The highly anticipated tenth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, Fast X, debuted in theaters this weekend to $67.5 million at the domestic box office. Although disappointing, the film’s domestic performance is hardly a surprise.
Since 2015’s Furious 7, which opened to a series-high $148 million at the domestic box office, the franchise has pulled in fewer and fewer domestic moviegoers. However, Fast X held the fort in overseas markets where it made $251.4 million to bring its total opening gross to $319.9 million. (It beat expectations by several million dollars with an earlier Deadline report projecting a $300 million debut.)
Although Fast X debuted in 84 overseas markets, it pulled in the most from audiences in China with $78.3 million followed by Mexico with $16.7 million, France with $9.7 million, and Brazil with $9.6 million. Other notable mentions include India, Indonesia, Germany, the UK, Japan, and South Korea where it grossed $8.6 million, $8.4 million, $8 million, $7.6 million, $7 million, and $6.7 million, respectively.
With its performance, Fast X now has the second highest-grossing debut weekend this year behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie which launched to $377 million in March. The film’s earnings mean it also has the third highest debut of films in the Fast and Furious franchise behind 2017’s The Fate of the Furious and 2015’s Furious 7.
Given Fast X's $340 million budget, Universal Pictures hopes it can continue this trend of attracting audiences in droves, at least until the next big blockbuster, Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, arrives in June.
Jim Orr, who heads Universal’s domestic distribution division, had this to say about the film’s debut, "What a tremendous global debut for this incredible, unique franchise. Audiences were revved up to see their beloved ‘Fast’ family back in theaters with all the spectacular action and familial themes that resonate so well across the globe."
Like the other films in the franchise, Fast X follows Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto as he leads his large family and friends-turned-family in a battle for survival. They are the target of the egomaniac son, played by Jason Momoa, of an old foe who is determined to destroy them as vengeance for his father’s death and his family’s loss of fortune.
Apart from Diesel and Momoa, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Brie Larson, Tyrese Gibson, Rita Moreno, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Jordan Brewster, Sung Kang, and John Cena.
It was directed by Louis Leterrier and produced by Diesel, former franchise director Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, Samantha Vincent, and Jeff Kirschenbaum.
By the way, Fast X ends on a cliffhanger which is hardly surprising since the film is only the first installment of a two-part ending to the franchise. The second installment is slated to arrive in 2025 and will bring back Dwayne Johnson, one of the franchise’s old stars.
At least, that was the plan until recently when Diesel revealed that the studio is interested in making a 12th installment. Whether that interest will become a reality remains to be seen.
Fast X is currently showing in theaters worldwide.
