Todd Phillips’ take on the iconic DC villain The Joker is getting some renewed attention thanks to the release of the trailer to the film’s trailer, which stars pop legend Lady Gaga.
Joaquin Phoenix gives a disturbing and haunting performance as Arthur Fleck in the first film, which charts his deep descent into madness. If you’re based in the UK, you may be wondering how you can watch the 2019 film, Joker.
We’ve got everything you need to know here. You can also check out our full round-up on Joker: Folie à Deux and find out when tickets for the sequel might go on sale.
How to watch Joker in the UK
At the time of writing, Joker isn’t available on any UK streaming service such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video or Now. You can buy or rent the VOD of course, but you won’t find it for free.
However, there is a workaround you can use if you’re a Netflix subscriber. The movie is on Netflix US, so you can use a VPN (virtual private network) to access the American version of Netflix from Britain.
VPNs reroute your IP address, connecting your server to another around the world. If you connect to a UK one, then the Netflix website should think you’re based in this country, and not the US.
We have previously used NordVPN to access different Netflix libraries from different countries. NordVPN offers a range of servers, as well as affordable pricing if you lock in for a multi-year plan. You can find further options in our list of the best VPNs for streaming.
We’ve broken down the steps in more detail below. Make sure you sign up for a VPN and watch the film before the end of this month, as it’s leaving the platform on 30 April.
- Time to complete: 5 minutes
- Tools required: Laptop or PC, VPN
Connect to a US server on your VPN
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
There are lots of different US servers to choose from, but NordVPN will connect you to the fastest
Head to the Netflix website
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Sign in to your Netflix account if you haven’t already
Search for Joker
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Netflix sometimes blocks VPNs, but you can get around this by connecting to a different server, or waiting a few hours before trying again
Keep in mind that this is technically against Netflix’s terms of service, so your account could be terminated – proceed at your own risk.
How to watch Joker in the US
As we’ve already established, Joker is on Netflix until 30 April for people in the US. Accounts for this service start from $6.99 per month.
However, American viewers can also catch Joker on HBO’s streaming service, Max. You can subscribe from $9.99 per month.
