UPDATED MAY 27: Universal’s Fast & Furious 6 scored a rip-roaring $120m over a record four-day Memorial Day weekend at the North American box office that also set a new benchmark for a US holiday weekend.

The sixth entry in Universal’s beloved franchise, reinvigorated by the stunning global success of its 2011 predecessor, fuelled a stunning session that saw the top 12 films generate approximately $310.6m to climb 41% against the four-day Memorial Day weekend 2012.

Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson were in unstoppable form as they returned to action in the thriller. The North American haul combined with the $197m international score for a $317m worldwide tally after two weekends.

Director Justin Lin, who has shot four episodes, makes his final contribution to the franchise and could not have asked for a better start to his swansong as he makes way for James Wan to direct the seventh episode. This was the best launch for a Fast And Furious film, beating the $86.2m high-water mark set by Fast Five in April 2011.

Fast & Furious 6 left the competition in the dust as Warner Bros’ series finale The Hangover Part III trailed far behind in second place on $63m following the latter’s Thursday debut.

The Hangover Part III reunites the Wolf Pack members Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis and earned dire reviews. It opened well below the second instalment’s $85.9m in May 2011.

Star Trek Into Darkness slipped to number three to reach $155.8m through Paramount after two weekends and Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3 ranks fifth after four on $372.4m.

Fox debuted Blue Sky Studios’ animation Epic in fourth place on $42.6m, while Warner Bros’ Cannes opener The Great Gatsby has reached $117.7m after three weekends to reach $202.9m worldwide factoring in the $85.2m international running total.

SPC launched Before Midnight on $322,000 from five venues for a spectacular $64,400 average and also debuted Fill The Void on $79,200 from three for a $26,400 average.

Focus opened the Alex Gibney documentary We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks on $24,300 from four for a $8,575 average.

Next weekend’s wide releases are Sony’s Will Smith-Jaden Smith father-son act After Earth and Lionsgate’s thriller Now You See Me.

Estimated Top 10 North America May 24-27 2013
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date
1 (-) Fast & Furious 6 (Universal) UPI $98.5m $120m
2 (-) The Hangover Part III (Warner Bros) WBPI $51.2m $63m
3 (1) Star Trek Into Darkness (Paramount) PPI $47m $155.8m
4 (-) Epic (Fox) Fox Int’l $42.6m –
5 (2) Iron Man 3 (Buena Vista/Marvel) WDSMPI $24.4m $372.4m
6 (3) The Great Gatsby (Warner Bros-Village Roadshow) WBPI $17m $117.7m
7 (8) Mud (Roadside Attractions) FilmNation $2.4m $15m
8 (5) The Croods (DreamWorks Animation-Fox) Fox Int’l $1.62m $179.6m
9 (6) 42 (Warner Bros/Legendary) $1.61m 91.4m
10 (7) Oblivion (Universal) UPI $1.1m $87.6m

 

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