Laughs reigned in US and Canadian theaters this weekend as two comedy movies targeting different audiences took the top seats at the box office, eclipsing martial arts saga "The Forbidden Kingdom" that put Chinese heroes Jackie Chan and Jet Li together for first time.

According to preliminary box office figures released yesterday, "Baby Mama," a comedy with two female leads released by Universal, took in an estimated US$18.3 million over the three-day period, followed by R-rated comedy "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" with about US$14.6 million.

Meanwhile, last week's box office leader "The Forbidden Kingdom" fell to the third place with US$11.2 million. The Lionsgate release have earned about US$38.3 million in North America after 10 days in release.

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall," another Universal comedy already in theaters, also slipped two seats to No. 4 with US$11 million in its second weekend, while 20th Century Fox family adventure "Nim's Island" was steady at No. 5 with US$4.5 million.