Fast and Furious races to the top of the box office

The adrenaline-fueled racing movie "Fast & Furious" exceeded all expectations when it grossed an astonishing $30.1 million on its opening day, EW.com is reporting. The fourth installment of the popular "The Fast and the Furious" franchise was estimated by EW pundits to gross a total of $41 million for its opening weekend, but now looks set to exceed the $60 million mark if it can hold on to its Friday momentum. Box office analysis site Box Office Mojo reports that the first three films generated over $334 million at theaters in the U.S and Canada alone. "The Fast and the Furious" grossed $40.1 million in its opening weekend in 2001, while the sequel, "2 Fast, 2 Furious" earned $50.5 million – "Fast & Furious" looks like it might have the mileage to outpace them both. The film reunites the original's cast of Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster, which should have loyal fans swarming back to the theaters. If "Fast & Furious" keeps burning rubber at this speed, it could set a new record for best April opening ever, if it can top the $42.2 million benchmark set by "Anger Management" in 2003. Elsewhere on the week's chart, Miramax comedy "Adventureland" was left in the dust by "Fast & Furious," with a limp $2.2 million on its first day of release. It missed a spot in the top five, debuting at #6 behind its racing rival, as well as sophomore holdover "Monsters vs. Aliens," Lionsgate spookfest "The Haunting in Connecticut," fellow comedy "I Love You, Man," and the Nicolas Cage thriller "Knowing."