The Correct Order of Watching Fast and Furious Films

When discussing action films, we'll basically imagine scenes filled with gunplay or hand-to-hand combat. However, the Fast and Furious series has a refreshing twist. While still featuring gunfights and brawls, the true highlight of these films, which have captivated audiences since 2001, is the array of spectacular automobiles that are sure to dazzle any car enthusiast.

At the heart of the series are two pivotal characters: Dominic Toretto, portrayed by Vin Diesel, and Brian O'Conner, played by Paul Walker. Dominic is a seasoned street racer, whereas Brian starts off as an undercover police officer. Despite their divergent paths, both share a profound passion for cars.

Though hailing from starkly different backgrounds, Dominic and Brian eventually find themselves allied. What brings them together? Their thrilling saga unfolds across the film series, which is best enjoyed in the order of release. Here's how you can follow the Fast and Furious story from the beginning:

1. The Fast and the Furious

• Release Year: 2001
• Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
• Director: Rob Cohen
• Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Original Film, Mediastream Film GmbH & Co. Productions KG

In this initial outing, Brian O'Conner is tasked by the Los Angeles Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI, to infiltrate a group of street racers suspected of truck hijackings. Under the guise of a shop worker, Brian eventually confronts Dominic Toretto, the most revered figure in the street racing community.

Without Brian knowing, this meeting profoundly alters his life's trajectory. Ultimately, he finds himself so drawn to Dominic's world that he risks his career as a law officer to protect him. Watching this film is time well spent, especially if it leads you to explore the subsequent installments.

2. 2 Fast 2 Furious

• Release Year: 2003
• Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
• Director: John Singleton
• Cast: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Original Film, Mikona Productions GmbH & Co. KG

The adventure continues with Brian on the lam for aiding Dominic's escape in the previous film. He now spends his days engaged in high-stakes racing. His escapades catch up to him one evening when he's apprehended by his former boss from the FBI, who offers him a chance to wipe his slate clean.

In this sequel, Brian joins together with Roman, a childhood friend and ex-convict. Together, they accept an FBI deal to bring down a dangerous criminal named Verone. However, getting close to Verone involves navigating a series of challenging and risky hurdles.

3. The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift

This film is famous not only for its story but also for its soundtrack. When it was released, the Tokyo Drift song became very popular as a mobile phone ringtone. Many people who didn't watch the movie still loved the song.

This installment is unique because it takes place in Tokyo, Japan, and features a different racing style called drifting. New characters are introduced while the familiar ones are absent. The story follows Sean, who escapes to Tokyo to avoid trouble with the law in America.

In Tokyo, Sean enters the world of illegal racing and tries to make a name for himself. Over time, he becomes a skilled street racer. However, losing a race puts him in serious danger. Although the film doesn’t feature old characters, it connects to the next film in the series.

4. Fast and Furious

• Release Year: 2009
• Genre: Action, Thriller
• Director: Justin Lin
• Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Original Film

In the fourth film, Dom is living as a fugitive. He and his crew hijack a fuel truck in the Dominican Republic. Dom then leaves his sister Mia and his girlfriend Letty in Los Angeles. One day, Mia calls to inform him that Letty has died in an accident.

Meanwhile, Brian is investigating a drug cartel led by Arturo Braga. This case reunites Brian and Dom. Dom suspects something is off about Letty's death, and his investigation points to Braga. Eventually, they team up to take down Braga.

5. Fast Five

• Release Year: 2011
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
• Director: Justin Lin
• Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race Productions

In the fifth film, a new character is introduced: Dwayne Johnson as Hobbs, a tough federal agent assigned to capture Dom and his crew. Previously, Dom was sent to prison, but Brian and Dom's friends managed to free him during transport.

They regroup in Brazil and plan to steal money from Hernan Reyes, the leader of a drug cartel who controls the city. Reyes is a powerful figure with the police on his side. Feeling threatened, Reyes moves his money to a secure vault at the police station.

6. Fast and Furious 6

• Release Year: 2013
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
• Director: Justin Lin
• Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Original Film

In this installment, Hobbs drives the story as he hunts down a group of international criminals led by Owen Shaw. Shaw and his team are extremely dangerous and pose a global threat. To complete his mission, Hobbs seeks the help of Dom and his crew.

At this time, Dom plans to retire and live off his earnings from Brazil. However, Hobbs offers him a full pardon if he helps capture Owen Shaw. Additionally, Hobbs reveals that Letty, believed to be dead, is still alive and has joined Shaw's group.

One interesting aspect of this film is the inclusion of Indonesian actors. Joe Taslim plays Jah, one of Owen Shaw's men. Many consider this film the most well-written of the series, with numerous unpredictable twists.

7. Furious 7

• Release Year: 2015
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
• Director: James Wan
• Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
• Production Company: Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital (MRC), China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)

Dom has finally settled down, receiving a full pardon and reuniting with Letty. His life feels complete with a loving family, a loyal partner, and plenty of money. However, his peace is shattered when Ian Shaw, Owen Shaw's brother, seeks revenge against Dom and his family.

Owen Shaw is in the hospital due to Dom and his crew's actions. Ian Shaw vows to avenge his brother by targeting everyone involved. Simultaneously, Dom and his family must protect a government program that could cause chaos if it falls into the wrong hands.

8. The Fate of the Furious

The eighth film in the series is the most emotional. Before its release, fans were saddened by the news of Paul Walker's death in a car accident. At the time of his passing, the film was not yet finished. The remaining scenes were completed using technology and with the help of Paul Walker's brother.

In this film, Dom shocks his family by betraying them and getting involved in terrorism. It turns out he is being manipulated by a mysterious woman named Cipher. Dom's family must come together to thwart Cipher's plan to launch a nuclear bomb.

9. F9: The Fast Saga

Four years after the last film, the Fast & Furious franchise returns with a new storyline in its 9th installment. This film continues to follow Dom Toretto, who seems destined never to live a quiet life due to constant threats from enemies or the demands of his lifestyle.

Dom is enjoying a peaceful life with his wife, Letty, and their son, Brian. However, their tranquility is disrupted when his old friends Roman, Tej, and Ramsey arrive with bad news. Although initially reluctant, Dom agrees to join their dangerous mission.

The mission comes from Mr. Nobody, whose plane has been hijacked by Cipher. Mr. Nobody was transporting a device called Aries that can hack crucial data worldwide. Clues left by Mr. Nobody lead the team to the crash site in the mountains.

There, they find the Aries device. However, after Letty retrieves it, the military attacks them for trespassing. A chase ensues, leading them into a minefield. Although they survive, the device is stolen by Jakob, Dom's estranged younger brother.

Jakob works for Otto, a millionaire allied with Cipher. If the Aries device falls into their hands, many villains will unite to take over the world. Dom and his team must prevent this from happening.

10. Fast X

Eleven years ago, Dom and Brian completed a mission to steal the fortune of Hernán Reyes, a notorious drug lord. The mission was successful, but it resulted in Hernán's death. Now, Hernán's son, Dante Reyes, returns to seek revenge.

The film is set two years after the events of F9 and ten years after Fast Five. After directing the previous film, Justin Lin contributed to developing the script and story with Dan Mazeau and Zach Dean.

Adding to the excitement, Dwayne Johnson returns as Luke Hobbs in the credits, and Gal Gadot reprises her role as Gisele Yashar, who surprisingly survived the events of Fast & Furious 6.

That's the sequence of Fast and Furious films you can watch to fill your spare time. The Fast and Furious series is similar to James Bond or Mission Impossible, with each film featuring a different story while maintaining a common thread.