Phoenix. He plays Arthur Fleck, and the performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Is Phoenix in the sequel?
Yes. He returned for Joker: Folie a Deux, released in 2024, with Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
Does the 2019 film connect to other Batman movies?
No. It stands alone as an origin story with its own version of Gotham and its own continuity.
Which version should a first-time buyer get?
Start with the standard Blu-ray if your setup is 1080p. Choose the 4K combo pack only if you already have a 4K player and an HDR display, because the disc will not unlock that detail on older hardware.
Is the DVD still worth buying?
Only for a player that cannot read Blu-ray. Otherwise the Blu-ray costs little more and looks better on modern screens.