What's The 'Why So Serious?' Meme And How Did It Become Associated With 'The Jonkler'? The Joker's Iconic Quote And Beatbox Meme Explained

Last month "The Jonkler" and the "If The Joker Could Beatbox" memes were combined to form a new type of brainrot content on TikTok focused on The Joker's iconic "Why so serious?" line.

Heath Ledger's depiction of Joker and the iconic quote from the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight received widespread acclaim, so perhaps unexpectedly, the catchphrase began seeing use in memes, fan art and other internet content in which fans would draw The Joker's face over themselves, celebrities and other individuals with "Why so serious?" overlaid on top of the image.

Why is this simplistic and intriguing phrase still relevant for meme culture going into the 2020s, and how did it become associated with 'The Jonkler''? Let's explain.

What's The 'Why So Serious?' Meme?

The "Why So Serious?" quote was uttered 16 years ago by Heath Ledger's Joker from the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight.

In the original scene referenced in memes online, the mob leader Gamble is confronted by The Joker in his hideout and held at knifepoint. The Joker then goes on to tell him the story of how he got his scars when he utters the line, "Why so serious?"

How Did The 'Why So Serious?' Meme Went Viral?

As the film's popularity grew, evolving to become a beloved movie by many, so did its use in memes, remixes and fan art. On April 19th, 2011, YouTuber Tim Timsen uploaded a remake of the "Why so serious?" scene video with a lip-dub version depicting Mark Hamill's Joker from the Batman Animated Series.

How Did The The Jonkler's 'Why So Serious?' Beatbox Meme Started?

The Jonkler is an intentional misspelling of The Joker born in the /r/BatmanArkham subreddit, which was then merged with the If The Joker Could Beatbox meme in late August 2024 to be featured in a brainrot version of a "Why so serious?" beatbox created by YouTuber 80Fitz in December 2017.

In late August 2024, 80Fitz's beatbox as the Joker was finally incorporated in the The Jonkler TikTok memes as they rapidly garnered virality online. For example, on August 15th, 2024, TikTok user @analnyfranek posted a video of the "Why so serious" beatbox that's since gone on to accumulate nearly 16 million views.

For the full history of Why So Serious?, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.