The Joaquin Phoenix scarefest slipped from last weekend’s take of US$29.2 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period, but still bested the US$18.5 million taken in by “Maleficent,” a dark fantasy from Disney starring Angelina Jolie.

“Joker,” with Phoenix incarnating Batman’s notorious nemesis, accomplished the rare feat of returning to No 1 in its fourth week out.

It has now taken in an impressive US$849.1 million globally, becoming the most successful R-rated movie in history, according to Variety.

With Halloween only days away, scary movies did well overall.

In third spot was “The Addams Family” from United Artists, at US$11.7 million. The computer animation, following the spooky Addams family and some creepy relatives, features the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Snoop Dogg and Bette Midler.

In fourth, at US$11.6 million in its second week out, was Sony’s “Zombieland: Double Tap,” a comedy starring Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone and Luke Wilson.

New release “Countdown” from STX films placed fifth at US$9 million.

The low-budget horror film tells the tale of a nurse (Elizabeth Lail) who finds an app that predicts exactly when people will die – and learns her own death is only days away.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

“Black and Blue” (US$8.3 million)

“Gemini Man” (US$4 million)

“The Lighthouse” (US$3.1 million)

“The Current War: Director’s Cut” (US$2.7 million)

“Abominable” (US$2 million)