"Fast 8" has a record-breaking opening weekend at the box office

Atlanta-filmed "Fate of the Furious," the eighth in the high-speed, high-performing "Fast and the Furious" series, zoomed to the top of the box office charts in its opening weekend. "

With a haul exceeding $500 million, the action movie directed by F. Gary Gray left the previous record holder, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," in the proverbial rearview window.

"Thank you for the support," Gray posted via social media.

MORE: Eight things we learned at the "Fast 8" red carpet screening

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