RANKING: Fast & Furious Films

Few film franchises have undergone a transformation quite like Fast & Furious. What began in 2001 as a relatively grounded story about street racing, car culture and an undercover cop eventually evolved into one of Hollywood’s largest action franchises, spanning international heists, espionage, impossible stunts and a constantly expanding ensemble. Across more than two decades, the series has experienced major cast changes, tonal shifts and increasingly ambitious action sequences while maintaining its central themes of family, loyalty and, of course, cars. With the franchise now entering its final chapter, ESCPSM looks back at the films that made the Fast & Furious saga what it is today, ranking each mainline installment from worst to best.

F9

F9: The Fast Saga — 2021

Release: June 25, 2021
Director: Justin Lin
Runtime: 143 minutes
Budget: Approximately $200 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $726 million

Justin Lin returned to direct his fifth film in the franchise with F9. The story introduced Jakob Toretto, Dom’s previously unseen brother, played by John Cena, while bringing several characters from the franchise’s past back into the storyline. The film also pushed the series’ increasingly exaggerated action into outer space, becoming one of its most unconventional installments.

FAST X

Fast X — 2023

Release: May 19, 2023
Director: Louis Leterrier
Runtime: 141 minutes
Budget: Approximately $340 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $714 million

Fast X began what is intended to be the franchise’s concluding storyline. Jason Momoa joined the series as Dante Reyes, the son of the antagonist from Fast Five, seeking revenge against Dom and his family. Justin Lin initially returned as director before departing early in production, with Louis Leterrier ultimately taking over. The film ends on a major cliffhanger, setting up the story’s continuation.

F8:THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS

The Fate of the Furious — 2017

Release: April 14, 2017
Director: F. Gary Gray
Runtime: 136 minutes
Budget: $250 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $1.24 billion

The eighth installment placed Dom at odds with his own crew after Cipher, a cyberterrorist played by Charlize Theron, coerces him into working against them. The film expanded the franchise’s ensemble further while taking the action to locations including Cuba, New York and the Arctic. It was the first mainline installment following Paul Walker’s departure from the series.

FURIOUS 7

Furious 7 — 2015

Release: April 3, 2015
Director: James Wan
Runtime: 140 minutes
Budget: $190 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $1.51 billion

James Wan took over directing duties for the seventh installment, which introduced Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw as the primary antagonist. The film was also shaped by the death of Paul Walker during production, with the story ultimately providing Brian O’Conner with an emotional farewell. Furious 7 became the first film in the franchise to surpass $1 billion worldwide and remains its highest-grossing installment.

HOBBS AND SHAW

Spin-Off: Hobbs & Shaw — 2019

Release: August 2, 2019
Director: David Leitch
Runtime: 137 minutes
Budget: Approximately $200 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $761 million

The first theatrical spin-off from the franchise, Hobbs & Shaw shifts the focus away from Dom’s crew and centers on Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw. The film paired Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham while introducing Idris Elba as the genetically enhanced terrorist Brixton Lore. Although separate from the main saga, the film expanded the franchise into its own spin-off series and demonstrated the commercial potential of characters outside the Toretto family.

FAST AND FURIOUS

Fast & Furious — 2009

Release: April 3, 2009
Director: Justin Lin
Runtime: 107 minutes
Budget: $85 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $360 million

The fourth installment reunited Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, bringing the original core cast back together for the first time since the original film. The story returned to the characters of Dom and Brian while beginning the franchise’s gradual transition from street-racing drama toward the larger action spectacle that would define its future.

FAST AND FURIOUS 6

Fast & Furious 6 — 2013

Release: May 24, 2013
Director: Justin Lin
Runtime: 130 minutes
Budget: $160 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $789 million

The sixth film continued the franchise’s international expansion as Dom and his crew were recruited by Hobbs to stop a group of highly skilled criminals led by Owen Shaw. The film brought Letty back into the story after her presumed death and further established the series’ new identity as a globe-trotting action franchise. It also featured one of the saga’s most infamous action sequences: the extended runway chase.

2 FAST 2 FURIOUS

2 Fast 2 Furious — 2003

Release: June 6, 2003
Director: John Singleton
Runtime: 107 minutes
Budget: $76 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $236 million

The sequel moves the action from Los Angeles to Miami, with Brian O’Conner now working alongside childhood friend Roman Pearce. The film introduced Roman and Tej Parker, two characters who would eventually become major members of the franchise’s ensemble. While it remained heavily rooted in street racing, 2 Fast 2 Furious began expanding the series beyond its original Los Angeles setting.

TOKYO DRIFT

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift — 2006

Release: June 16, 2006
Director: Justin Lin
Runtime: 104 minutes
Budget: $85 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $159 million

Set primarily in Tokyo, Tokyo Drift introduced Sean Boswell, a troubled American teenager who becomes involved in Japan’s drifting scene. Justin Lin’s first contribution to the franchise established a visual and stylistic identity that would become increasingly important to the series. Although initially disconnected from the original films, its characters and storyline were eventually incorporated into the larger Fast & Furious timeline.

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS

The Fast and the Furious — 2001

Release: June 22, 2001
Director: Rob Cohen
Runtime: 106 minutes
Budget: $38 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $207 million

The film that started it all. The Fast and the Furious introduced audiences to Dominic Toretto, Brian O’Conner, Letty Ortiz and Mia Toretto while immersing the story in Los Angeles’ underground street-racing culture. Paul Walker’s Brian is an undercover LAPD officer investigating a series of truck hijackings, eventually finding himself caught between his assignment and his growing friendship with Dom and his crew.

FAST FIVE

Fast Five — 2011

Release: April 29, 2011
Director: Justin Lin
Runtime: 130 minutes
Budget: $125 million
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $626 million

Fast Five marked perhaps the biggest creative shift in the franchise. Justin Lin transformed the series from a primarily street-racing property into a full-scale action/heist film, bringing together characters from across the previous installments. Dwayne Johnson also made his franchise debut as DSS agent Luke Hobbs. The film’s massive Rio de Janeiro vault sequence became one of the series’ signature set pieces.