'F9' Leads Global Box Office With $162.4 Million Over The Weekend

"F9" did well at the global box office over the weekend.

The ninth installment of Vin Diesel's "Fast and Furious" movie series made $162.4 million in eight foreign markets and became the No. 1 movie in the world this weekend. It made $135.6 million from China alone, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

"F9" also premiered in South Korea, Russia, Hong Kong and the Middle East territories. Ticket sales for "F9" were as strong as pre-pandemic times. In fact, it's the biggest showing in the pandemic era for a Hollywood title, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Overall, the franchise has garnered over $6 billion in global ticket sales, as per Comscore. "F9" is also the first Hollywood movie to open north of $100 million since "Avengers: Endgame" over two years ago. It also achieved an IMAX pandemic era best for its opening weekend with $14 million and has become Universal's third-biggest IMAX international opening weekend after "Jurassic World" and "Fate of the Furious."

"F9" director Justin Lin told EW that the last installment of the "Fast and Furious" is "the best out of the entire franchise."

In the movie, Sung Kang's character Han returned to the surprise of the fans. His comeback was confirmed when the production dropped the official trailer for "F9" in January. According to Diesel, Han, who was introduced in the third movie "Tokyo Drift," is "an integral character" in the franchise.

"If you remember, he's kind of responsible for the away years of Dom Toretto. He's the one doing jobs with him in Mexico, he's the only one who knows where Dom is, and in many ways is the bridge for Dom when Dom comes back in Tokyo Drift. So there's something very special and magical about the Han character," Diesel explained.

"When you see the movie you'll feel it, but I believe at the core it's another testament to, not only don't turn your back on family, but don't give up on family. Without giving away the plot, that's the theme: don't give up on family."

John Cena joined the cast as Diesel's long-lost brother and nemesis. "The Last Witch Hunter" star said Cena was perfect for the role because he "checked all the boxes."

"He had an energy that provoked a kind of curiosity about all of the Torettos. He just felt right. And he did a terrific job," Diesel said of Cena.

"F9" will be released in the United States on June 25.