Ferrell is reunited with Anchorman director Adam McKay

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 Source: Exhibitor Relations

British horror film The Descent, made by Dog Soldiers director Neil Marshall, opened in fifth place with $8.8m (�4.6m).

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.