'Joker' reclaims top spot, dethrones 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil'

The two villains had been in a close race for first place, but Sunday estimates show 'Joker' walks away victorious

LOS ANGELES: Put on a happy face: In its fourth weekend in theaters, Warner Bros’ Joker returned to the top of domestic box office charts, narrowly defeating Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

The two villains had been in a close race for first place, but Sunday estimates show Joker will walk away victorious with $18.9 million in ticket sales. Those rankings could change Monday morning after final tallies are reported since Maleficent 2 is close behind with $18.5 million.

PHOTO: WARNER BROS

The surprise (and non-consecutive) win highlights the impressive endurance of Joker, which is only the third movie this year — following Universal’s Glass and Disney’s Avengers: Endgame — to secure in first place during three weekends.

Joker recently became the most successful R-rated movie in history, collecting $849 million worldwide. Joaquin Phoenix’s gritty take on Batman’s infamous nemesis has generated $277 million in North America and $571 million at the international box office.

PHOTO: FILE

Since debuting last No 1 to a disappointing $36 million, Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil has generated a lackluster $65 million at the domestic box office.

The dark fantasy sequel continues to be a bigger player overseas, where it pulled in another $64.3 million for an international haul of $228 million. Globally, the Maleficent follow-up is nearing the $300 million mark.

 

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