Will Ferrell comedy races to top

The movie took $47m (£25m) in its opening weekend, according to early studio estimates.

This would make it the second-biggest opening by a non-sequel comedy, behind Bruce Almighty's $68m (£36m) in 2003.

The animated Barnyard: The Original Party Animals opened second, taking an estimated $16m (£8.4m).

The year's biggest movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, was third in the chart with estimated receipts of $11m (£5.8m).

'On a roll'

Last weekend's number one, Miami Vice, fell to fourth place in its second weekend. It took an estimated $9.7m (£5.1m).

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE

• 1. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
• 2. Barnyard: The Original Party Animals
• 3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
• 4. Miami Vice
• 5. The Descent
• 6. John Tucker Must Die
• 7. Monster House
• 8. Ant Bully
• 9. The Night Listener
• 10. You, Me and Dupree

Box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said takings for the top 12 films were up 17% on the same week last year.

"Hollywood's on a roll. Last year at this time it was all gloom and doom," said president Paul Dergarabedian.

"Eighteen of the past 20 weekends have been up over last year. This is a terrific summer."

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Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
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