Despite the vehement protestations of young Dylan Dakota Banana Murphy, America made G.I. Joe a fairly staggering opening-day success. Paramount's daring "Fertilize Mid-America" plan clearly paid off with $22.3 million on Friday; if that pace holds through Sunday, it would give Joe the highest grossing August opening for a non-sequel. You're witnessing history, folks! Perhaps Sony might have thought to try a similar strategy with Julie and Julia, which performed just about in line with its modest expectations. And shed a tear for Funny People, which appears to be setting up for a slide of nearly 70 percent from last weekend.
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA: $22,300,000
JULIE AND JULIA: $6,500,000
G-FORCE: $3,000,000
FUNNY PEOPLE: $2,600,000
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE: $2,550,000
[Source: Variety]