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Toy Story 3 has had the biggest-ever opening for a Disney Pixar film, raking in $109m (£73m) in its opening weekend, initial estimates suggest.

It knocked The Karate Kid, which took $29m (£19.49m), into second place.

The previous best debut for a Disney Pixar animation was $70.5m (£47m) for The Incredibles in 2004.

The film features the toys - including Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear - worrying about their future as their owner leaves for college.

"Whether you're a kid or a parent, you always come to a fork in the road where you make the decision of what to do about your toys. Therein lies the appeal of the movie," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney.

In third place on the film chart was a remake of the 1980s TV series The A-Team.

The action caper, which stars Liam Neeson, took $13.8m (£9.27m), despite polarising critics.

Russell Brand's comedy Get Him To the Greek was in fourth spot with $6.1m (£4.1m), with Shrek Forever After in fifth.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, held firm at six.

Comic book adaptation Jonah Hex had a disappointing debut, taking just $5.1m (£3.43m) and landing in seventh spot.

Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher film Killers was eighth, with takings of $4.8m (£3.22m).

Iron Man 2 and canine comedy Marmaduke rounded out the top 10 with takings of $2.7m (£1.8m) apiece.