The Fast & Furious franchise, also called the Fast Saga, is famous around the world. People know it for its high-speed action, cool cars, and strong focus on family. Main characters like Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (played by Paul Walker) have become movie icons.
But with over ten main movies, some short films, and even a spin-off, new fans often ask the same question: “What’s the right order to watch these?” It can feel confusing at first, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide breaks it down into two simple ways to watch: Release Order (when the movies came out) and Chronological Order (when events happen in the story).
Why Are There Different Orders? The Tokyo Drift Factor
So why is the timeline mixed up?
The biggest reason is the movie The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Even though it was the third film released, the story actually happens much later in the timeline.
A big part of this twist is the character Han Lue, played by Sung Kang. Fans liked him a lot, so later movies added him again. But to do that, movies like Fast & Furious (2009), Fast Five, and Fast & Furious 6 all took place before the events of Tokyo Drift.
That switch in order created two ways to watch the saga. Plus, two official short films were added that also fit into the timeline, making the story even more layered.
Option 1: Watching in Release Order (Best for New Fans)
If you’re new to the Fast & Furious world, the easiest way to watch is by Release Order. This is how moviegoers first saw the series, starting with street racing and growing into action-packed global missions.
Watching this way keeps big reveals and new character introductions in the order the creators planned.
Here is the Release Order of all the movies, including the spin-off:
- 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) – Spin-off Film
- F9 (also called F9: The Fast Saga) (2021)
- Fast X (2023)
Option 2: Watching in Chronological Story Order
If you want to follow the events of the story in the exact order they happen, then Chronological Order is for you. This is great for fans watching the series again or those who want to understand the full story arc without jumping around in time.
Here’s the Chronological Order, including short films and the spin-off:
- The Fast and the Furious (2001)
- The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) – Short Film
- 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) 4. Los Bandoleros (2009) – Short Film
- 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) – Spin-off
- F9 (2021)
- Fast X (2023)
What About the Fast & Furious Short Films?
There are two official short films. Each adds extra story between the main movies:
The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious
This short shows what happens to Brian O’Conner after the first movie. He runs from the police and travels from Los Angeles to Miami, where the second film begins.
Los Bandoleros
Directed by Vin Diesel, this short leads into Fast & Furious (2009). It shows Dominic Toretto in the Dominican Republic. He reunites with Letty Ortiz and brings Han Lue into the crew. Together, they plan the fuel truck heist that opens the fourth movie.
Where Does Hobbs & Shaw Fit In?
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is a spin-off. It follows Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham). This movie tells its own story.
In the timeline, Hobbs & Shaw happens after The Fate of the Furious and before F9. You can watch it in either Release or Chronological Order, and it won’t affect the main plot much. It’s not required to understand the main Toretto family storyline, but it adds more to the universe.
A Quick Note on Post-Credits Scenes
One more tip for watching the Fast Saga: stick around after the movie ends! Many of the films have important scenes during or after the credits roll. These Post-credits Scenes often give hints about the next movie, introduce new characters or villains, or reveal surprising plot twists (like explaining how Han Lue factors into later films). Watching the movies in the right sequence makes these extra scenes much more meaningful.
Should You Watch the Credits?
Yes, definitely. Many Fast Saga movies have post-credit scenes. These extra clips come during or after the end credits. They often show what’s coming next, reveal surprise characters, or bring back old ones (like Han in F9).
Watching in the right order makes these scenes more exciting and easier to understand.
What About Fast & Furious: Spy Racers?
This is an animated Netflix show. It follows Tony Toretto, Dom’s younger cousin. He works with friends on spy missions. While Dominic Toretto appears in the show, the story is mostly separate from the main movies.
You don’t need to watch Spy Racers to enjoy the Fast Saga. It’s made for a younger audience.
So, Which Fast & Furious Order Should You Choose?
It depends on what you want from the series. Here’s a simple way to decide:
- New to the franchise? Watch in Release Order. You’ll experience the story the way it was made.
- Rewatching or love detailed timelines? Go with the Chronological Order to follow the story from start to finish.
Either way, you’ll enjoy the action, the fast cars, and the strong family bonds that define the Fast Saga.
Conclusion
Now you know the two main ways to watch the Fast & Furious movies: by release or by story timeline. Both are good. Both give you action, fun, and some big surprises.
The series is still growing. Fans are waiting for the next chapter, Fast X: Part 2, to finish the story. Until then, you can go back and enjoy the wild ride from the beginning.
Did this guide help you choose the best order to watch the Fast & Furious movies? Do you have a favorite film or character? Share your thoughts in the comments below — and pass this article along to other fans who might need help too.
