Introduction
The Fast and the Furious franchise has become a cultural phenomenon since its first installment in 2001. With nine movies and a spin-off, it can be overwhelming for new viewers to know where to start. As of 2023, here is the recommended order to watch the franchise to fully experience the story and characters.
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
The franchise started with the original film, which introduced the main characters and their love for fast cars. It’s a classic action movie with plenty of racing scenes and explosions.
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
The second movie follows Brian O’Conner, now a fugitive, as he teams up with another street racer to take down a drug lord. This movie also introduces fan-favorite character Roman Pearce, played by Tyrese Gibson.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
The third movie takes place in Tokyo and follows new character Sean Boswell as he learns the art of drifting from Han, who becomes a major character in later movies. This movie is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, but it’s important to watch for continuity.
Fast & Furious (2009)
The fourth movie brings the original cast back together and starts a new storyline that ties all the movies together. This movie is a great jumping-on point for new viewers.
Fast Five (2011)
The fifth movie is considered by many to be the best in the franchise. It brings back fan-favorite characters from previous movies and introduces Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Hobbs. The story focuses on a heist in Brazil and features some of the franchise’s best action scenes.
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
The sixth movie continues the story from Fast Five and brings back even more characters. This movie features a plane heist and a memorable fight scene between Johnson and Vin Diesel’s character, Dom.
Furious 7 (2015)
The seventh movie is bittersweet, as it was the last movie to feature Paul Walker, who passed away during filming. The movie is a tribute to Walker’s character, Brian, and features an emotional farewell scene. This movie also introduces Charlize Theron as the villain Cipher.
The Fate of the Furious (2017)
The eighth movie features Dom going rogue and teaming up with Cipher, which puts him at odds with his family. This movie is notable for its incredible action scenes, including a submarine chase.
Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
The spin-off movie focuses on Hobbs and Shaw, two characters who were introduced in previous movies. This movie is a fun and over-the-top action movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Fast & Furious 9 (2021)
The most recent movie continues the story from the previous movies and introduces a new villain played by John Cena. This movie also features a surprise return from a character who was thought to be dead.
Conclusion
Watching the Fast and the Furious franchise in this order will give new viewers a complete understanding of the story and characters. Whether you’re a fan of action movies or just looking for something fun to watch, the Fast and the Furious franchise has something for everyone.
