The Joker’s Big Surprise

Joker laughed all the way to the bank, despite controversy over depictions of violence in the Joaquin Phoenix top-lining film.

The Warner Bros. film broke all-time records for an October opener, bringing in an estimated $93 million from ticket sales in its first weekend out. Spider-Man spinoff Venom held the previous record with $80 million.

Because of concerns raised by family members of the 2012 mass shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, additional security measures were taken at certain theaters, and some chains banned costumes.

Still audience members came out in droves, and the opening weekend exceeded industry projections and its $55 million budget. Family friendly Abominable landed in second with $12 million, and Downton Abbey closed out the top three with $8 million.