Furious 7 Races To $15.8 Million Opening Night Box Office

Furious 7 is hot off the starting line, bringing in $15.8 million in late night showing on Thursday night. That more the doubles the late night earnings of Fast & Furious 6 ($6.5 million).

This makes Furious 7 the largest opening night release so far in 2015, and is significantly stronger showing than 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier (10.2 million), and makes it a threat to Captain America: The Winter Soldier's highest grossing April opening record. An opening weekend earning of at least $100 million is almost certain.

Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of "Fast & Furious 7." James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black. They are joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Russell. Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Michael Fottrell return to produce the film written by Chris Morgan.

Furious 7 opens April 3.