Despite starting life as a small-time street racing movie, the Fast and Furious Franchise has grown into a blockbuster juggernaut, with eight films under its belt and another two in the works.

So, how do the films stack up when ranked against one another. Who comes home with the chequered flag and who’s trailing in last place? Read on to find out.

!Spoiler Alert!

In 8th Place: The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift

Released in 2006, Tokyo Drift is often viewed as the poor relation, having more in common with imitators like Need for Speed then the franchise heavy weights.

With none of original cast returning the film moves the action from its American street racing roots and instead focuses on teenager Sean Boswell as he tries his hand at drifting in Tokyo.

Unnecessary teenage drama and disappointing action sequences combined with the lack of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker mean that Tokyo Drift falls short of the mark.

In 7th Place: 2 Fast 2 Furious

Also missing Vin Diesel, hence it’s low ranking, 2 Fast, 2 Furious manages to retain the heart and charm of the original film, while also introducing a new aspect in the form of Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pierce. His buddy comedy act with Walker’s Brian is the perfect foil to the more serious relationship between Brian and Toretto, and has become an integral part of the franchise’s DNA.

Starting to flirt with the impossible stunts that have become synonymous with the franchise, 2 Fast 2 Furious hits the gas and steps things up a gear, daring audiences to question its audacity and keeps them glued to their seats.

In 6th Place: Fast and Furious 8

This was always going to be a tough one to rank as the franchise moves on without Paul Walker and his absence is felt throughout.

However, the show must go on, and Fast and Furious 8 does a good job of driving the franchise forward, introducing new characters and setting up new relationships to provide a different dynamic, without losing the heart of what has made it so popular over the last decade.

While Vin Diesel and the rest of the team might be reason you’re watching, it’s Jason Statham who steals the show here, as his villainous Shaw is given a second chance and plenty of opportunity to shine. In fact, my stand-out moment is Statham beating up a plane full of henchmen, while babysitting a 6-month-old!

In 5th Place: Fast & Furious 6

The tables are turned on our favourite street racing gang in the 6th instalment as they go from hunted to the hunters… the only problem, Letty is working for the other side.

If you’re willing to put all form of logic aside (key to enjoying this franchise in general), Fast and Furious 6 is an entertaining instalment full of striking set pieces. The only flaw, Luke Evans’ villain never feels like a credible threat, despite his best attempts, as you know Vin Diesel would eat him for breakfast.

In 4th Place: Fast & Furious

The fourth instalment finally reunited the original leads, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, giving the franchise a much-needed energy boost and starting its journey to becoming a blockbuster juggernaut.

While it never forgets its street racing roots, the stakes are raised as the creative team add a new level of danger and increase the impact by ensuring the gang feel the consequences of their actions.

The franchise might, on the surface, be all about fast cars but more importantly it’s about family. The brotherly relationship between Dom and Brian is central to this idea and by focusing on it, tearing it down and building it back up again, Fast & Furious gains a strength that was missing from instalments 2 and 3. Audiences might come for the cars, girls and stunts but they stay for the characters.

In 3rd Place: Fast and Furious 7

Arguably the most emotional film of the franchise, both on and off-screen, the love the cast and fans feel for Paul Walker echoes through his final outing as Brain O’Connor.  

The film introduces us to Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham, who’s seeking revenge on our favourite gang after they defeated his brother at the end of the previous instalment, and unlike Luke Evans, Statham is more than a match for Vin Diesel. The final rooftop battle between the two is a franchise highlight, as they match both wits and muscles.

While the action continues to defy both logic and expectation, the heart of franchise has never been more clearly addressed and if you’re not crying in the final moments as Brain and Toretto drive in opposite directions to the strains of See You Again then frankly you don’t have a heart!

In 2nd Place: Fast Five

The franchises first proper foray into insane action sequences and crazy plot lines, the change of gear is never more evident than in the opening train theft sequence which is heart-stoppingly brilliant.

The film also marks the first outing of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s, Hobbs, providing the wall-breaking hand-to-hand fight with Vin Diesel that the world had been waiting for. It also brings together disparate characters from previous outings to form the car racing super group we’ve since come to love.

Fighting the corruption and heat of Brazil, Fast Five acknowledges the franchise roots but dares to dream big, with the final sequence defying expectations and raising the bar, not only for the Fast and Furious franchise but other heist movies as well.

In 1st Place: The Fast and The Furious

While some of the more recent outings were strong contenders, the truth is that the top spot in this ranking was never going anywhere but back to where it all started, with 2001’s The Fast and The Furious.

Introducing us to Dom, Brian, Letty and Mia for the first time, the film might lack the gravity defying stunts that have since come characterised the franchise, but it firmly establishes the charm, heart and family-feel that have kept the franchise going for 17 years and counting.

The chemistry between Vin Diesel and Paul Walker is evident from the first moment and plot, which see’s police officer Brian become embroiled with Dom’s street racing crew of miscreants, putting his loyalty to the test, is more than enough to keep you glued to your seat.

The final, post street race, scene remains one of the franchise’s best and in my opinion, they’ll never beat the original, no matter how many buildings they jump a car between!