Night at the Museum features exhibits which come to life

The family film, which is also number one in the UK, earned $24m (�12.4m) between Friday and Monday, bringing its total US ticket sales to $164m (�85m).

Will Smith's former chart-topper The Pursuit of Happyness was at number two with an estimated take of $13m (�6.7m).

Sci-fi thriller Children of Men jumped 19 places to number three.

The Alfonso Cuaron film, which stars Clive Owen and was number one in the UK last year, made the leap after expanding its opening from 16 to 1,209 cinemas.

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE 1. Night at the Museum ($24m) 2. The Pursuit of Happyness ($13m) 3. Children of Men (pictured, $10.3m) 4. Freedom Writers ($7.4m) 5. Dreamgirls $8.8m) 6. Happily N'Ever After ($6.8m) 7. Charlotte's Web ($6.6m) 8. The Good Shepherd ($6.5m) 9. Rocky Balboa ($6.3m) 10. We Are Marshall ($3.9m) Source: Media by Numbers

However, it is still playing in about a third of the number of venues screening Night at The Museum and The Pursuit of Happyness.

The highest new entry was Hilary Swank's drama Freedom Writers, which made its debut at number four with $9.7m (�5m).

Based on a true story, the film stars the two-time Oscar-winner as a school teacher who inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance and pursue higher education.

Other new releases in the chart included the cartoon Happily N'Ever After at number six and the comedy Code Name: The Cleaner at number 11.

Beyonce's Dreamgirls, which is loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes, dropped to number five - but could rise up the charts when it opens in an extra 1,000 cinemas this week.