Furious 7 races to fifth highest-grossing film ever

By Steve Smith April 27, 2015

A crew walks together toward the camera in Fast and Furious 6. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Even though they race a quarter mile at a time, there is seemingly no finish line in sight for Dominic Toretto and his crew. They started out fast, then they got a little furious and now they have the fifth highest-grossing film of all time.

Furious 7 has continued its box-office dominance by passing Frozen for fifth place on the list for highest grossing movies. For the fourth consecutive weekend, series star Vin Diesel and a rag-tag team of racers have topped the U.S. box office, earning more than $1.32 billion in less than a month. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is definitely within reach for the fourth spot, having grossed $1.34 billion when it was released back in 2011.

The seventh outing in the increasingly popular film franchise is also just the third movie to make over $1 billion internationally, joining Avatar and Titanic in that exclusive club. Both of James Cameron’s epic films are quite a long ways away grossing-wise, even in a suped-up 1970 Dodge Charger, having pulled in over $2 billion each when they were released.

The longer this ride goes, the more records Furious 7 seems to break. It has become the fastest film to reach $1 billion in Hollywood history, and it’s the most successful live-action film franchise based on an original idea, with plans to make three more films, including the recently announced sequel to Furious 7, which is slated to release April 14, 2017.

Furious 7 starred Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, and Kurt Russell. There’s no word yet on which series stars will be returning or what newcomers may join in. Regardless, it will be a stretch for the next three films to match Furious 7‘s success.

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Does Fast X have a post-credits scene?

A man stands next to a car in Fast X.

It's been over 20 years since Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) first drove into our lives. During this time, Dom has driven a car between skyscrapers, dragged a vault through the streets of Rio, parachuted out of a plane in a vehicle, and destroyed a submarine. In other words, just another day for Dom and his crew.

The Fast & Furious franchise returns for more over-the-top action and thrilling chase sequences in Fast X, the 10th film in the main installment. Dom faces his biggest adversary yet in the form of Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the son of drug lord Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), who seeks to exact his vengeance on the Toretto family. There is at least one more Fast film in development, and judging by the end of Fast X, there is still another story to tell.

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This scene in Fast X had me on the edge of my seat

Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto stands in front of the Coliseum in Fast X.

It's summer blockbuster season, which means Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family are racing into theaters with the arrival of the next installment in The Fast Saga. Directed by Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me), Fast X continues to follow the proven formula that's led to a worldwide gross of $6.6 billion, slotting it in the top 10 of highest-grossing franchise of all time. Dom faces a new villain threatening his family's safety, forcing his crew to partake in some of the wildest missions ever imagined.

Yet, Fast X's villain, Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), feels different as he mirrors DC's iconic bad guy The Joker, as he's a brilliant sociopath who takes pride in making his adversaries suffer. Dante is the son of drug lord Hernán Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), who owned the vault Dom and Brian (Paul Walker) stole in Fast Five. The opening moments of Fast X relive the ending of Fast Five, inserting Dante into the scenes. Hernan died on the bridge, but Dante survives, and every waking moment since that fateful moment, he's been plotting his revenge.

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A family has a dinner outside in Fast X.

After 22 years, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) still drives muscle cars, drinks Coronas, and protects his family. In Fast X, Dom and his crew are no longer on the run. Dom still lives in his Los Angeles home with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and his son, Brian (Leo Abelo Perry). His crew still comes over for family dinner as they toast to the successful lives they've built for themselves.

The peace soon ends, however, with the arrival of Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the son of Brazilian drug lord Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), who died at the hands of Dom's crew at the end of Fast Five. Dante is hell-bent on making Dom suffer, so he attacks what matters most to the Fast & Furious hero: family. Fast X builds toward one final showdown between Dom and Dante that ends with a huge cliffhanger. Let's break down the Fast X ending below.