The Ultimate Guide to the Fast and Furious Universe: Navigating the Saga Like a Pro

Fast cars, high-stakes heists, and a close-knit family of anti-heroes – these are the hallmarks of the Fast and Furious franchise. As Fast X gears up for its grand premiere this May, there’s no better time to dive into the twists and turns of this iconic film series. Are you ready to join Dom Toretto and his crew? Here’s your ultimate guide to watching the Fast and Furious movies in chronological order, release order, and even understanding the midquels and sequels!

Navigating the Lanes of Time: Chronological vs. Release Order

“You might think a blockbuster franchise about cars would be pretty straightforward, but since it began in 2001 with the loud and brash street-racing and gangster thriller The Fast and the Furious, the franchise has only got bigger in size, ambition and outrageousness – and the complicated narrative the 12 films have woven together can be difficult to follow,” warns Thomas Ling, an entertainment journalist.

The chronological order is particularly confusing when it comes to The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Although it was the third Fast film to be released, it takes place between Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7. Here are the movies in chronological order:

• The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
• Fast & Furious (2009)
• Fast Five (2011)
• Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
• The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
• Furious 7 (2015)
• The Fate of the Furious (2017)
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
• F9 (2021)
• Fast and Furious 10 (2023)

If you’d rather stick to the basics, here’s the order of release:

• The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
• 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)
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
• F9 (2021)
• Fast and Furious 10 (2023)

Meet the Crew: Major Players in the Fast Universe

Hollywood stalwarts like Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson share the screen with fan-favorites like Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker (the late), and Jordana Brewster, creating an ensemble cast that’s as diverse as it is star-studded.

“With the two-part finale to the Fast saga wrapping up the story for Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew, the stakes are bound to be high,” reveals Thomas Ling.

In the upcoming Fast X, the ensemble is set to expand even more with Hollywood icon Rita Moreno joining as Dom’s grandmother and Jason Momoa stepping in as a new villain.

Little Detours: The Often-Overlooked Mini-Movies

Sure, the major films get all the glory, but the Fast and Furious franchise also boasts several high-speed prequels, sequels, and midquels. The Turbo-Charged Prelude shows how Brian O’Conner went from LAPD cop to criminal, while Los Bandoleros serves as a primer for Dom Toretto’s life before he became an international anti-hero.

Including all these side stories, the timeline becomes:

• The Fast and the Furious
• Turbo-Charged Prelude
• 2 Fast 2 Furious
• Los Bandoleros
• Fast & Furious
• Fast Five
• Fast & Furious 6
• The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
• Furious 7
• The Fate of the Furious
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
• F9
• Fast X

Where to Get Your Fast and Furious Fix

For those in the UK, NOW’s streaming service was a go-to destination for the franchise until recently. As it stands, you can stream most of the movies on Amazon Prime Video. The first six films and The Fate of the Furious are available for free to Prime subscribers, while F9 and Hobbs & Shaw can be rented or purchased, with prices ranging from £2.49 to £4.99.

Ready, Set, Go: What’s Next for the Franchise?

As you strap in for Fast X, set to hit cinemas on May 19, 2023, prepare for new stars like Oscar winners Brie Larson and Rita Moreno. Charlize Theron returns as the recurring antagonist Cipher, and there’s buzz about a potential cliffhanger leading into the eleventh film.

As Thomas Ling puts it, “So, ahead of Fast X, which will see the Toretto family tree branching out further, read on for everything you need to know to catch up or get involved.”

So whether you’re a lifelong Fast Fanatic or a newbie looking to take the series for a spin, you’re now fully equipped to navigate the Fast and Furious universe like a pro. Buckle up!