Los Angeles (AFP)

The highly anticipated "Joker" Warner Studios has propelled this week-end to the top of the North American box office, with $ 96.2 million in revenue, despite controversies over its violent themes, according to the final figures published Monday by the specialized company Exhibitor Relations.

This performance is the best ever made for the release of a film during a month of October in the United States and Canada, reports the specialized media. The previous record was held by another super-villain, "Venom", who had raised $ 80.2 million last year for his first weekend of operation.

"Joker", Todd Phillips's film about the origins of Batman's arch-nemesis, with Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, was crowned by the highest award at the Venice Film Festival.

However, it quickly sparked a controversy in the United States even before its release, some fearing that the film may incite violence, especially because of the empathy shown by the director Todd Phillips with respect to his hero.

Far behind, in second place, comes the Sino-US animated film "Abominable", with its magical Yeti, which pocketed $ 11.9 million from Friday to Sunday (37.7 million in two weeks).

With eight million dollars, "Downton Abbey", the movie adaptation of the TV series narrating the adventures of the Crawley family and his servants, won the third place. In three weeks of operation, its revenues reach 73.6 million.

The strippers of "Queens", who rob their wealthy Wall Street customers, with Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu and Cardi B in the cast, are fourth with $ 6.4 million (91.4 million in four weeks).

"This: Chapter 2", the sequel to the horror film adapted from Stephen King's novel, ranks fifth by adding $ 5.3 million to his recipes. In total, it has already garnered some 428 million worldwide since its release five weeks ago.

Here is the rest of the Top 10:

6. "Ad Astra": $ 4.2 million ($ 43.3 million in three weeks),

7. "Judy": $ 4.6 million ($ 6 million in two weeks);

8. "Rambo: Last Blood": $ 3.6 million (39.9 in three weeks);

9. "War": $ 1.6 million for its release

10. "Good Boys": $ 900,000 ($ 82 million in seven weeks).

© 2019 AFP