Weekend of August 7 – 9, 2009: “G.I. Joe” rises as “Funny People” falls

Paramount’s summer action spectacle “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” raced to the top of the North American box office this weekend with a solid $56.2 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Directed by Stephen Sommers and based on the popular Hasbro action figure, the film starring Channing Tatum, Dennis Quaid, Marlon Wayans and Sienna Miller scored an average of $14,025 per theater at 4,007 locations.

Debuting in second place with $20.1 million was Nora Ephron’s comedy “Julie & Julia,” which stars Meryl Streep and Amy Adams as two women whose passions for cooking guide them to new happiness.

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Stephen Sommers' action film "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" stormed to the top of the North American box office Friday with a solid $22.3 million in ticket sales.

The film based on the popular Hasbro action figure opened at 4,007 locations, scoring an average of $5,565 per theater. The action-packed spectacle follows a unit of soliders tracking down a ruthless weapons manufacturer planning to take over the world.

At No. 2, Nora Ephron's comedy "Julie & Julia" finished with a daily gross of $6.5 million at 2,354 locations. Based on two true stories, the film starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams follows two women whose passions for cooking guide them to new happiness.

This weekend's third new entry, "A Perfect Getaway," only made it to No. 7, earning $2.1 million from ticket sales at 2,159 locations. The thriller with Milla Jovovich follows a bunch of couples encountering their worst nightmare on a Hawaiian vacation.

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Weekend of July 31 – August 2, 2009: “Funny People” opens strong, “Potter” close behind

Judd Apatow’s latest comedy “Funny People” jumped to the top of the North American box office this weekend with $23.4 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The R-rated film, which received mixed reviews, scored an average of $7,793 per theater at 3,008 locations. Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann, “People” follows the adventures of a stand-up comedian who's having a near-death experience.

“Aliens in the Attic,” this weekend’s second wide release, only made it to No. 5 with a three-day gross of $7.8 million, despite a run at 3,106 locations. The film follows a family’s battle against alien intruders in their vacation home.

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Judd Apatow's latest comedy "Funny People" topped the North American box office Friday with an estimated $8.6 million in ticket sales at 3,007 locations.

Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann, the film follows a stand-up comedian whose near-death experience encourages him to change his life.

Last week's box office champion "G-Force" came in second Friday, generating another $5.7 million for a total domestic gross of $55.1 million after one week in release.

"Aliens in the Attic," the second wide release this weekend, only made it to No. 5 with a one-day gross of $2.8 million. The family adventure is currently playing at 3,106 locations.

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