NEWS

Smurfs and Cowboys enjoy box office success

1st August 2011

(Cover) - EN Movies - Cowboys & Aliens and The Smurfs shared the US box office number one spot this weekend.

The two very different movies both earned around $36 million in their opening weekend. Directed by Jon Favreau, sci-fi thriller Cowboys & Aliens tells the story of a spaceship arriving in Arizona in 1873, with cowboys attempting to halt aliens' bid to take over the Earth. It stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde. Meanwhile, family animation The Smurfs sees the well-known cartoon characters being chased out of their village by evil wizard Gargamel, and features big names including Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Sofa Vergara.

The third newcomer in the US box office this weekend didn't do quite as well, with romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love. only making it into fifth place with $19 million. It tells the story of a father trying to cope with a marital crisis, and boasts an A-list cast including Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling.

Meanwhile, the final movie in the Potter franchise Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, continued to prove a smash. The picture took fourth place, adding $21 million to its total sales which are now $318 million.

Other movies featuring in the top ten include comedies Horrible Bosses and Friends with Benefits and action pictures Captain America: The First Avenger and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. (C) Cover Media

Tags: Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Cowboys & Aliens, The Smurfs,