The choices on the movie marquee this weekend included Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, a film about Donald Trump, a “Saturday Night Live” origin story and even Pharrell Williams as a Lego.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is the No. 1 movie at the box office but is not destined for a happy ending.

A psychological thriller has big stars with big performances

After $1 billion at the box office, 11 Oscar nominations and two major wins, including for Joaquin Phoenix, it’s easy to forget the handwringing over “Joker.”.

Five years after “Joker” won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, filmmaker Todd Phillips is returning with the sequel.

Novak Djokovic might be busy trying to win the French Open but he definitely will be keeping tabs on how his friend and countryman Nikola Jokic fares in the NBA Finals with the Denver Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic had a triple-double after making up with Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Michael Porter Jr. sank five 3-pointers to help the Denver Nuggets beat Phoenix 118-102 on Tuesday night for a 3-2 series lead.

Crews for the “The Joker” sequel have been facing the possibility that filming in New York could be disrupted by real-life protests over the Trump case.

Awards season is in full swing as the 92nd annual Academy Awards take place this weekend. Leading with the most Oscar nominations is “Joker,” with 11 nominations in total. “The Irishman,” “1917” and “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood” each received 10 nominations. What or who do you think will win? Let us know what you think in the comments or by voting in the polls below.

LOS ANGELES, CA The "Maleficent" sequel has overtaken "Joker" for the weekend box-office crown in North America. Final figures released Monday showed "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" earned $19.4 million, pulling ahead of "Joker" by a mere $122,000. "Joker" had been the top film on Sunday based on studio estimates after being knocked out of the top spot by "Maleficent" last week. Joaquin Phoenix traces the origins of the classic Batman villain in "Joker." The "Maleficent" sequel, which stars Angelina Jolie as the classic Disney villain, has earned $66.2 million in North America in its first two weeks.

"Joker" pushed past the "Maleficent" sequel to top the chart; it's now the highest-grossing R-rated film ever worldwide.

People pose on the steps between two apartment buildings, Monday Oct. 28, 2019, in the Bronx borough of New York. The stairs have become a tourist attraction in recent weeks since the release of the movie Joker. In the movie, lead actor Joaquin Phoenix dances as he goes down the steps, wearing a bright red suit and clown makeup. A set of outdoor steps in the Bronx has become a tourist attraction in recent weeks since the release of the movie "Joker." In the movie, lead actor Joaquin Phoenix dances as he goes down the steps, wearing a bright red suit and clown makeup.

Todd Phillip's R-rated comic-book hit regained the top spot at the weekend box office in its fourth week of release, narrowly besting "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil." "Mistress of Evil," starring Angelina Jolie, is performing better overseas, where it grossed $64.3 million over the weekend. With such a close race at the top between "Joker" and "Mistress of Evil," the order could switch when final figures are released Monday. But ticket sales have continued to surge well past expectations for "Joker." "Joker," $18.9 million ($47.8 million international).

Fans of "Joker" are flocking to a neighborhood in New York City where the now-iconic scene of Joaquin Phoenixs character dancing on steep steps was filmed. The stairs are located in the South Bronx, just a short walk from Yankee Stadium. The Bronx steps are not the first steps to gain tourist attraction status due to a hit movie. RELATED STORIESWill a Convicted Pedophile Make Money From a Song in 'Joker'? The Real Disorder Behind the Joker's LaughMovie Theater Showing 'Joker' Is Shut Down After Cops Receive 'Credible Threat'

CNNNEW YORK (CNN) - Are the "Joker" stairs the new "Rocky" stairs? Fans of the "Joker," which hit theaters earlier this month, are taking photos in front of those stairs. Joker, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, dances down the stairs as Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part 2" plays in the background. "Always put a happy face..." wrote Arnaldo Silva in the caption of his "Joker" dance impression. Shout out to James May, who went for the basic tourist photo standing in front of the stairs.

Some viewers are outraged because the song he dances to was made by a convicted pedophile. Warner Brothers has been slammed because critics have been concerned that Glitter would get paid for the movie's use of his song. But apparently, Glitter no longer owns the rights to the song and won't get a penny. We've had no contact with him, according to a statement from Snapper Music, which now owns the song. RELATED STORIESMovie Theater Showing 'Joker' Is Shut Down After Cops Receive 'Credible Threat'Relatives of Aurora Shooting Victims Worry 'Joker' Could Inspire ViolenceThe Mysterious Death of Brandon Lee on the Set of The Crow

"Joker" breaks another box office record, INXS heads to theaters and a sneak peek at the new horror yarn, "The Turning."

There is growing heat on the former first lady to run for the nation's highest office. Joker's creepy laugh in the new film of the same name is actually based on a real-life medical disorder: pseudobulbar affect. Inside Edition was there when they met for the first time. And could someone be targeting witnesses in the trial of ex-cop Amber Guyger, who was convicted of killing her neighbor? For more Inside Edition stories tune in to today's show.

Joaquin Phoenix's creepy laugh in Joker is shedding light on a real-life medical disorder. In the film that shattered box office records over the weekend, Phoenixs sinister character explains he has a condition that causes him to laugh uncontrollably. It's called pseudobulbar affect, also known as PBA, and it's a neurological condition characterized by uncontrollable laughing and/or crying outbursts. RELATED STORIESLupita Nyong'o Faces Backlash for Modeling Spooky 'Us' Voice on Real Medical ConditionCould 'Joker' Controversy Hurt Film's Opening? Relatives of Aurora Shooting Victims Worry 'Joker' Could Inspire Violence

"Joker" went on a rampage, opening with an estimated $93.5 million -- easily topping "Venom's" October record of $80.3M.

(CNN) - "Joker" broke box office records this weekend, even as its controversial depiction of violence made some potential theatergoers anxious. "Joker" is the largest opening for Warner Bros. this year as well as one of the biggest openings for a R-rated film. "Warner Bros. believes that one of the functions of storytelling is to provoke difficult conversations around complex issues," a statement from the studio said last month. The record-setting box office performance from "Joker" is great news for Hollywood, which could use more hits as the year goes on. The domestic box office is down roughly 5% compared to last year, but there are many potential blockbusters still on the schedule.

"Joker" is facing backlash from some who say it could encourage violence. Police did not provide details on the threat, but it has many on edge as the weekend approaches and more moviegoers hit theaters across America. Inside Edition caught up with two of them. For more Inside Edition stories tune in to today's show. RELATED STORIESBoy, 4, Has Adorable Photo Shoot With His Favorite Baby Doll16-Year-Old With Permanent Lung Damage Warns Others About VapingMother Traded Daughter to Couple in Exchange for Car: Police

A California movie theater showing the film Joker shuttered its doors after receiving what police called a credible threat, officials said. Moviegoers planning to see Joaquin Phoenixs controversial film at the Century Huntington Beach and XD Theater in the Bella Terra shopping center Thursday instead found a closed theater surrounded by police. We took the threat seriously, and were investigating, Officer Angela Bennett, a spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department, told the Times. The FBI and U.S. Army also issued internal warnings about possible threats related to the movie. In 2012, a gunman killed 12 people after opening fire during a screening of the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.

Jason Carr sat down with movie reviewer Greg Russell to chat about the new movies everyone is talking about. "Joker" is a statement about being failed by the world around you and feeling lonely. "Joker" is rated R.Lucy in the Sky"Lucy in the Sky" is all about a woman trying to make it outer space. Lucy is an astronaut that doesn't come back the same after going to space, which leaves her with numerous questions. You can see "Lucy in the Sky" in theaters next weekend.

Joaquin Phoenix is drawing raves for his dark turn as "Joker," which aims to top "Venom's" October debut mark of $80.3M. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

There was heavy security at Wednesday night's New York opening of the controversial new movie "Joker." All New York theaters showing the movie will reportedly have a police presence. In the movie, Joaquin Phoenix plays a downtrodden loner who adopts the Joker persona to inflict extreme violence. Some critics fear the movie may prompt violence after the 2012 shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, where The Dark Knight Rises was being shown. Reviews were mostly positive and at last months Venice Film Festival, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation.

There is a constituency eager to blame Hollywood for contributing to societal ills that includes plenty of dishonest brokers. (At the risk of stating the obvious, this R-rated film is not for children, although a parade of related Halloween costumes seems sadly inevitable.) Ultimately, "Joker" is about the making of a monster, told in a manner that seeks to evoke empathy without rooting for him -- a fine line, underscoring a level of ambition beyond what's usually associated with comic-book-adjacent fare. Phoenix's live-wire work alone makes "Joker" an intriguing film, if one that has been conspicuously overpraised amid the irrational exuberance of film festivals. "Joker" premieres Oct. 4 in the US and is rated R. The film is being released by Warner Bros., like CNN, a unit of WarnerMedia.

(CNN) - Harley Quinn is having a girls night -- done her way. In the new trailer for "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," DC's demented and dynamic dame is fresh off a breakup with her beau, the Joker, and looking for "a fresh start." Mary Elizabeth Winstead (as Huntress), Jurnee Smollett-Bell (as Black Canary), Rosie Perez (Renee Montoya) and Ella Jay Basco (Cassandra Cain) round out her crew in the new movie from Warner Bros. Pictures. (CNN and Warner Bros. share parent company WarnerMedia.) The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.

In the new trailer for "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," DC's demented and dynamic dame is fresh off a breakup with her beau, the Joker, and looking for "a fresh start." WARNING: Video contains curse words.

"El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie," Tom Hanks to be honored, and gun violence victims ask the "Joker" studio for help.

The new movie starring Joaquin Phoenix is facing backlash from some before it even opens. Could it incite violence? Some are calling out Trump after his frosty encounter with Greta Thunberg at the United Nations. Blood-curdling screams echoed through a California neighborhood when a real estate agent came under attack while showing a house. For more Inside Edition stories tune in to today's show.

Warner Bros. Pictures via CNN(CNN) - A group of people whose loved ones witnessed or were killed in 2012's Aurora theater shooting are calling on Warner Bros. to help combat gun violence as the studio prepares to release its rated-R comic book film "Joker." (Warner Bros., like CNN, is owned by WarnerMedia.) "Over the last several weeks, large American employers from Walmart to CVS have announced that they are going to lean into gun safety. Shooter James Holmes is currently serving multiple life sentences for the shooting, which killed 12 and injured 70. Warner Bros. has not responded to CNN's e-mailed request for comment.

Joaquin Phoenix attends the "Joker" premiere during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on Sept. 9, 2019, in Toronto. (CNN) - Joaquin Phoenix is known for being extremely private and rarely mentions his late brother, River. Phoenix thanked his late brother during an emotional acceptance speech Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival after he was awarded the TIFF Tribute Actor Award. The Phoenix brothers aren't the only ones who have found success in Hollywood, as their sisters Rain, Liberty and Summer are also actors. Joaquin Phoenix also had words of gratitude for them Monday in his speech.

Warner Bros. Pictures via CNNVENICE, Italy (CNN) - Let's put a smile on that face: A "Batman" prequel scored big Saturday at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. Todd Phillips' "Joker" took home the festival's big prize, the Golden Lion for Best Film. The movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and is slated to hit theaters on October 4, explores the origins of the Joker, Batman's archenemy. Phillips also thanked Phoenix, who joined him on stage. The 76th Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest film festival, was held August 28 through September 7.