‘Joker’ Exceeds Domestic Opening Weekend Predictions and Breaks October Record
Written by SOURCE on October 6, 2019
Joker’s opening weekend has outpaced industry predictions. The new DC film is set to earn over $95 million domestically during its opening weekend, according to Deadline. This beats Venom‘s year-old record ($80.3 million) for biggest October debut ever.
On Friday, estimates for the film’s opening weekend were at $94 million, with Warner Bros. reporting a $39.9 million opening day. Joker is expected to make $265 million domestic by the end of its theatrical run, more than what Venom made last year with $213.5 million.
Deadline reports that one rival distribution source has claimed Joker could see a worldwide opening of $195 to $210 million, which would be right behind Venom’s opening October global record of $207.4 million.
The opening weekend totals is also a new record for director Todd Phillips, surpassing the domestic launch of The Hangover 2 ($85.9 million) in 2011. It’s also an opening record for Joaquin Phoenix, eclipsing the 2002 opening of Signs ($60.1 million), and for Robert De Niro, ahead of 2004’s Shark Tale ($47.6 million)
Joker‘s box offices wins comes despite the security concerns spurred by the graphic nature of the film. On Friday, a Los Angeles-area theater canceled its screenings after police uncovered what was deemed as a “credible” threat. Undercover NYPD officers were also reportedly attending showings to “ensure safety for ticket buyers in their seats.”
