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The Fast and Furious franchise has become one of the most popular and enduring film series of the 21st century. Since the release of the first film in 2001, the series has grown to encompass nine main saga films and several spin-off movies. With so many instalments, it can be confusing to know which order to watch them in. This article will provide a clear guide to the Fast and Furious movies in order, including both the main saga and spin-off films.
The main saga of the Fast and Furious movies in order follows the adventures of street racer turned international spy Dominic Toretto and his crew of car enthusiasts as they take on dangerous missions and outwit their enemies. The series has evolved from its humble roots as a street racing movie to become a global phenomenon, with each film featuring bigger stunts, more explosions, and new characters. In addition to the main saga, the franchise has also spawned several spin-off films, including Hobbs and Shaw, which follows the adventures of fan-favourite characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw.
For fans of the franchise, it can be challenging to watch Fast and Furious movies in order. Should you watch Fast and Furious movies in order they were released or in chronological order? This article, Fast and Furious movies in order, will provide a clear guide to the different viewing options, as well as insights into the cast and characters, production details, box office performance, and critical reception of each film.
Key Takeaways
- The Fast and Furious movies in order, include nine prominent saga films and several spin-off movies.
- The series follows the adventures of street racer turned international spy Dominic Toretto and his crew of car enthusiasts.
- This article provides a clear guide to the different viewing options, as well as insights into the cast and characters, production details, box office performance, and critical reception of each film.
Fast and Furious Movies in Order: The Main Saga
The main saga of the Fast and Furious franchise consists of nine movies that follow the adventures of Dominic Toretto and his crew. This section will provide a brief overview of each movie in the main saga.
The Fast and the Furious
Released in 2001, “The Fast and the Furious” introduces us to the world of street racing and the characters that populate it. The movie follows undercover LAPD officer Brian O’Conner as he infiltrates a gang of street racers led by Dominic Toretto. The movie features high-speed chases, intense action sequences, and a memorable cast of characters.
2 Fast 2 Furious
“2 Fast 2 Furious,” released in 2003, sees Brian O’Conner team up with childhood friend Roman Pearce to take down a drug lord in Miami. The movie features even more high-speed chases and action sequences than its predecessor, as well as a new cast of characters.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
“The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” released in 2006, takes place in Japan and follows high school student Sean Boswell as he becomes involved in the underground world of drift racing. The movie features a new cast of characters and breathtaking racing sequences.
Fast & Furious
“Fast & Furious,” released in 2009, reunites Brian O’Conner and Dominic Toretto as they team up to take down a drug cartel. The movie marks the return of the original cast and features some of the most thrilling action sequences in the franchise.
Fast Five
“Fast Five,” released in 2011, sees Dominic Toretto and his crew pulling off a daring heist in Rio de Janeiro. The movie features an all-star cast and some of the most impressive action sequences in the franchise.
Fast & Furious 6
“Fast & Furious 6,” released in 2013, sees Dominic Toretto and his crew teaming up with Agent Hobbs to take down a dangerous criminal organization. The movie features some of the most intense action sequences in the franchise, as well as a memorable new villain.
Furious 7
“Furious 7,” released in 2015, sees Dominic Toretto and his crew facing off against a vengeful terrorist who seeks to destroy them. The movie features breathtaking action sequences, emotional performances, and a touching tribute to late actor Paul Walker.
The Fate of the Furious
“The Fate of the Furious,” released in 2017, sees Dominic Toretto turning against his own crew when a mysterious woman blackmails him. The movie features some of the most spectacular action sequences in the franchise, as well as a surprising twist.
F9: The Fast Saga
“F9: The Fast Saga,” released in 2021, sees Dominic Toretto and his crew facing off against a dangerous new enemy who has ties to Dominic’s past. The movie features some of the most over-the-top action sequences in the franchise, as well as a surprising return of a beloved character.
Spin-Off Films
The Fast and Furious franchise has expanded beyond its main series with the release of spin-off films. These movies focus on specific characters from the Fast and Furious universe and offer a different perspective on the action-packed world of street racing and heists.
Hobbs & Shaw
Released in 2019, Hobbs & Shaw is the first spin-off film in the Fast and Furious franchise. The movie centers around Luke Hobbs (played by Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (played by Jason Statham) as they team up to stop a cyber-genetically enhanced terrorist from unleashing a deadly virus.
Hobbs & Shaw received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the chemistry between Johnson and Statham, while others criticized the film’s over-the-top action sequences. Despite the mixed reception, the movie was a commercial success, grossing over $760 million worldwide.
Overall, Hobbs & Shaw offers an entertaining addition to the Fast and Furious universe, with its own unique style and tone. Fans of the franchise will enjoy seeing two of their favorite characters team up for a high-octane adventure.
Chronological Fast and Furious Movies in Order
Series Timeline
The Fast and Furious franchise is known for its high-speed car chases, adrenaline-pumping action, and an ever-expanding cast of characters. With nine movies released so far, the series has become a cultural phenomenon, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
To fully understand the events of the Fast and Furious movies, it is essential to watch them in chronological order. The series timeline starts with the prequel, “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” and ends with the latest installment, “F9: The Fast Saga.”
Here is the chronological order of the Fast and Furious movies:
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
- Fast & Furious (2009)
- Fast Five (2011)
- Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
- Furious 7 (2015)
- The Fate of the Furious (2017)
- F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
Watching the movies in this order will help viewers understand the progression of the story and the development of the characters. It is interesting to see how the series has evolved from a simple story about street racing to a global adventure that involves high-tech gadgets, international espionage, and even outer space.
Overall, the Fast and Furious movies are an exciting and entertaining series that continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Cast and Characters
Recurring Characters
The “Fast and Furious” franchise has a core group of characters that have appeared in multiple films. Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto, is the leader of the group and has appeared in every film except for “2 Fast 2 Furious.” Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, is another key member of the group and appears in seven of the films before his untimely death. Michelle Rodriguez’s character, Letty Ortiz, is Dom’s love interest and has appeared in six of the films.
Other recurring characters include Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pearce, Ludacris Tej Parker, Jordana Brewster’s Mia Toretto, and Sung Kang’s Han Lue. These characters have all appeared in multiple films and have become fan favourites.
New Additions
With each new film, the “Fast and Furious” franchise introduces new characters to the mix. Some of the notable new additions include Dwayne Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs, who first appeared in “Fast Five” and has since become a major player in the franchise. Jason Statham’s character, Deckard Shaw, was introduced in “Fast & Furious 6” and has since become a recurring character.
In “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” the franchise introduced new characters played by Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby. Elba played the villainous Brixton Lore, while Kirby played Hattie Shaw, Deckard’s sister.
Overall, the “Fast and Furious” franchise has a large and diverse cast of characters that continue to entertain audiences with their high-octane adventures.
Production Insights
Directors and Writers
The Fast and Furious franchise has seen a number of directors and writers over the years. The first film was directed by Rob Cohen, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Gary Scott Thompson and Erik Bergquist. The second film, 2 Fast 2 Furious, was directed by John Singleton, who also directed Boyz n the Hood and Shaft. The third film, Tokyo Drift, was directed by Justin Lin, who would go on to direct four more films in the franchise.
After Lin’s departure from the franchise, James Wan directed the seventh film, Furious 7, and F. Gary Gray directed the eighth film, The Fate of the Furious. The most recent film, Fast & Furious 9, was directed by Justin Lin, who returned to the franchise after a hiatus.
The writers for the franchise have also changed over the years. Chris Morgan has written the screenplay for every film since Tokyo Drift, while Gary Scott Thompson has only received writing credits for the first film and the fourth film, Fast & Furious.
Filming Locations
The Fast and Furious franchise has been filmed in many locations around the world, including the United States, Japan, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. The first film was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, while the second film was filmed in Miami. Tokyo Drift was filmed in Tokyo, Japan, while the fourth film, Fast & Furious, was filmed in Los Angeles, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
The fifth film, Fast Five, was filmed in Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Atlanta, Georgia. The sixth film, Fast & Furious 6, was filmed in London, Spain, and the Canary Islands. Furious 7 was filmed in Atlanta, Abu Dhabi, and Los Angeles, while The Fate of the Furious was filmed in Cuba, Iceland, and New York City.
Fast & Furious 9 was primarily filmed in England, Thailand, and Georgia. The franchise has always been known for its high-octane action and thrilling car chases, and the filmmakers have gone to great lengths to capture these scenes in some of the most exciting locations around the world.
Box Office Performance
The Fast and Furious franchise has been a massive success at the box office, with each installment grossing more than the previous one. The series has become a global phenomenon, with fans eagerly anticipating each new release.
The first movie in the franchise, The Fast and the Furious, was released in 2001 and grossed $207 million worldwide. The sequel, 2 Fast 2 Furious, was released in 2003 and grossed $236 million worldwide. The third movie, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, was released in 2006 and grossed $158 million worldwide.
However, it was the fourth movie, Fast & Furious, which was released in 2009, that really kicked off the franchise’s box office success. It grossed $363 million worldwide, more than double the gross of the previous movie. The fifth movie, Fast Five, released in 2011, grossed $626 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie in the franchise at that time.
The sixth and seventh movies, Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7, were released in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and both grossed over $1 billion worldwide. The eighth movie, The Fate of the Furious, released in 2017, grossed $1.2 billion worldwide.
Overall, the Fast and Furious franchise has grossed over $5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. With two more movies scheduled for release in 2023 and 2024, it’s safe to say that the franchise’s box office success is far from over.
Critical Reception and Awards
The Fast and Furious franchise has been a mixed bag when it comes to critical reception. While some of the movies have been praised for their thrilling action sequences and diverse cast, others have been criticized for their lack of depth and overreliance on spectacle.
The first film in the series, The Fast and the Furious (2001), received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film’s high-octane action and charismatic performances, others criticized it for its thin plot and one-dimensional characters.
The sequels that followed, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), received similarly mixed reviews. However, the series began to gain more critical acclaim with the release of Fast & Furious (2009), which was praised for its return to the series’ roots and its focus on character development.
The franchise’s critical success continued with the release of Fast Five (2011) and Fast & Furious 6 (2013), both of which received positive reviews for their thrilling action and well-developed characters.
Fast & Furious 7 (2015) was also well-received by critics, who praised the film’s emotional resonance following the death of actor Paul Walker.
The most recent installment in the series, The Fate of the Furious (2017), received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film’s action sequences and performances, others criticized it for its convoluted plot and lack of emotional depth.
Despite the mixed critical reception, the Fast and Furious franchise has been a box office juggernaut, grossing over $5 billion worldwide. The series has also received several awards and nominations, including two BMI Film Music Awards for composer Brian Tyler, and a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Action.
Future Installments
As of March 2024, there are no official announcements regarding the release of future installments in the Fast and Furious franchise. However, there have been rumors and speculations about the potential for more movies.
One possibility is a spin-off film centered around Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs. Johnson has expressed interest in continuing his role in the franchise and has even hinted at the possibility of a solo film.
Another potential project is a crossover between the Fast and Furious franchise and the Jurassic Park franchise. This idea was first teased in a post-credits scene in the 2017 film “The Fate of the Furious,” where it was revealed that a character played by Jason Statham had a connection to the dinosaur-filled world of Jurassic Park.
It is also possible that the franchise could continue with a new generation of characters, as hinted at in the 2019 spin-off film “Hobbs and Shaw.” The film introduced new characters played by Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby, who could potentially lead their own Fast and Furious movies.
Overall, while there are no concrete plans for future Fast and Furious movies, fans of the franchise can continue to speculate and anticipate what could come next.
