LOS ANGELES, June 16 (Reuters) - Animated Pixar movie

"Inside Out 2" generated an estimated $155 million in U.S. and

Canadian ticket sales over the weekend, the year's largest

debut, according to estimates released on Sunday.

The Friday through Sunday tally topped the $82.5 million

brought in by previous box office leader "Dune: Part Two" in

March.

Walt Disney ( DIS ), which owns animation studio Pixar, said

the movie in international markets brought in a global total of

$295 million through Sunday.

The results provided a boost for theater owners, who have

fewer movies to show this year because of delays caused by

strikes in Hollywood last year.

Total domestic ticket sales through Sunday are running 24%

behind the same point in 2023, Comscore ( SCOR ) said.

The last two Pixar releases, "Elemental" and

"Lightyear," had mediocre ticket sales. Three prior Pixar films

were sent straight to streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Inside Out 2" is a sequel to the 2015 hit about the inner

workings of a young girl's mind. In the second installment, lead

character Riley has become a teenager and is grappling with new

emotions including anxiety and envy.

The original "Inside Out" opened with about $90 million in

its first weekend in the summer of 2015.