Martin Lawrence goes undercover in Big Momma's House 2

The film, which sees Martin Lawrence as an FBI agent go undercover as a nanny, took $28m (�15.8m) in its opening week.

It was the second-biggest January opening since a special edition Star Wars release in 1997.

Nanny McPhee, in which British actress Emma Thompson plays a magical children's governess, achieved second spot in the chart.

NORTH AMERICAN TOP FIVE 1. Big Momma's House 2 2. Nanny McPhee 3. Underworld: Evolution 4. Annapolis 5. Hoodwinked Source: Exhibitor Relations

It took $14.1m (�7.9m) in its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.

Last week's number one, Underworld: Evolution, starring Kate Beckinsale as a vampire warrior, slipped two places to number three.

Naval boxing drama Annapolis secured fourth place in the chart, followed by Red Riding Hood-inspired movie Hoodwinked.

Other films remaining in the top 10 include Brokeback Mountain, the Chronicles of Narnia and The Matador.

Outside the US the biggest film of the weekend was Steven Spielberg's Munich, based around the events of the Olympics in 1972 when 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian militants.

Opening in more than 30 countries, it took $15m (�8m), according to trade newspaper Screen International.

The controversial film is tipped to receive Oscar nominations when they are announced on Tuesday.