Box Office Returns - Weekend 7/31/09-8/02/09

This week we have Funny People written and directed by Judd Apatow and starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan. The ads haves been somewhat mediocre, some good and some bad but I saw plenty of ads and I am in the key demographic. It also only has 3,000 theaters, less then Aliens in the Attic but it definitely will have more screens, which is what really matters. Reliable tracking is saying it will be high 30's and Adam Sandler can easily make this type of money in a weekend. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry made $34.23 Million opening weekend and You Don't Mess with the Zohan made $38.53 Million opening weekend.

Judd Apatow has made written/directed two great movies with 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up and reviews for Funny People have been positive. I think that his brand name combined with Sandler's will give this movie a big Opening Weekend. I am expecting $37 Million+.

Aliens in the Attic is facing some steep competition with G-Force which is in 3-D and tracking doesn't have this passing $10 Million. I think it has the ability to reach that but not by much more.

Opening Weekend Predictions
Funny People: $37 Million
Aliens in the Attic: $10 Million

I have gotten some contracts shorting Aliens in the Attic at $11 - $14 Million and have gone long on Funny People $35-$40 Million.