This is a weekend to remember for Universal, thanks to a huge opening for Fast & Furious. The fourth movie in the action series smashed all projections with a $72.5 million opening, according to the studio's Sunday estimate, making it the biggest weekend ever in April by the small matter of $30 million (Anger Management used to hold the record with a modest-looking $42.2 million -- see full list of April weekends). It's also Universal's biggest non-holiday opening, and the biggest weekend of the year so far. Friday's $30 million day is the biggest day in 2009, and also a record for April (see list).

Elsewhere, the chart had a more familiar look. Adventureland opened with about $6 million, which was in line with expectations. Monsters vs. Aliens fell a decent 43.5% to $33.5 million in its second weekend. Sunshine Cleaning continued its steady expansion with a first weekend in the top 10. Its $1.9 million from 479 theaters suggests it could manage another expansion before it is finished.

- Weekend Estimates

Date posted: 2009-04-05