LOS ANGELES — Museum crowds are strong at movie theaters.

Ben Stiller's "Night at the Museum" took in $24 million to stay on top at the box office for a third straight weekend, fending off a soft crop of newcomers during the post-holiday lull.

"Night at the Museum," from 20th Century Fox, raised its three-week domestic total to $164.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Will Smith's "The Pursuit of Happyness," from Sony, finished second again with $13 million to raise its total to $124.2 million.

Expanding from its Christmas debut in a handful of theaters, Universal's thriller "Children of Men" led the new wide releases, coming in at No. 3 with $10.3 million.

1. "Night at the Museum," $24 million.

2. "The Pursuit of Happyness," $13 million.

3. "Children of Men," $10.3 million.

4. "Freedom Writers," $9.7 million.

5. "Dreamgirls," $8.8 million.

6. "Happily N'Ever After," $6.8 million.

7. "Charlotte's Web," $6.6 million.

8. "The Good Shepherd," $6.5 million.

9. "Rocky Balboa," $6.3 million.

10. "We Are Marshall," $5.1 million.