The “Fast and the Furious” is a curious beast of a franchise. Created as an updated “Point Break” (1991) homage (or rip off), it served mostly as a generation landmark attraction for the underground (and now demonde) culture of street racing. Besides the original (and now cult) film, audiences seemed enthusiastic to witness more cars, more babes and more outrageous stunts from their cinematic “family” resulting in a billion dollar revenue. We look back at the “Fast” saga and rank each entry from worst to “best”, if there is such a thing.

10. F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

Director: Justin Lin

Perhaps the worst entry in the franchise by far, “F9” is trying too hard to achieve epic “saga” with interconnected storylines, expanded mythology and preposterous action equivalent to a terrible videogame without an artistic director. The whole film is being used as an obvious ego vehicle for executive producer and main lead Vin Diesel that by today’s standards lacks any panache and visceral thrills. With ambitious but bluntly executed action sequences that have become infested with CGI and a melodramatic plot that goes all the way back to unnecessary prequel territory, the film removes the dramatic weight of the previous films by rectifying plots and consequences. The addition of numerous and superfluous characters detract from a paper thin story and even the once great chemistry among the cast is now long gone. And what’s with Charlize Theron’s haircut?

9. The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Director: F. Gary Gray

The most intriguing aspect of this surprising anemic entry after the emotional heights of the 7th one is how it surpassed the audience’s expectations by delivering even more physics defying entertainment. The adequate F. Gary Gray (“The Negotiator” (1998), “Law Abiding Citizen” (2009)) helms anemic action and proceedings despite the promise of crazy set pieces. Meanwhile the inclusion of Jason Statham’s bad guy as a new member of the “family” makes for an interesting dynamic with this ensemble which is not explored at all and only his bickering with Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs remains the most memorable moment. A truly gorgeous and dreadlocked Charlize Theron as the whispering antagonist leans heavily on James Bond caricature villain territory towards a tedious climax with a remotely controlled submarine that stretches out for far too long and causes more yawns than yays.

8. Fast X (2023)

Director: Louis Leterrier

Marginally better than the last two installments, this is due to the initially entertaining performance of Jason Momoa as the revenge seeking (what else these days?) antagonist Dante. As the film progresses throughout a telegraphic plot that involves an unlimited amount of goons, cars, helicopters and double crosses, “Fast X” considers itself to be a Shakespearean action masterpiece filled with road and car puns. While the Rome sequence is fun, the film eventually becomes a overblown collage of stupid moments and convoluted storylines and a gazillion character parade in semi-exotic locations amidst government agencies, assassins, thieves and techno McGuffins. It is pretty bonkers but considering the franchise’s origins, it has become a parody and unfortunately, the film is not on the joke.

7. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2007)

Director: Justin Lin

With more of a spin-off feeling, “Tokyo Drift” boasts more style for sure than “2 Fast and 2 Furious” but still cannot compensate it under a blunt and unoriginal story. Justin Lin as the newcomer director has relatively no plot material to work with and the fish out of water trope is stuck in banal mode with an rather blunt main lead. Lucas Black looks way too old to be in high school, his acting leaving a lot to be desired. Still, the change of setting is intriguing: the neon scorched streets of Tokyo is a pretty inspiring environment and Lin showcases some skill in the handling of the racing sequences. But the film’s most important advantage is the introduction of fan favourite Han who would come back from the dead.

6. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Director: John Singleton

The first (and unexpected) sequel might not have Vin Diesel but still offers a better time than it has any right to do so. Introducing two future series regulars in Tyrese Gibson and Chris Bridges aka Ludacris, the film tries to separate itself from the original cult hit albeit with mixed results. Focusing more on a take-down-the-bad-guy angle and less about the street racing, “2 Fast 2 Furious” has a main antagonist in the form of Cole Hauser who lights up a bit the proceedings, an interesting dynamic between Walker and Gibson, and a stunning to look at Eva Mendes. For reasons unknown though, John Singleton employs fuzzy and unconvincing CGI effects during his race sequences stripping away the beloved (and some will argue gritty) realism of the first film.

5. Fast and Furious (2009)

Director: Justin Lin

After two sequels, the highlight of “Fast & Furious“ was the on-screen reunion of the original cast which resulted in dramatically increased box office receipts. Justin Lin is back at the director’s chair (after helming “Tokyo Drift”) but unfortunately the resulting product remains underwhelming. Utilizing unconvincing green screen effects in the car sequences with starting to become bizarre physics and a banal story involving around another drug kingpin, the only reason why this one stands higher from the other entries is the presence of a solid dynamic among the cast, even though Michelle Rodriguez’s role is a cop out in one of the many return from the dead u-turns. Gal Gadot as the new member is a highlight though.

4. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Director: Rob Cohen

The movie that started it all. Directed competently by Rob Cohen (“Dragonheart“ (1996), “Daylight“ (1996)) and showcasing a different badass in the form of the grave voiced and appropriately called for a film of this caliber Vin Diesel, “The Fast and the Furious” rips off nicely Kathryn Bigelow’s “Point Break” (1991) replacing extreme sports with the “underground” world of street racing. Without the use of fancy effects, a small story at its center and archetypical characters satelliting the cliched plot, “The Fast and the Furious” reached cult status and became the voice of a generation. Although certain parts have become outdated (stealing DVD players!), it contains cool stunts, plenty of eye candy and enough charisma to propel it towards the top of this list. Diesel’s Toretto is an intriguing and flawed character and its his dynamic with Paul Walker’s rookie agent that makes this film spark.

3. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

Director: Justin Lin

“Fast & furious 6” was perhaps the tipping point for the franchise as it pits the “family” against trained mercenaries and rogue agents who no matter what training and skills they have can be dispatched with ease. For its lack of brain power, it makes up for it with great cast chemistry and incredible spectacle that sees real cars being smashed in novel ways. Using a more cosmopolitan approach, there are plenty of silly moments throughout the running time but the sheer spectacle and the cast’s enthusiasm drives the film with momentum. There is an interesting villain (portrayed by the always likeable Luke Evans) who along with his colorful minions make the plot slightly above average. Paying tribute to classic action cinema and managing to surpass the blockbuster standards set by its predecessor, “Fast & furious 6” does not disappoint.

2. Fast Five (2011)

Director: Justin Lin

“Fast Five” is mostly known as the film that turned a franchise involving a gang of street racers into a blockbuster of epic proportions with exotic locations, a catchy soundtrack and babe filled shots that would make James Bond blush. Relying heavily on breathtaking stunts, car chases and a climactic and legendary destruction derby, “Fast Five” revived a tired franchise after the last entry of 2009. The addition of Dwayne Johnson in the mix as a force to be reckoned with, tasked to bring down Diesel’s Toretto and serving as the primary antagonist gives the story real dramatic stakes. This entry also benefits from the large ensemble’s fantastic (and comedic) chemistry while the frenetic action sequences offer appropriately thrilling entertainment. It’s big and dumb and you will love it. A shame that this was retconned in the later franchise installments.

1. Furious 7 (2015)

Director: James Wan

Not only this film is a heartfelt goodbye to Brian but also a poignant send off for Paul Walker who tragically died towards the end of the production. Despite James Wan’s horror background (e.g., “Saw” (2004), “The Conjuring” (2013)), he demonstrates solid action chops in blockbuster territory with ease and directing his expansive cast into a surprising amount of fight sequences. Raising the dramatic stakes under an excellent opening shot that introduces Jason Statham’s big bag, Deckard Shaw has Toretto “family” fighting for their lives. Filled with preposterous action moments where the laws of physics do not apply and a now McGuffin chase which will become the trademark for the more outrageous sequels later on, “Furious 7” is highly entertaining balancing emotion and adrenaline just about right.