'Furious 7' Premiere Sets Record For Thursday Box Office; Will Final Paul Walker Movie Be Franchise's Biggest Film?

“Furious 7” raced away from the starting line Thursday. The latest installment in the popular “Fast and Furious” franchise is on its way to a huge opening weekend after a big first night at the box office. During Thursday’s pre-opening night premiere, the film raked in more than $15 million – a figure that could indicate that “Furious 7” will be the franchise’s most successful movie yet.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Furious 7” made $15.8 million Thursday night during its North American debut – the film gets a worldwide wide release starting Friday. That’s the biggest Thursday night box office total since “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” in November. It is also the biggest Thursday night total of any movie in the “Fast and Furious” series, surpassing the $6.5 million brought in by “Fast and Furious 6” two years ago.

The hype surrounding “Furious 7” could lead to the film becoming the franchise’s all-time highest grossing film. “Furious 7” will be the last movie featuring the late Paul Walker – who was killed in a car accident in 2013 – and will reunite actors Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson and Michelle Rodriguez.

The massive Thursday night total has the movie primed to easily exceed $100 million for its opening weekend as it looks to pass “Fast and Furious 6” – at $238 million – as the series’ most successful installment. Each “Fast and Furious” movie seems to reach a bigger audience, with the past three movies each breaking the franchise record – an unusual trend for franchises as large as “Fast and Furious.”

Watch the trailer for “Furious 7” below: