According to Deadline Raja Gosnell’s “The Smurfs” is stronger than anyone–including me–has anticipated (or that Cowboys & Aliens is weaker, depending upon how you look at it).  Weekend box office for both films is running neck and neck.

I am not sure why this is, though it’s interesting because, while Box Office Mojo doesn’t list the production budget of”The Smurfs,” according to the New York Times, it costs around $110 million–which is another surprise because I would not have guessed over $50 million.

Now,”Cowboys & Aliens” cost $163 million, so I am not sure how well it’s going to do since “The Smurfs” is providing much more competition than just about anyone could have guessed.