F9 has broken a coronavirus pandemic-era box office record after taking in $70 million in the U.S. over the film’s first weekend.
The ninth movie in the ‘Fast & Furious‘ franchise has raced ahead in becoming the most successful opening weekend movie since the COVID-19 global health crisis began.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the motion picture — which features Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto — also surpassed $400 million globally over the weekend, as cinemas are opening up across the world.
F9 zoomed in front of A Quiet Place Part II, which stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski and previously held the pandemic-era record after earning $57.1 million in the film’s opening weekend.
The movie — which also features Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron and Dame Helen Mirren — also bagged the biggest domestic opening since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019.
Diesel recently confirmed the franchise will cross the finish line in 2024 following the 10th and 11th movies.
He said: “Every story deserves its own ending.
“I know people are going to feel like it doesn’t have to end, but I think all good things should.
“There are reasons for a finale. I think this franchise has deserved it.”
Director Justin Lin, who will helm the final two movies, added: “We got together and Vin says, ‘I think we should think about closing up the saga now.’
“Nine [F9] is kind of the first film of the final chapter.
“We’re kind of reconfiguring everything, so that the next two movies should wrap up this amazing journey for these characters.”
ICYMI: Check out the trailers for F9 below.
