A Huntington Beach, California, theater showing Joker closed Thursday after the venue received what police believed to be a credible threat. On Wednesday, the Huntington Beach Police Department received information about a possible threat in response to the opening of Todd Phillips' R-rated film starring Joaquin Phoenix at the Century Theater, located at the Bella Terra shopping center at 7777 Edinger Ave. The threat was deemed credible enough for police to provide a uniformed presence and close the venue on Thursday night "out of an abundance of caution," according the Huntington Beach Police Department. The theater canceled the final two showings of the movie.

After an investigation, police determined the theater could safely reopen and resume normal operation on Friday. Showtimes for Joker and other films are listed on the theater's site, with the first Friday showing of Joker at 10:10 a.m. The Huntington Beach Police Department will provide patrols at Century Theater for the remainder of opening weekend. The Los Angeles Times was first to report the threat.

Theaters across the country have been on high alert with the dark Warner Bros. film opening after numerous threats — none credible until last night's — have been whirling around the internet. The FBI told The Hollywood Reporter it has been monitoring the situation. Police and sheriff departments have increased the number of officers both in and around theaters. And the venues themselves have put new rules in place, such as no costumes and all bags must be checked.