WASHINGTON — Warner Bros.' Joker laughed best again this weekend as it took in an estimated US$55 million in North American movie theatres, an industry group reported on Sunday.

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Joker provides the backstory for the rise of Batman's maniacal nemesis, painting a dark and disturbing portrayal of a would-be stand-up comedian's descent into madness.

Last week, the film directed by Todd Phillips — maker of The Hangover trilogy — set a record for an October release, taking in $93.5 million in its first weekend, Exhibitor Relations said.

United Artist's family- and Halloween-friendly The Addams Family placed second, scaring up an estimated $30.3 million for its opening weekend.

It follows the mysterious and spooky Addams family as they prepare for a visit from some even creepier relatives.

In third, at an estimated $20.5 million, was Paramount's new film Gemini Man, which stars Will Smith as a retired hitman who must face off against a younger clone of himself.

Abominable from Universal came in fourth, down from last week's second, at an estimated $6.2 million. It tells the story of a teen and her friends trying to help a young Yeti reunite with its family as a wealthy man seeks to capture it as a prize.

And in fifth was Focus Features' Downton Abbey, at $5 million. The cinematic follow-up to the hit TV series has the Crawleys and their earnest staff scrambling to prepare for an unexpected visit by the British royals. — AFP