When the first of the films in the Fast & Furious saga hit theaters in 2001 ( at full throttle in Spain), nobody imagined that two decades later we would still be talking about it in the terms in which we are doing it, as one of the most successful sagas in the history of cinema that will have a tenth installment in 2023.
One of the highest grossing in history
And, indeed, the reason that has kept this saga in theaters for so many years is not to go looking for it in an epic universe in which it takes place, or that its heroes are adaptations of a legendary comic, but simply and simply in the box office numbers, which for whatever reason (the cars, the girls, the guys and the chases) has managed to connect with the general public . That is, with millions and millions of viewers from all over the planet. It must be taken into account that the collection figures were relatively discreet at the beginning, with amounts that experienced a clear turning point when one of its protagonists died in a traffic accident in California.
Paul Walker died in November 2013, while filming Fast & Furious 7 , forcing a break to decide how the saga would continue. The actor played Brian O’Conner for the last time thanks to the plans he was able to record, concluding the rest of the shots thanks to the participation of his brother Cody and the use of computer graphics. The result was that this tape reached ninth place in the list of the highest-grossing films of all time , with a collection of more than 1,500 million dollars worldwide.
Now, as the success was consolidating, new plots came to the franchise and from the first deals and clandestine races between gangs of the first installments, we moved on to true global threats where cars (and what cars are not) of Dom Toretto took over screens around the world starring in chases and action sequences that were more impossible.
In total, the franchise has managed to raise between its nine (canonical) films, the spinoff and the re-release of the first years later, a total of more than 6,100 million dollars, where its seventh installment especially stands out , which was the one that changed completely the dynamics of the series, as we mentioned before.
Fast & Furious 8 , however , reached 1,236 million dollars and the ninth reduced its income to 726. Remember that the first three productions ( All Gas , All Gas 2 and All Gas: Tokyo race ) they stayed at 207, 236 and 158 million, respectively.
First trilogy and reboot
First of all, we must remember that the Fast & Furious saga does not tell the same story from the first to the ninth installment (or tenth, which is on the way), but rather had a slightly unexpected start. The saga was originally conceived as a trilogy that would tell us exclusively the story of some characters immersed in the world of illegal racing and, proof of this, is the third, which takes us to Japan (Tokyo more specifically) where the protagonists change… except for a cameo by Dom Toretto.
Universal decided in 2009 to take a swerve and return to the characters of the first and second films, Dom Toretto and Brian O’Conner, who will already participate together in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh installments. Vin Diesel will continue after the death of Paul Walker but it is at that moment that the franchise that we know today is already consolidated and that it is on its way to completing its decalogy in 2023.
A great transmedia success
The success of the Fast & Furious franchise is not only limited to the cinema. Other media have seen the arrival of all kinds of content and products derived from those blockbusters experienced from the seventh installment and that have transformed Dom Toretto into a personality. Proof of this is the launch of video games based on the saga , or spinoffs, and even animated series and attractions in theme parks.
Within those spinoffs we have Fast & Furious Hobbs & Shaws , which has its importance within the story and was released in 2019 with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham as the main protagonists.
There is also an animated series released on Netflix, Fast & Furious Spies at full throttle , which right now has a first season that we can’t say doesn’t help educate the new generations in this movie franchise.
The saga has also served to feed Universal’s theme parks , such as the one in Orlando, which has immersive attractions inspired by the universe of the movies. And the truth is that they do not look bad.
Franchise protagonists
Although some faces have come and gone through the movies on more than one occasion, disappearing from the map. We bring you those who we can consider as the main protagonists . These are:
Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel)
The protagonist of the franchise and leader of our gang. The main characteristic of him within the saga is his special appreciation for the family, putting him ahead of all things. Though he starts out as a mere street thief, he eventually ends up becoming some kind of planetary vigilante.
Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker)
One of the fundamental pillars of the franchise. Initially, he was a police officer from the city of Los Angeles who infiltrated Dom’s gang with the aim of imprisoning him, although he eventually grew fond of him and ended up leaving his post to save him.
Luke HobbsDwayne Johnson
Continuing with the aforementioned, within the Fast 5 movie , his first appearance, he plays a government agent entrusted with the task of hunting down Dom and Brian , who are now among the most wanted criminals in the world. Although, lo and behold, he will decide to join this band of drivers.
Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham)
The main antagonist of the seventh installment of the saga. His crusade begins when our protagonists murder his brother in the sixth film. This is why he decides to kill Han in Tokyo, which causes a collision with Dom and his gang.
Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez)
Dominic Toretto’s girlfriend, as well as one of the central pillars of the street driving gang. Although she is presumed dead for several tapes, it eventually turns out that she was kidnapped and once she gets free of her, she returns to the protagonists.
Mia Toretto (Jordan Brewster)
Dominic Toretto’s sister who, although she initially did not want to interfere in her brother’s criminal affairs, is forced to intervene on occasion to save him. She also ends up becoming the wife of Brian O’Conner, with whom she even ends up having children.
Roman “Rome” (Pearce Tyrese Gibson)
He first appears in Full Throttle 2 as a small-time criminal who helps Brian, but ends up being part of the main gang once they need help to defeat the Shaw brothers.
Tej Parker (Ludacris)
Much like the Roman case, Tej appears in the second film as a simple street race host but ends up joining the lead gang during the events of the sixth film in the franchise.
Gisele Yashar as Gal Gadot
This impressive host was part of Dominic Toretto’s gang for a few movies while having a romantic relationship with the character of Han … until his tragic death in Fast & Furious 6 .
Megan Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel)
Megan is a hacker extraordinaire introduced in Fast & Furious 7 as the creator of the “Eye of God”, a powerful device capable of hacking any technology and sending the collected information in record time. She would end up joining Toretto’s gang at the end of that same movie.
Jakob Toretto (John Cena)
He is the long-lost brother of Mia and Dominic Toretto. Jakob plays the role of the main antagonist in the ninth installment. This character was once an agent of Cipher, the main villain of the eighth installment.
Sean Boswell (Lucas Black)
Protagonist of A Todos gas Tokyo race , this young man is sent to Japan with the aim of bringing him to justice. Instead of becoming a good citizen, he is sent to Japan in order to bring him to justice. Instead of becoming a good citizen, this young man decides to get into the world of street racing . As a mentor he will have the character of Han.
All Fast & Furious movies
Here is a brief description of each of the films , including the spinoff released in 2019 that tells the story of Hobbs and Shaw. These are:
Full Throttle (2001)
In this film, he introduces us to Brian, a young Los Angeles police officer who must infiltrate Dominic Toretto’s gang , a street racing driver who is suspected of committing a series of robberies.
Full Throttle 2 (2003)
After the end of the first film, Brian is given the task of arresting a dangerous drug dealer, again infiltrating his gang of drivers. This time he will be accompanied by Roman, a former ally.
Full throttle: Tokyo race (2006)
In this film we meet Sean, a young man who after making a mess in the United States is sent to Japan with the aim of becoming a good person. It is there that he discovers the world of illegal racing.
Fast & Furious Even Faster (2009)
Back with the original protagonists, Dom and Brian must join forces to defeat a powerful common enemy. However, in the end, poor Toretto will find his bones in jail, arrested.
Fast 5 (2011)
After rescuing Dom from the police, our protagonists arrive in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where they plan to pull off a big heist while being pursued by Luke Hobbs, a relentless government agent.
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
After carrying out the coup in the fifth installment, our protagonists are again intercepted by Luke Hobbs , who asks for their help to stop Owen Shaw, the leader of a fearsome gang of mercenary drivers.
Furious 7 (2015)
After the death of Owen Shaw, his brother Deckard seeks revenge, which is why he ends up murdering Han in Japan… and leaving Hobbs seriously injured, which will cause our protagonist gang to seek revenge for their friend.
Fast & Furious 8 (2017)
In this film, Toretto’s old enemy, Cipher, blackmails him into betraying his friends and stealing the “Eye of God”, causing the gang to disintegrate.
Fast & Furious Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
Spinoff of the main franchise where we have a good guy (Dwayne Johnson) and a bad guy (Jason Statham) collaborating to eliminate a threat that is embodied, neither more nor less, than Idris Elba (Brixton Lore). The move went well for Universal because they managed to raise just over $760 million.
F9 (2021)
In this ninth installment, the band of protagonists will have to face their lost brother Jakob , one of the most skilled and dangerous assassins in the world.
In what order to watch the movies?
As a good franchise, there comes a time when things begin to get complicated in a clear way , mixing events that come and go over time. If you have them all at hand (in Prime Video and Movistar+ you have them all except the short films, in italics), don’t miss the opportunity to see them as the story flows… chronologically speaking. This way you will understand everything better.
This is the chronological order to enjoy the Fats & Furious franchise:
- Full Throttle (2001)
- The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
- Full Throttle 2 (2003)
- The Highwaymen (2009)
- Fast & Furious: Even Faster (2009)
- Fast & Furious 5 (2011)
- Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
- Full Throttle: Tokyo Race (2006)
- Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
- Fast & Furious 8 (2017)
- Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
- Fast & Furious 9 (2021)