'Finding Dory' achieves highest commercial opening for an animated film ever

Disney-Pixar’s latest animated feature film Finding Dory has smashed box office records, collecting an estimated US$140.6 million (AU$190.1 million) on its opening day.

The Ellen DeGeneres-starring sequel to 2003’s Finding Nemo is now expected to rank as having the highest opening ever for an animated film, Deadline reports.

Earnings so far easily top those of previous record-holder, Shrek the Third, which opened to US$121.6 million (AU$164.5 million) back in 2007.

It comes following Pixar’s previous hit, Inside Out, last year. The film netted US$90.4 (AU$122.3 million) at opening.

Finding Dory also marks Pixar’s widest release ever, with the film debuting at more than 4300 theatres.