'Incredibles 2' amazes at the box office

The combined powers of superheroes, the Pixar brand and a drought of family-friendly films helped "Incredibles 2" become the best animated opening of all time, the biggest PG-rated launch ever and the 8th highest film launch overall.

Disney estimated Sunday that the film earned $180 million in its first weekend in North American theaters — far surpassing industry analysts' loftiest expectations that had the film pegged for a $120 million to $140 million debut.

It knocked "Ocean's 8" to a distant second in its second weekend in theaters.

The previous animation record-holder was another Pixar sequel, "Finding Dory," which had a $135 million launch in 2016. It was Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" that held the record for a PG debut with $174.8 million in 2017.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:

1. "Incredibles 2," $180 million.

2. "Ocean's 8," $19.6 million.

4. "Solo: A Star Wars Story," $9.1 million.

5. "Deadpool 2," $8.8 million.

6. "Hereditary," $7 million.

7. "Superfly," $6.3 million.

8. "Avengers: Infinity War," $5.3 million.

10. "Book Club," $1.9 million.