The Fast and Furious Franchise in Order

Introduction

The “Fast and Furious” franchise began as a film series about illegal street racing and has since transformed into a global phenomenon, blending high-octane action, heartfelt family bonds, and astonishing heists. What started in 2001 with an underground racing scene has expanded into an interconnected saga filled with fast cars, daring missions, and larger-than-life characters. Here’s a breakdown of each film in the franchise and how they contributed to its enduring success.

1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

The movie that kicked it all off, The Fast and the Furious, introduced audiences to the world of street racing and undercover cops. Directed by Rob Cohen, the film stars Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner, an undercover LAPD officer tasked with infiltrating the world of illegal street racers led by Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel. With its thrilling races and car culture appeal, the film quickly became a box office hit, laying the foundation for future instalments.

2. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

This sequel followed Brian O'Conner as he moves to Miami and teams up with a new partner, Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), to take down a drug lord. Directed by John Singleton, the film moves away from Los Angeles but continues the franchise's focus on cars, races, and daring stunts. While Vin Diesel does not appear in this instalment, the film solidified Paul Walker's role as a central figure in the series.

3. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Tokyo Drift diverges from the core characters of the previous films and takes the audience to Tokyo, where the focus is on the art of drift racing. Directed by Justin Lin, this film introduced audiences to new characters like Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) and Han Lue (Sung Kang). Though the timeline initially seems detached from the main saga, future films tie it back into the overarching storyline. The film's focus on drifting was a refreshing departure, adding a new dimension to the car culture.

4. Fast & Furious (2009)

With the return of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, Fast & Furious reunited the original cast and marked a shift in tone for the franchise. Directed again by Justin Lin, this instalment moved away from street racing as the primary focus and leaned more into heist and action elements. The concept of “family” began to take centre stage, becoming a thematic staple for the films going forward. This film also served as a bridge to the escalating global stakes that would dominate future films.

5. Fast Five (2011)

Often considered one of the best in the franchise, Fast Five took the series to new heights by transforming it into a full-blown action blockbuster. Directed by Justin Lin, the film saw Dom, Brian, and their crew attempting a massive heist in Rio de Janeiro while being pursued by DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). With intense action scenes, epic car chases, and the introduction of new characters, Fast Five breathed new life into the franchise and established it as more than just a car-centric series.

6. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

Fast & Furious 6 took the adrenaline further by pitting Dom's crew against a team of mercenaries led by Owen Shaw (Luke Evans). Directed by Justin Lin, the stakes were higher than ever, and the action more explosive, with jaw-dropping sequences like the famous tank chase on a highway. This film continued the saga’s evolution into action-heist territory while solidifying the importance of family and loyalty.

7. Furious 7 (2015)

Tragically, during the production of Furious 7, Paul Walker died in a car accident, leaving fans mourning the loss of one of the franchise's core characters. Directed by James Wan, the film completed with a mix of body doubles, CGI, and heartfelt tributes to Walker. The plot focused on the crew's quest for revenge against Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who was introduced as a villain seeking payback for his brother's defeat in the previous film. Furious 7 was not only an action spectacle but also an emotional farewell to Paul Walker, punctuated by the iconic closing scene and the song "See You Again."

8. The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Directed by F. Gary Gray, The Fate of the Furious took the series in an unexpected direction when Dom Toretto seemingly betrays his family by aligning with the cyber-terrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron). With more globe-trotting action, submarine chases, and tense family drama, the eighth instalment showcased the franchise's ability to continually up the stakes while adding new layers to its central characters. The film also solidified the rivalry-turned-ally dynamic between Hobbs and Deckard Shaw.

9. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Hobbs & Shaw was a spin-off that followed Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) as they teamed up to stop a cyber-genetically enhanced villain played by Idris Elba. Directed by David Leitch, this film leaned even more into the superhero-like action sequences and buddy-cop dynamics, offering a fresh take on the franchise while staying connected to the larger world of Fast & Furious.

10. F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

Directed by Justin Lin, F9 brought back fan-favourite characters and continued the franchise's trend of over-the-top action. Dom and his crew face off against a new villain, Jakob Toretto (John Cena), Dom’s estranged brother. With cars going to space and increasingly extravagant stunts, F9 leaned into the absurd while maintaining the emotional core of family and loyalty.

11. Fast X (2023)

Fast X is the latest instalment in the franchise, bringing together nearly all the surviving members of the Toretto family for another high-stakes adventure. This chapter delves deeper into the past actions of Dom's crew, while once again raising the stakes with a new global threat.

What’s Next for the Fast and Furious Franchise?

The franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Following Fast X, a sequel is expected to conclude the saga. While the series has evolved dramatically from its humble street-racing beginnings to a multi-billion-dollar blockbuster franchise, it remains firmly rooted in themes of loyalty, family, and fast cars.

The Fast & Furious saga, now over two decades old, has become more than just a film series—it’s a cultural milestone. Its evolution from street racing to globe-trotting, high-adrenaline action has captivated audiences worldwide. But beyond the thrilling car chases and explosive set pieces, the series’ enduring appeal lies in its portrayal of family and the bonds that hold people together, no matter the circumstances.

Fast and Furious Franchise: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1: What is the order of the Fast and Furious movies?
The Fast and Furious movies in order of release are:

1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
2. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
3. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
4. Fast & Furious (2009)
5. Fast Five (2011)
6. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
7. Furious 7 (2015)
8. The Fate of the Furious (2017)
9. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
10. F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
11. Fast X (2023)

2: How does Tokyo Drift fit into the Fast and Furious timeline?
Although Tokyo Drift was released as the third movie in the series, it actually takes place later in the chronological timeline. It fits between Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7. This is due to the reintroduction of the character Han, whose storyline is revisited and explained in subsequent films.

3: What is the main theme of the Fast and Furious franchise?
While the franchise initially focused on illegal street racing, it has evolved to emphasise themes such as family, loyalty, redemption, and trust. The films now incorporate action-heist elements, global espionage, and larger-than-life adventures while always maintaining the core message about the importance of family bonds.

4: Who are the main characters in the franchise?
The main characters throughout the franchise include:

• Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel): The leader of the crew, known for his focus on family.
• Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker): A former cop turned street racer and close friend of Dom.
• Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez): Dom's love interest and a skilled driver.
• Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson): Brian's childhood friend and comic relief.
• Tej Parker (Ludacris): A technical expert and member of the crew.
• Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson): A DSS agent who initially hunts Dom's crew but later joins them.
• Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham): A former antagonist who becomes an ally.

5: What happened to Paul Walker in the middle of the franchise?
Paul Walker, who played Brian O'Conner, tragically passed away in a car accident in 2013 during the production of Furious 7. His brothers and CGI technology were used to complete his scenes in the film. The franchise paid tribute to him with a touching final scene, and his character is depicted as retiring to focus on his family in the storyline.

6: How did the franchise transition from street racing to global action films?
The franchise shifted focus with Fast Five (2011), which marked the transition from street racing to large-scale heists and action sequences. The film’s success showed that audiences were drawn to the crew's global escapades and elaborate stunts, resulting in the franchise evolving into a blend of action, heists, and even espionage.

7: Are there any spin-offs from the Fast and Furious series?
Yes. The first official spin-off is Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), focusing on Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) as they team up to take on a new threat. This film explores the characters outside the main storyline and introduces new dynamics.

8: How many more Fast and Furious movies will there be?
After Fast X (2023), the main saga is expected to conclude with one or two more films. There are also discussions about further spin-offs and expansions of the universe, though no definitive timeline has been confirmed.

9: What are some of the most iconic cars featured in the Fast and Furious franchise?

The franchise is known for showcasing a variety of legendary cars, including:

• 1994 Toyota Supra MK IV (Brian’s car in The Fast and the Furious)
• 1970 Dodge Charger R/T (Dom’s signature car)
• Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (Brian’s car in 2 Fast 2 Furious)
• Mazda RX-7 (Han's car in Tokyo Drift)
• Lykan Hypersport (featured in Furious 7)

10. What are some of the most memorable stunts in the franchise?

The Fast and Furious franchise is known for its over-the-top stunts. Some of the most memorable include:

• The safe heist scene from Fast Five.
• The tank chase in Fast & Furious 6.
• Jumping between skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi with a Lykan Hypersport in Furious 7.
• The submarine chase in The Fate of the Furious.
• Cars going to space in F9.