Lots of folks were worried about Joker. Some theaters hired extra security. Others banned patrons from wearing costumes. And some wondered whether the movie, given its graphic depictions of violence in the context of social rage, should’ve been made at all.
No matter: Warner Bros.’ gritty origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime laughed all the way to the bank, earning an estimated $93.5 million in North America. That’s an October record, by the way: No film released during the calendar’s 10th month has earned as much. Joker also recorded the fourth most lucrative debut for an R-rated movie in history. Add in the film’s overseas receipts, and Joker earned a grin-worthy $234 million. Yep, Joker’s bottom line is just about as green as the guy’s hair.
Not every moviegoer cared to be bombarded with Joker’s bleak, brutal brand of storytelling, though. While its big feet couldn’t fill Joker’s clown shoes, Abominable finished No. 2 and iced another $12 million. Meanwhile, Downton Abbey plopped a completely proper $8-million sugar cube into its box-office tea. It has now sipped $73.6 million overall—with its pinkie finger delicately extended, naturally. And even though that was good only for third place, you still get the sense that Downton was looking down its nose at its competition: “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit,” as Lady Violet might say.
Speaking of which, Hustlers continues to perform well. The salacious Jennifer Lopez actioner landed in fourth place with $6.3 million, bringing its total gross to $91.3 million. With a couple more strong weekends, Hustlers could become the 21st movie this year to earn more than $100 million.
IT: Chapter Two, of course, blew past that milestone ages ago. In fact—thanks to the $5.4 million it earned this weekend—Chapter Two became the seventh flick to earn more than $200 million domestically. It closes out our top five and can take pride in featuring the countdown’s second creepiest clown.
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