Ben Stiller's new comedy Night At The Museum topped the crowded US Christmas box office in the US, earning $43.2 million during the four-day holiday beginning last Friday.

Musical Dreamgirls was also a star performer, grossing $8.7 million on its national opening day on Monday, which was enough to score the number seven spot.

Rocky Balboa finished third with $17 million and Matt Damon's spy drama The Good Shepherd enjoyed a solid opening with $14.1 million, capturing fourth place.

Another wide release, the inspirational sports story We Are Marshall starring Matthew Mcconaughey, took in $9.7 million for a fifth place finish.

The Pursuit Of Happyness continued to perform strongly with a second place finish, generating an estimated $23.1 million to hit $61.4 million overall.