Newsmakers

Newsmakers

‘Furious 7’ races past expectations

LOS ANGELES

The high-octane “Furious 7” peeled out of the gates in its opening weekend, picking up a stunning $143.6 million from 4,004 locations to easily top the domestic box office, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

The expectation- shattering sum is a studio and franchise best for the homegrown car-obsessed series, which has continued to grow over the past few films.

“Furious 7,” now the ninth-biggest opening of all time, also unseats previous April record-holder “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which opened to $95 million on the same weekend last year.

While the “Fast and Furious” films have grown in popularity over the past three films, the mega-opening for “Furious 7” was also at least partially tied to audience interest in star Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in Nov. 2013 before the film was completed.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak (final domestic figures will be released today):

1. “Furious 7,” $143.6 million.

2. “Home,” $27.4 million.

3. “Get Hard,” $12.9 million.

4. “Cinderella,” $10.3 million.

5. “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” $10 million.

6. “It Follows,” $2.5 million.

7. “Woman in Gold,” $2 million.

8. “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” $1.7 million.

9. “Do You Believe,” $1.5 million.

10. “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” $1 million.

Associated Press