the latest installment in the fast and furious franchise has smashed box office records for the month of april .
it ranks ninth among the top ten openings in cinema history with audiences flocking to paul walker in one of his final roles before his death in 2013 .
analysts had estimated that it would open in the $ 115 million range , but it managed to earn almost $ 30m more .
walker was killed in a single-car accident when his friend roger rodas 's red 2005 porsche carrera gt hit a lamppost and burst into flames .