The Definitive Fast & Furious Movie Order: Release Vs. Chronological Timeline (Updated 2025)

The Fast & Furious franchise is a global phenomenon that has evolved from a street-racing movie to a high-octane, physics-defying spy saga featuring submarines, space travel, and a core theme: The Family. With over ten main films, a spin-off, and several short films, the viewing order can be incredibly confusing, especially since the third movie, *Tokyo Drift*, is actually set much later in the timeline. As of late December 2025, with the final chapter of the main saga, *Fast X: Part 2*, approaching, getting the order right is essential to fully appreciate the overarching narrative, the return of classic characters like Han Lue, and the motivations of the new villain, Dante Reyes. For both newcomers and long-time fans looking to rewatch the saga of Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, understanding the two primary viewing methods—release order and chronological order—is key. The chronological order is the only way to fully grasp the complex narrative jumps, particularly the retconning of *Tokyo Drift* to accommodate the popular character Han Lue. This guide breaks down both orders, includes all short films and spin-offs, and provides the latest updates on the future of the franchise.

The Complete Fast & Furious Franchise: Release Order vs. Chronological Timeline

The most straightforward way to watch the movies is by their release date. However, the chronological order is the one that makes the story of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), and their crew, or "The Family," make the most sense. The timeline is intentionally fractured to explain the return of Han Lue (Sung Kang) and the introduction of characters like Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham).

1. The Fast & Furious Movies in Release Date Order

This is the order in which the films hit theaters. It’s the easiest list to follow but will leave you confused about the timeline of certain characters, most notably Han’s story arc and the timeline of *The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift*.

• The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (Short Film, 2003)
• 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
• The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
• Los Bandoleros (Short Film, 2009)
• Fast & Furious (2009)
• Fast Five (2011)
• Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
• Furious 7 (2015)
• The Fate of the Furious (2017)
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (Spin-off, 2019)
• F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
• Fast X (2023)
• Fast X: Part 2 (Expected 2026)

2. The Definitive Chronological Viewing Order (The Canon Timeline)

If you want the story to flow seamlessly from Brian O'Conner's undercover work to the Global Security Agency's high-stakes missions, this is the only viewing order to use. It correctly places *Tokyo Drift* as a mid-saga event, which is essential for understanding the return of Han "Justice for Han" Lue.

1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

   The original film introduces Brian O'Conner as an undercover cop infiltrating Dom Toretto's street-racing crew in Los Angeles, centered around Toretto's Market and Cafe and the use of NOS (Nitrous Oxide Systems).

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2. The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (Short Film, 2003)

   This five-minute short bridges the gap, showing Brian O'Conner (driving his iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R) on the run from the FBI after letting Dom escape.

3. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

   Brian is in Miami, where he teams up with his childhood friend Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) and technical expert Tej Parker (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) to take down drug lord Carter Verone.

4. Los Bandoleros (Short Film, 2009)

   Written and directed by Vin Diesel, this short is set in the Dominican Republic and details how Dom and Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) get back together and plan a heist, setting up the events of *Fast & Furious* (2009).

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5. Fast & Furious (2009)

   Dom and Brian reunite in Los Angeles to avenge the death of a loved one, leading to Dom’s arrest and the famous prison bus escape.

6. Fast Five (2011)

   The team is on the run in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they perform the audacious Vault Heist and are pursued by DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), who eventually becomes an ally.

7. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

   The crew is brought back together by Hobbs to take down a mercenary organization led by Owen Shaw, culminating in a runway sequence and the reveal that Letty is alive. Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) is tragically killed, a key event.

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8. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

   This is where the timeline jumps. The events of this film—where high school student Sean Boswell learns to drift in Tokyo—happen *after* *Fast & Furious 6*. This placement allows for the death of Han Lue to be the cliffhanger leading into *Furious 7* and the introduction of Deckard Shaw.

9. Furious 7 (2015)

   Deckard Shaw, Owen Shaw’s older brother, seeks revenge for his brother’s defeat, killing Han in Tokyo (the scene shown in *Tokyo Drift*). The team, now working for Mr. Nobody, embarks on a mission that involves incredible stunts in Abu Dhabi and ends with the emotional farewell to Brian O'Conner.

10. The Fate of the Furious (2017)

    Dom is blackmailed by the cyber-terrorist Cipher, forcing him to betray The Family. The action spans from Cuba to New York and features a tense sequence involving a submarine in the Arctic.

11. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

    This is the first official spin-off, focusing on the unlikely pairing of Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw as they fight a cyber-genetically enhanced villain. It is a standalone story that fits into the overall timeline after *Fate of the Furious*.

12. F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

    Dom and The Family face his estranged younger brother, Jakob Toretto, and the "resurrected" Han Lue returns, explaining that his "death" was a setup by Mr. Nobody. The film famously features a Pontiac Fiero being launched into space.

13. Fast X (2023)

    The beginning of the final two-part saga. Dom and The Family are hunted by Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the son of the drug lord they robbed in *Fast Five*. The film ends on a massive cliffhanger, with the fates of many key characters, including Hobbs and Brian's wife, Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), hanging in the balance.

14. Fast X: Part 2 (Fast & Furious 11) (Expected 2026)

    The confirmed final chapter of the main saga. While initially slated for 2025, production delays suggest a 2026 release. It is expected to resolve the cliffhanger from *Fast X* and provide a definitive conclusion to Dom Toretto's story, potentially bringing back more classic characters.

Why The Timeline Jump in Tokyo Drift is Crucial for Topical Authority

The placement of *The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift* (2006) as the seventh film in the chronological timeline is the single most important detail for any expert guide on the Fast & Furious order. This decision, made years after its release, was a brilliant narrative retcon that revitalized the franchise and elevated a minor character, Han Lue, to a fan favorite. In the original release order, Han is introduced and killed in *Tokyo Drift*. However, due to his popularity, the next three films—*Fast & Furious* (2009), *Fast Five* (2011), and *Fast & Furious 6* (2013)—were all set *before* his death. This allowed Han to join Dom's core team for the major heists in Rio de Janeiro and London. The final scene of *Fast & Furious 6* then re-shows the crash from *Tokyo Drift*, but this time it reveals that the crash was not an accident but a targeted assassination by Deckard Shaw, setting up the revenge plot for *Furious 7*. This narrative structure, which is a hallmark of the franchise, allowed the writers to:

• Bring back a beloved character for three more films.
• Introduce a new, formidable villain in Deckard Shaw, whose motivation was directly tied to the *Fast & Furious 6* plot.
• Create a compelling mystery around Han's "death" and subsequent return in *F9*, which was a massive payoff for fans demanding "Justice for Han."

This chronological shift is the reason why watching the movies in the correct timeline is the only way to fully appreciate the complex relationships and escalating stakes of The Family's adventures.

The Future of The Family: Spin-offs and Final Chapters

While the main saga is slated to conclude with *Fast X: Part 2* (or *Fast & Furious 11*), the franchise is far from over. Universal Pictures is actively developing several spin-offs to keep the high-octane universe expanding, guaranteeing that the world of street racing, global espionage, and extreme vehicle modifications continues. One confirmed project is a sequel to the successful 2019 spin-off, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. This sequel will continue the adventures of Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, likely introducing new threats outside of Dom Toretto’s immediate circle. Furthermore, a planned all-female spin-off film is reportedly in development, focusing on the powerful women of the franchise, such as Letty Ortiz and Mia Toretto, potentially bringing other key female characters like Elena Neves into the spotlight. The final film, *Fast X: Part 2*, is expected to be a massive, world-ending confrontation that finally resolves the threat of Dante Reyes, whose quest for revenge has been the most personal and destructive challenge The Family has ever faced. With the main saga wrapping up, these spin-offs ensure that the Fast & Furious universe, built on muscle cars like the Dodge Charger R/T and the theme of unshakable loyalty, will continue to roar for years to come.

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