Fast & Furious movies: ranked
The Fast and Furious has evolved from sexy women, tough guys, fast cars and racing bravado into a star-studded blend of Ocean’s Eleven, Transformers and Bond. And they’re all available to stream right now on Showmax. Here’s how we rank them!
In Fast and Furious 7, British action man Jason Statham bursts onto the scene as the indomitable Deckard Shaw seeking revenge for the death of his brother. Furious 7 gets an extra adrenaline-soaked layer of dramatic finesse and suspense thanks to renowned horror film-maker, James Wan.
Each burgeoning sequel seems to dwarf the last with the title denoting the number of worthy lead actors. Great pacing, star power, wink-wink comedy, CGI bling and Bond style entertainment drive this enthralling and larger-than-life actioner, while Paul Walker’s untimely passing adds an extra dimension to the family-first theme with a touching send off.
IMDB rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 81%
Fast Five: Rio Heist made a few key modifications to the nitrous-boosting, dopamine-infused car racing head rush. It’s essentially “The Brazilian Job”, where Torretto and his crew face off against a drug lord and law enforcement in Rio de Janeiro.
Introducing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson translates into more piston-pumping action as two of Hollywood’s most famous bald bad-asses go head-to-head. Fast Five taps into the vibrant energy of the gun and drug-riddled capital of festivity and hard-living. It’s there that they race armoured, muscle and squad cars, taking their trademark attitude, flair and adrenaline obsession to the next level.
IMDB rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 77%
The Fast and the Furious was just getting started, setting series trademarks in motion. Flashy cars, loud music, sex appeal and full throttle action provided crowd-pleasing sensory stimulation, while great characters, good chemistry, themes and dualities anchored the in-between bits.
The Los Angeles actioner stars Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster… but without Vin Diesel as kingpin, it just isn’t fast or furious! Having Dom Torretto induct undercover cop Brian O’Conner into the world of underground street racing is a daring baptism by exhaust flames. Tricked-out cars, eye candy, action extravaganzas… the battle for Brian’s soul is visceral.
IMDB rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 53%
Fast & Furious re-enlisted the original cast under Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in a sting to take revenge on a drug cartel. Returning to LA, Dom and Brian are back in town to take on more fast cars, blazing guns, hot girls and tough guys.
While Fast & Furious is about style, it’s no Steven Seagal movie – it’s carried by decent acting and creative action sequences. Justin Lin tips his hat to the first movie, leaning on his more seasoned co-leads. The sequel has a good balance of action, flash and story to rival the original, and burnt enough rubber to relaunch the franchise.
IMDB rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 29%
Set in London, Fast & Furious 6 centres on three major climax-worthy action set pieces much like The Avengers with touches of Sherlock. This “last” mission showdown to get a full pardon involves taking down a streetwise British team of drivers led by Owen Shaw.
It’s just as spectacular as Fast Five, using tensile steel cables to elevate mayhem and takedowns in bustling London town. Well-paced, star-studded, funny and slick, it makes for easy viewing with a video game plot in the realm of superheroes. It unhinges in the third act as unbelievable turns into near-impossible but it’s still a ridiculously entertaining thrill ride.
IMDB rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 70%
After seven movies, you’ve got to mix things up to reinvigorate a series. Since Paul Walker’s untimely exit, it seemed only natural for Vin Diesel to become torch-bearer. Luckily, he’s not alone with the large-and-in-charge Dwayne Johnson and unmistakable Jason Statham in the wings.
This is the most “Bondified” entry, encompassing many classic 007 trademarks. Globe-trotting, espionage, nuclear weapons, cheesy action, car gadgets and a super-villain femme fatale in Charlize Theron, it’d be unrecognisable if it weren’t for Dom’s racing team. From Cuba to Russia… with love, it’s an unconventional yet entertaining and star-studded CGI cannon blast of action.
IMDB rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 67%
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham are the biggest action stars on the planet. So it was cataclysmic when the big men collided in Fast and Furious 7. Taking their FF8 “bromance” on its own blockbuster holiday break out, they team up to protect a weaponised virus-carrier by taking down a cybernetic one man army played by Idris Elba.
Hobbs & Shaw catapults the franchise into the domain of superheroes as they battle a War Machine, Terminator and Robocop hybrid. It’s a slick, fast-paced, over-the-top and fun diversion as the brawny tag team trade insults, crank up the volume and smash baddies.
IMDB rating: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 67%
Ordinarily, spin-offs happen when a franchise breaks new ground or investigates origin stories. Yet, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift was an opportunity to buy time or re-energise a flagging series. Centred around a teenage loner who moves in with his father in Tokyo to avoid jail time, he discovers the underground street racing art of drifting.
Still flashy, loud and dangerous, this slick action thriller introduced Sung Kang and Lucas Black into the Fast & Furious family. An exotic Eastern departure, Justin Lin’s stylish reimagining is surprisingly adept, echoing O’Conner’s immersion with a fresh cast and its own flair.
IMDB rating: 6/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 37%
With Vin Diesel out of the picture in this instalment, Paul Walker locks bullhorns with Tyrese Gibson, playing former childhood friends and street racers. Peddling Lethal Weapon and Miami Vice dynamics, the ex-cop ex-con duo fight a deep cover agent and against a drug lord. This film is like Fast and Furious light: watch it after all the others as a palate-cleanser or dessert.
IMDB rating: 5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 36%