That conversation bolstered Joker's appeal among mainstream moviegoers, since people were curious to see what all the fuss was about.
After Joker earned nearly $40 million in its first day alone, it was a foregone conclusion it would break the record. Now, viewers know just how much it grossed.
According to Box Office Mojo, Joker made $93.5 million in the U.S. during its first three days. That's not just the highest October opening ever, it's also the fourth-largest debut for an R-rated film in history (trailing only Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and IT). Worldwide, Joker's made $234 million.
While the backlash and intense debates surrounding Joker definitely played a role in these results, it's far from the only reason the film exceeded expectations (it's a perceived Oscar contender at this point in the season) and a visible, effective marketing campaign that made an impact with its target demographic. When one also considers how popular the Joker character is in the zeitgeist, there wasn't anything that could hold a candle to it.
In all likelihood, Joker should have strong legs. The discourse about the movie isn't going to die down anytime soon, which should draw more people to the theater in the coming weeks. Additionally, it doesn't look like the competition will intensify in the near future. Next week's Zombieland: Double Tap is probably arriving far too late to leave much of an impression. This isn't to say Joker is going to hold on to the top spot for the entire month, but unless something drastic happens, it's set up for a massive run.
Source: Box Office Mojo
