Sandler tickles funny bones in US

Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen in Funny People

Seth Rogen (right) co-stars in the film, directed by Judd Apatow

Adam Sandler's comedy Funny People was the biggest draw at the North American box office this weekend, making $23.4m (£14m) according to studio estimates.

The film, about a comic who learns he has a terminal illness, knocked guinea pig adventure G-Force off the top spot after a single week at number one.

G-Force was also beaten by the sixth Harry Potter film, which took second place with takings of $17.7m (£10.5m).

Katherine Heigl's romantic comedy The Ugly Truth dropped one place to four.

Its second weekend takings of $13m (£7.7m) put it ahead of new release Aliens in the Attic.

Starring High School Musical's Ashley Tisdale, the family adventure made its debut in fifth place with a disappointing $7.8m (£4.6m).

Ticket sales were down 23% on last weekend and 25% down on the equivalent period last year.

If Sunday's estimates prove accurate, Funny People's debut weekend haul in the US and Canada is the lowest so far for any film opening in first place this year.

Final figures will be released on Monday.