You can skip 4 of the 14 titles in the Fast & Furious franchise and still follow the main story: The Turbo Charged Prelude, Los Bandoleros, Hobbs & Shaw, and Fast & Furious Spy Racers. The essentials (10 titles) take about 21 hours instead of 44 hours.
- Skippable
- 4
- Essentials
- 10
- Time saved
- 24 hours
Safe to skip
- The Turbo Charged Prelude2003 · Film · 7m · optionalA short film bridging the first two films; optional.
- Los Bandoleros2009 · Film · 20m · optionalA short prelude to Fast & Furious (2009); optional.
- Hobbs & Shaw2019 · Film · 2h 17m · optionalA spin-off; optional.
- Fast & Furious Spy Racers2019 · Series · 20h 56m · optionalAn animated kids' series; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2003 · Film · 7m · optional
The Turbo Charged Prelude
Turbo-Charged Prelude is a 2003 short film, directed by Philip Atwell, featuring Paul Walker, reprising his role as Brian O'Conner, in a short series of sequences which bridge The Fast and The Furious with its first sequel, 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Why it matters: A short film bridging the first two films; optional.
- Starring
- Paul Walker, Minka Kelly, and Vin Diesel
- Director
- Philip G. Atwell
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2
No. 02 · 2009 · Film · 20m · optional
Los Bandoleros
The film tells the back story about the characters and events leading up to the explosive oil truck heist in Fast & Furious.
Why it matters: A short prelude to Fast & Furious (2009); optional.
- Starring
- Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sung Kang
- Director
- Vin Diesel
- Scores
- IMDb 5.8
No. 03 · 2019 · Film · 2h 17m · optional
Hobbs & Shaw
Ever since US Diplomatic Security Service Agent Hobbs and lawless outcast Shaw first faced off, they just have traded smack talk and body blows. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton's ruthless actions threaten the future of humanity, they join forces to defeat him.
Why it matters: A spin-off; optional.
- Starring
- Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Idris Elba
- Director
- David Leitch
- Box office
- $760 million on a $200 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 67%
No. 04 · 2019 · Series · 20h 56m · optional
Fast & Furious Spy Racers
A government agency recruits teen driver Tony Toretto and his thrill-seeking friends to infiltrate a criminal street racing circuit as undercover spies.
Why it matters: An animated kids' series; optional.
- Starring
- Tyler Posey, Camille Ramsey, and Renée Elise Goldsberry
- Scores
- IMDb 5.9
- Episodes
- 52 across 6 seasons
The essentials, in release order
- The Fast and the Furious2001 · Film · 1h 46mBrian infiltrates Dom's crew; where it all starts.
- 2 Fast 2 Furious2003 · Film · 1h 48mBrian in Miami without Dom.
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift2006 · Film · 1h 44mMade third but set after Fast 6, which is why Han is alive in between.
- Fast & Furious2009 · Film · 1h 47mReunites Dom and Brian and kicks off the main saga.
- Fast Five2011 · Film · 2h 11mThe Rio heist turns the series into an ensemble; a fan favourite.
- Fast & Furious 62013 · Film · 2h 10mIts credits scene leads into Tokyo Drift.
- Furious 72015 · Film · 2h 18mDeckard Shaw's revenge and the farewell to Paul Walker.
- The Fate of the Furious2017 · Film · 2h 16mDom turns against the family.
- F92021 · Film · 2h 23mIntroduces Dom's brother Jakob.
- Fast X2023 · Film · 2h 22mThe first half of the finale; ends on a cliffhanger.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Fast & Furious title?
No. You can skip 4 of the 14 titles in the Fast & Furious franchise and still follow the main story: The Turbo Charged Prelude, Los Bandoleros, Hobbs & Shaw, and Fast & Furious Spy Racers. The essentials (10 titles) take about 21 hours instead of 44 hours.
How long are the Fast & Furious essentials?
About 21 hours for 10 titles, in release order starting with The Fast and the Furious.
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