The 2009 film Fast & Furious (also known as Fast & Furious 4

) and proved that spring releases could achieve "summer blockbuster" numbers.

: While cars remained the primary vehicle for action, the film deepened the series' focus on

Despite receiving mixed-to-negative reviews from critics—who often cited a thin plot and reliance on CGI (particularly in the tunnel chase sequences)—the film was a massive commercial success. FictionMachine. Box Office Records : It grossed over $360 million worldwide

, becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise at the time. Industry Impact