JUDD Apatow’s Funny People has topped the US box office with $23.4 million, as widely expected.

The R-rated comedy-drama, starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Eric Bana, took less than Apatow’s Knocked Up ($30.7 million) but, according to distributor Universal, performed in line with pre-weekend expectations.

The film finds Sandler playing a stand-up comedian who is told he has months to live, only to be given a second chance in life after undergoing specialist treatment. He then attempts to get his life back in order with the help of his friends, and win back the woman of his dreams (played by Apatow’s real-life wife, Mann).

Elsewhere at the US box office, family comedy Aliens in the Attic opened disappointingly with only $7.8 million, to secure fifth spot in the Top 10.

But family fare generally continued to perform well, with Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince leading the current releases with a further $17.7 million. Its 19-day total now stands at $255.5 million, while the film lies in second place at the box office.

Disney’s G-Force, which topped last week’s box office, finished third with $17.1 million to bring its 10-day total to $66.5 million.

Next story: Rob Marshall set to board Pirates 4?

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