Will and Jaden Smith at the German premiere of 'Happyness'. - Reuters

LONDON, England (Reuters):

The Pursuit of Happyness, in which Will Smith appears with his own son Jaden, jumped straight to the top of the British box office on its opening weekend, Screen International said yesterday.

Smith's acclaimed portrayal of a salesman in early 1980s San Francisco trying to prove himself by becoming a broker took 2.5 million pounds.

It knocked into second-place Night at the Museum, Ben Stiller's portrayal of a bemused guard at a natural history museum where the exhibits come to life at night. It had enjoyed two weeks at the top.

New at three was gangster comedy Smokin' Aces, the tale of a race to rub out Buddy 'Aces' Israel who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Las Vegas mob.