Joker laughs its way to October box office record with a stunning $93.5 million haul

He’s laughing all the way to the bank. 

Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, snatched a  stunning $93.5 million at the weekend box office, setting a new October record and slaying all comers.

Warner Bros.’ R-rated movie, that offers a dark spin on the classic Batman villain, easily beat the previous October record-holder, Spider-Man spinoff Venom, which opened to $80 million last year.

No tears for this clown: Joaquin Phoenix as Joker snatched a stunning $93.5 million at the  domestic weekend box office, setting a new October record, and $234 million globally

And it did even better around the world, snagging $140.5 million for a global haul of $234 million. 

Fears about about Joker’s violent themes caused many theater chains to ban costumes and authorities in numerous cities stepped up police patrols around theaters, according to Variety.

But security concerns certainly did not put off audiences.

Joker beat industry and studio expectations, easily recouping its $55 million production budget, Box Office Mojo reported.

Security fears. Concerns about about Joker's violent themes caused many theater chains to ban costumes and authorities in numerous cities stepped up police patrols around theaters

Security fears. Concerns about about Joker’s violent themes caused many theater chains to ban costumes and authorities in numerous cities stepped up police patrols around theaters

The more family friendly Abominable landed in second with $12 million, way below the blockbuster.

The DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio’s title has earned $37.8 million in North America after 10 days days on release and $38.5 million elsewhere, bringing its global take to $76.3 million.

The story of a magical yeti trying to return to his family stars the voice talents of Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson and Chloe Bennet.

Warm and fuzzy: The family friendly Abominable landed in second with $12 million, way below the blockbuster

Warm and fuzzy: The family friendly Abominable landed in second with $12 million, way below the blockbuster

In third is Downton Abbey, which enters its third week with $8 million bringing its local take to just under of $74 million and a global take of $135 million.

The upstairs-downstairs story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large English country estate in the early 20th century, continues where the TV series left off.

It stars Maggie Smith, Tuppence Middleton, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville among other talents.

Dancing all the way to the bank:  In third is Downton Abbey, which enters its third week with $8 million bringing its local take to just under of $74 million and a global take of $135 million

Dancing all the way to the bank:  In third is Downton Abbey, which enters its third week with $8 million bringing its local take to just under of $74 million and a global take of $135 million

Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, nabbed $6.3 million to top $91 million domestically.

Internationally, the comedy crime story added another $1.9 million for an overseas cume of $18.7 million and a global tally that now tops $110 million.

With Halloween coming up, horror movie It: Chapter Two scared up $5.35 million to claim fifth place after five weeks on release.

In fourth:  Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, nabbed $6.3 million to top $91 million domestically

In fourth:  Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, nabbed $6.3 million to top $91 million domestically

That brings its tally to $202.2 million, making it only the third R-rated film ever to top $200 million domestically.

Internationally, the film added another $5.6 million for a cume of $234.5 million and a worldwide total that now stands at $436.7 million.

The chiller follows up some  27 years after the original movie introduced audiences to Pennywise the scary clown.

It stars Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise plus Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader    

Thriller chiller: With Halloween coming up, horror movie It: Chapter Two scared up $5.35 million to claim fifth place after five weeks on release for a local cume of $202.2 million, making it only the third R-rated film ever to top $200 million domestically

Thriller chiller: With Halloween coming up, horror movie It: Chapter Two scared up $5.35 million to claim fifth place after five weeks on release for a local cume of $202.2 million, making it only the third R-rated film ever to top $200 million domestically

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