The Fast and the Furious

The Fast and the Furious, generally known simply as Fast and Furious, is an American action franchise that began with a single film about illegal street racing in Los Angeles, released in 2001 and starring Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Over more than a dozen main and spin off films it evolved from a street racing drama into a globe spanning action series centered on a found family of ex racers and criminals who become an elite team taking on international heists and espionage missions. The series is one of the highest grossing film franchises in history, with worldwide box office receipts exceeding six billion dollars, and it has expanded into video games, an animated series for children and theme park attractions. The death of Paul Walker during production of the seventh film led the series to retire his character on screen with a tribute that became one of the most watched film endings of its era.