Ahead of its final ride, the Fast and Furious franchise drops into theaters this May with Fast X the penultimate movie in the saga. This action-packed sequel pits Dom's crew up against yet another foe from their past in the shape of Hernan Reyes' son Dante (Jason Momoa) who is working in tandem with returning baddie, Cipher (Charlize Theron). This is the 12th entry into the Fast series which means there's likely a rewatch on the cards for many fans. But the question is; what's the best order to watch the Fast and Furious movies? Have no fear. We've got you covered with our breakdown of two ways to tackle a Fast marathon!
Fast and Furious Movies in Release Date Order
Watch the movies in this order if you enjoy the element of surprise when it comes to the story, as the Fast Saga is certainly packed with plot twists galore.
1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Where it all began. Inspired by a magazine article, Rob Cohen directed the movie that first introduced audiences to Dom Toretto and Brian O'Conner's world of street racing. This mash of action and cars was a box-office hit and kickstarted the careers of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
2. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster are absent for this first sequel with the spotlight landing on Walker's former cop Brian. John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood) takes the directorial reins and steers this frenzied follow-up into fun Floridian terrain.
3. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Following 2 Fast 2 Furious's lackluster box office haul, Universal opted to re-spin the series toward a younger demographic. With a fresh location and a new central character, Lucas Black's street savvy teen Sean Boswell leads the franchise into a new chapter.
4. Fast & Furious (2009)
The family is back. For this series reboot, Diesel, Rodriguez, Brewster, and Walker all return. The stakes are raised on all-fronts, with a bigger budget allowing the series to transition into blockbuster realms of action. A wise move as it pulled in $360 million worldwide.
5. Fast Five (2011)
Fast Five marks a confident push further into big-budget, explosive action. Gone are the days of quaint street racing as director Justin Lin ramps things up, enlisting additional star power in the form of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
6. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
Director Lin and screenwriter Chris Morgan returned for the sixth outing, which broadened the franchise's scope to incorporate more global locations. This formula once again proved a hit as it rang up $788 million at the box office.
7. Furious 7 (2015)
Due to Walker's tragic death mid-shooting, director James Wan reworked the script to wrap up Brian's storyline in a way to honor the actor. The subsequent film was a moving tribute to Walker and marked a financial first for the franchise, grossing $1.5 billion at the box office.
8. The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Another smash hit, Fate of the Furious shifts focus as Diesel's character fully embraces the spotlight for a new chapter in the series without Paul Walker. It continues the series' commitment to shooting around the world and brought in more A-list talent with Charlize Theron cast as a new franchise baddie.
9. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
In response to the overwhelming praise for Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham's characters, Universal greenlit a spin-off focusing on a separate mission from the main series directed by John Wick helmer David Leitch.
10. F9 (2021)
The first movie in the saga not written by Chris Morgan. This 9th entry into the main continuity boasts the longest running time of any Fast movie at 143 minutes, which should come as no surprise considering the size of its ensemble cast.
Fast and Furious Movies in Chronological Order
Watch the movies in chronological timeline order if you prefer to follow the story as the characters experience it within the Fast universe.
1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Undercover cop Brian O'Conner infiltrates the world of illegal street racing to take down a hijacking ring led by charismatic Dominic Toretto.
2. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Evading capture from the FBI, Brian O'Conner teams up with his childhood friend, Roman Pearce, in Miami to bring down a powerful drug lord.
3. Fast & Furious (2009)
Brian O'Conner and Dominic Toretto join forces to avenge the murder of a Fast family member while dismantling a dangerous drug trafficking operation in Mexico.
4. Fast Five (2011)
The crew assembles in Rio de Janeiro, planning an intricate heist to steal millions from corrupt businessman Hernan Reyes while evading a tenacious federal agent, DSS agent Luke Hobbs.
5. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
The team reunites in London to help Hobbs take down skilled mercenary Owen Shaw and his crew while discovering that Letty is still alive and working with the enemy.
6. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
American teenager Sean Boswell finds himself immersed in the underground world of drift racing in Tokyo, where he learns through his mentor Han the true meaning of loyalty.
7. Furious 7 (2015)
The team faces Deckard Shaw, a vengeful assassin seeking retribution for his brother's death, while they are also tasked with preventing a coveted computer program, God's Eye, from falling into the wrong hands.
8. The Fate of the Furious (2017)
The crew grapples with betrayal as Dom is manipulated by Cipher, a mysterious cyber-terrorist, forcing them to confront their most dangerous challenge yet.
9. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
Reluctant allies Hobbs and Shaw team up to save the world from a genetically enhanced super-soldier with a deadly virus.
10. F9 (2021)
The crew reunites to stop another global threat, this time one instigated by Dom and Mia's estranged brother Jakob, who seeks revenge with the help of Cipher.
Choosing the best order to watch the Fast and Furious movies
Both offer a lot of fun, because, let's face it – you're watching ten action-packed movies! The release date order will let you experience surprises and plot twists aplenty, as many retcons occurred throughout production. The chronological order puts you inside the characters' world and gives you their experience of the events of the movies. Whichever path you choose, you'll be ready for Fast X.
Fast X premieres in theatres on May 19! See it at Regal.
