In a positive turn for movie studios, Universal’s Fast & Furious 9 has grossed $7.1 million from 3,100 theaters on Thursday, which is the best opening to date during the pandemic. The film expanded to 4,179 theaters today, according to Deadline.

With the amount that F9 has made in one day, it is estimated that F9 will gross around $60M+ now, or possibly even closer to $70M. F9 even did more business last night than Hobbs & Shaw did in its Thursday previews in 2019, which were $5.8M at 3,400 theaters.

F9 is directed and co-scripted by Justin Lin. The film stars Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, as well as Jordana Brewster and continues the long-running saga. 

Many films haven’t done the best during the pandemic, but F9’s success is giving studios hope. Before F9,  A Quiet Place Part II had the record opening since mid-March 2020 with $57.1M over four days during the Memorial Day holiday frame. The Fast franchise is known for being a summer box office boost, as 2015’s Furious 7 holds multiple records for the franchise including best domestic Thursday previews of $15.8M and an opening weekend of $147.1M.

F9 Thursday previews also passed 2011’s Fast Five ($3.7M) and 2009’s Fast and Furious ($1.8M), but did not surpass the better performing 2017 installment Fate of the Furious ($10.4M) or 2013’s Fast and Furious 6 ($7.5M).

We’ll be keeping track of F9’s weekend numbers, so stay tuned for more updates on the film’s box office total.