Toy Story 3 was the shining star of the summer at the U.S. box office, taking in a huge $405 million in ticket sales.

The third installment in the hit franchise overtook Shrek 2 to become the world's most successful cartoon film last month, and was also the biggest blockbuster of the summer season - outselling its live-action rivals.

Sequels were big business at America's box office over the last few months, with Iron Man 2 coming in second with $312 million and Twilight Saga: Eclipse at number three with takings of $298 million.

The top five summer movies also included Inception, with $267 million and Shrek Forever After, which took $238 million.

It's the latest box office record that Toy Story 3 has smashed - it became the first animated movie to cross the $1 billion mark earlier this year.

The U.S. box office summer season runs from May to August.