F9: The Fast Saga was released in a handful of international territories over the weekend, and with an impressive haul of around $160 million (we're still waiting for the final figures), the Fast & Furious franchise has now passed $6 billion at the global box office.
Earning $105 million in China alone, it looks like this could be the movie that puts the theatrical experience back on the right track. After over a year of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is hopefully going to be the year when multiplexes recover and we can all enjoy seeing F9 on the biggest screen possible.
There was good news for IMAX this weekend too because F9 delivered $14 million across 800 IMAX screens in China, the Middle East, Russia, and South Korea. Despite opening in a limited number of markets, the movie drove IMAX to its biggest opening weekend for a Hollywood film since December 2019 and its second-biggest international opening weekend ever in May.
"Summer blockbuster season has arrived with the strong debut of 'F9,' and it's clear there is healthy pent-up demand among global audiences as big, highly anticipated Hollywood movies return to theaters," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. "'Universal's bold strategy to launch the release of "F9" in China and jump start the summer clearly paid off, and the early success of the film bodes well for the continued rebound of the global box office."
F9: The Fast Saga has earned mostly positive reviews from the handful of critics who have seen it thus far, and it sounds like a fun, crazy ride. Some plot spoilers have, unfortunately, started doing the rounds online, but that's to be expected with many of this year's blockbusters thanks to staggered release dates.
F9: The Fast Saga is set to be released in theaters on June 25.
Click on the "Next" button below to check out 10 upcoming
summer blockbusters we can't wait to see on the big screen!
10. Space Jam: A New Legacy
Look, we're pretty sure this won't be as good as the original, but it could still be a fun time.
The trailer certainly has its fair share of Easter Eggs, while LeBron James is definitely a fitting choice to follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan (who we're hoping makes a cameo appearance). The decision to throw in all those Warner Bros. cameos is a weird one, but if nothing else, it should mean that we'll need to see this in a theater in order to catch 'em all!
Visually, Space Jam: A New Legacy looks like a delight, and the effects used to freshen up the Looney Tunes characters is pretty great, even if it does mean the sequel might lack some of the first movie's charm.
Release Date: July 16
9. Snake Eyes
Look, there's no denying that Paramount's decision to unmask Snake Eyes and give him a voice is a controversial one among longtime G.I. Joe fans, but that's not reason enough to write this off.
It would be very hard to make the character a lead in his own movie if the lead didn't show his face or speak, and if this is laying the groundwork for him to lose his voice, then we probably shouldn't be too quick to judge! Throw in the fact that Henry Golding is great, and we have at least some faith in this one.
Plus, the action looks pretty epic, so if nothing else, we're banking on enjoying that side of things on the big screen.
Release Date: July 23
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The first two Conjuring movies were absolutely terrifying, and we're banking on this third instalment being every bit as scary. It feels like a long time since we last watched a horror movie that really left us reeling, and this franchise is definitely best enjoyed on the big screen.
Why? Well, it's hard to beat the immersion that comes with sitting in a packed theater and everyone being scared at the same time (the atmosphere is vastly better than sitting at home on your couch).
This third chapter in The Conjuring franchise will pick up with paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (the returning Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) looking into a criminal who claims he was possessed by the devil, so you know that things are going to get intense.
Release Date: June 4
7. Jungle Cruise
If you've been on this ride, then you probably either love it or hate it with every fibre of your being. However, this movie adaptation promises to be a far more exciting, enjoyable experience.
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt appear to have a tonne of chemistry together, and while we're not sure about Jack Whitehall (like "Jungle Cruise" in Disney World, you might have a love/hate relationship with his work as a comedian).
While this will be available on Disney+ the same day it's released in theaters, Jungle Cruise looks like a good old-fashioned family adventure that's best experienced on the big screen.
Release Date: July 30
6. Free Guy
This may be a movie Disney inherited from Fox, but we have a feeling Free Guy could be something special. Ryan Reynolds is always fun to watch in action, and the concept of him being an NPC in a video game world where destruction reigns is a genius one that could make for hilarious viewing.
There's also a solid supporting cast worth keeping an eye on, including Jodie Comer and Joe Keery.
The concept of the NPC (oh, that's non-player character for those of you who aren't into video games) Reynolds plays wanting to break out of the role he's stuck in is definitely original, so we'd be shocked if the movie drops the ball on that.
Release Date: August 13
5. A Quiet Place Part II
The reviews for A Quiet Place Part II have been extremely positive, and while we'll miss seeing John Krasinski in a lead role, he's still in the director's chair and the talented Cillian Murphy will be primarily sharing the screen with Emily Blunt this time around.
This franchise's premise remains something different for a horror franchise, and getting to spend more time in a world where sound-sensitive monsters have force humanity to remain silent or face certain death is really exciting.
While some critics have indicated that this sequel doesn't quite live up to what we saw in the first instalment, we're excited to see where Krasinski is taking this horror series, and can't imagine a better way of experiencing it than on the biggest screen we can find later this month.
Release Date: May 28
4. F9
Look, the Fast & Furious franchise isn't to everyone's liking, but when it comes to a big, dumb blockbuster, then there may not be a better choice than F9 this summer.
John Cena will take on the role of Dominic Torretto's brother and is the movie's lead villain, so you just know those themes of family and loyalty will be put to the forefront here. As if that's not enough, though, the one-time street racing series is going to take its leads into outer space.
Seriously! That and some downright bonkers stunts will make F9 the perfect choice of blockbuster to watch in a theater with your fellow Fast fans.
Release Date: June 25
3. Cruella
Look, some of you will be shocked to see this rank so high here, but we've seen Cruella, and rest assured it's a very special movie and could be the biggest surprise of the summer.
In our reaction, we described it as being like Joker meets The Devil Wears Prada, and we're sticking with it. This is unlike any of Disney's past live-action movies, and a killer soundtrack, insane fashion, and must-see performances from Emma Stone and Emma Thompson guarantee you'll walk away happy.
Did yet another Disney villain really need an origin story? Perhaps not, but the studio is doing something different with Cruella de Vil here, and could have a bold new franchise on their hands.
Release Date: May 28
2. Black Widow
While it's great that Black Widow will be available on Disney+ the same time it arrives in theaters, we've already experienced the MCU on the small screen this year. Now, it's time to watch one of these stories play out on a big one.
The last Marvel Studios movie to play in a theater was Spider-Man: Far From Home in July 2019, so it's been way too long since we've seen their trademark epic action play out on an IMAX screen...plus, you simply can't relive the excitement of waiting for a post-credits scene sitting at home!
It feels like we've seen a lot of footage from this one thanks to all those delays, but something tells us Kevin Feige and company still have some big surprises up their sleeve here.
Release Date: July 9
1. The Suicide Squad
James Gunn's DC Extended Universe debut is shaping up to be an absolute riot, with his unique take on Task Force X clearly the right direction to take this franchise in based on what we've seen from The Suicide Squad thus far.
Making Starro the lead villain is unexpected (but exciting), and there's a terrific ensemble here...who we're looking forward to being taken out in suitably inventive and gory ways.
With an R-Rating, Gunn's unique visual style (and what we're sure will be a phenomenal soundtrack). this has all the makings of 2021's best movie. We're excited to see who survives, and hopeful that this won't be the filmmaker's only visit to this shared world.
Release Date: August 8