'Furious 7' races past expectations, scores franchise best with $143.6 million weekend

The high-octane "Furious 7" peeled out of the gates in its opening weekend, picking up a stunning $143.6 million from 4,004 locations to easily top the domestic box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The expectation-shattering sum is a franchise best for the $190 million Universal Pictures film.

"Furious 7" also unseats previous April record-holder "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," which opened to $95 million on the same weekend last year.

As the most ambitious release in Universal's history, "Furious 7" opened on 10,500 screens in 63 territories internationally as well.

Dedicated to the late Paul Walker, the film has the roads to itself until Disney and Marvel's "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" hits theaters on May 1.