Kate Beckinsale stars in the sequel to 2003's Underworld

Starring UK actress Kate Beckinsale, Underworld: Evolution made its debut with $27.6m (�15.4m) in ticket sales.

Hoodwinked remained in second place in the North America chart, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

Brokeback Mountain, which won four Golden Globe awards last week, rose four places to number five.

'New momentum'

"The Golden Globes gave more validation and importance to the film, and the box office shows it," said Jack Foley, president of theatrical distribution at Brokeback Mountain's studio, Focus Features.

"It has created a whole new level of momentum."

The cowboy romance, which won Golden Globes for best motion picture and best director, took $7.8m (�4.3m) in the US - an increase of 35% on the previous weekend.