Arthur Fleck, a party clown and a failed stand-up comedian, leads an impoverished life with his ailing mother. However, when society shuns him and brands him as a freak, he decides to embrace the life of chaos in Gotham City.
135th Street, West 125th Street, Harlem, Manhattan Community Board 10, Manhattan, New York County, City of New York, New York, 10027, United States of America
Hudson County Courthouse, 583, Newark Avenue, Hilltop, Bergen Square, Journal Square, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, 07306, United States of America
Loew's Jersey Theatre, 54, Magnolia Avenue, Hilltop, Bergen Square, Journal Square, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, 07306, United States of America
TD Bank, 155, Canal Street, Two Bridges, Manhattan Community Board 3, Manhattan, New York County, City of New York, New York, 10013, United States of America
Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus Athletic Field, East River Greenway, Two Bridges, Manhattan Community Board 3, Manhattan, New York County, City of New York, New York, 10002, United States of America
Loew's Jersey Theatre, 54, Magnolia Avenue, Hilltop, Bergen Square, Journal Square, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, 07306, United States of America
Seagram Building, 375, Park Avenue, Midtown East, Manhattan Community Board 5, Manhattan, New York County, City of New York, New York, 10037, United States of America
The dark origin story reimagines Gotham as a grimy, decaying early-1980s New York – and one flight of steps in the Bronx, where Arthur Fleck dances into his new self, became such a phenomenon that it turned into a real-life tourist attraction.
Where was Joker filmed?
Joker was filmed in New York City – the Bronx and Harlem – and in Newark, New Jersey.
Every Joker location, explained
1
The Joker Stairs – the Bronx
Arthur’s triumphant dance uses a steep public stairway in the Highbridge area of the Bronx – now a famous fan pilgrimage known as the Joker Stairs.
2
Gotham streets – New York
The decaying Gotham used real New York, from Harlem to the Bronx Zoo.
3
The riot – Newark
The climactic riot scenes used Newark, New Jersey, around Market Street.
4
Jersey City and beyond
Additional scenes used Jersey City and other New York-area locations.
Planning a visit
The Joker Stairs in the Bronx are a real, free public stairway – and now a popular (if controversial) selfie spot for fans, easily reached in New York.
Joker Fun Facts
1
The stairs became famous The Bronx stairway where Arthur dances turned into a viral tourist attraction, to some locals’ dismay.
2
Gotham is New York and Newark The film’s grimy Gotham used real New York and Newark, New Jersey.
3
Phoenix won an Oscar Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor for his transformation into Arthur Fleck.
4
An early-1980s look The film evokes the gritty New York of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
5
A billion-dollar villain film It became the first R-rated film to gross over a billion dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Joker Stairs?
In the Highbridge area of the Bronx, New York – a public stairway that’s now a fan attraction.
What city is Gotham in Joker?
A grimy version of New York, with the riot filmed in Newark, New Jersey.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – the Joker Stairs are a free, public stairway in the Bronx.
