Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fastest Coaster Ever Just Opened, and It’s a Love Letter to the ‘Fast & Furious’ Franchise

Theme park thrill rides have become an increasingly important way for movie studios to keep their biggest franchises feeling alive between film releases, giving fans a physical way to experience the world of their favorite characters. Universal has leaned into that strategy heavily over the years, and its latest addition marks a genuinely significant milestone for the Hollywood park.

The ‘Fast & Furious‘ franchise has grossed more than $7 billion at the global box office across its 11 films, and with the saga celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the timing for a dedicated attraction couldn’t have lined up better. Universal first announced the concept back in 2024, promising a high-speed outdoor coaster unlike anything previously built at the park.

That long-teased ride has now officially opened. ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ debuted September 16 at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it’s officially the fastest roller coaster in the entire Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio, hitting speeds of up to 72 miles per hour.

The coaster’s technical specs alone set it apart from anything else in Universal’s lineup. Housed within an expansive red brick, garage-like structure on the Upper Lot, the ride features a dual-launching, split-track system with four separate launches, an inverted dive loop, a pretzel loop, and an inverted stall spread across 4,100 feet of aerial track, generating forces up to 3.6 Gs along the way.

The new ‘FAST & FURIOUS: HOLLYWOOD DRIFT’ roller coaster is officially open at Universal Studios Hollywood. It is officially the fastest Universal ride in the world. https://t.co/f0uq0iVQi4

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 16, 2026

What makes the attraction feel especially immersive is its use of fully rotational, independently programmed ride vehicles that let riders drift a complete 360 degrees throughout the course, creating a genuinely different experience depending on which of the four Fast Saga-themed cars, a Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, or Toyota Supra, guests happen to be seated in. Each vehicle also comes equipped with its own independent audio system, playing engine sounds and effects tailored specifically to that car.

A red carpet has been placed for the new ‘FAST & FURIOUS: HOLLYWOOD DRIFT’ roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. The ride…

• Drifts with 360 degree spins

• Reaches 72 MPH and a force of up to 3.6 Gs, the fastest of any Universal ride

• Officially opens tomorrow pic.twitter.com/DPSlFtPo9I

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026

The ride marks the first coaster with inversions ever built at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it represents the park’s most significant new thrill ride addition since Jurassic World – The Ride opened. It also replaced the former Animal Actors on Location Special Effects Stage, repurposing that space for the franchise’s high-octane new attraction.

First trailer for the ‘FAST & FURIOUS: HOLLYWOOD DRIFT’ ride.

Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood on September 16. pic.twitter.com/o9qY6fCchk

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 31, 2026

Universal didn’t stop at the mechanics of the ride itself when it came to honoring the source material. The arrival platform features an original large-scale mural by artist Tristan Eaton depicting the iconic street-racing finale from 2001’s original ‘The Fast and the Furious,’ including the memorable image of the airborne Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra racing against a speeding train.

The first trailer for ‘FAST X’ has been released.

The film releases on May 19 in theaters. pic.twitter.com/xlSoCqNQN7

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 10, 2023

Two stationary prop car reproductions greet guests near the ride’s entry archway, offering a photo opportunity before stepping into the queue. Given the ride’s intensity, guests will secure themselves with lap-bar harnesses and must pass through metal detection before boarding, with lockers available for phones and other loose items.

The coaster’s launch also arrives with an eye toward the franchise’s future, with ‘Fast Forever,’ the next installment in the film series, currently slated to race into theaters in March 2028. For fans who’ve followed the ‘Fast & Furious’ saga since its early street-racing roots, this new attraction offers a genuinely fitting way to celebrate a quarter-century of high-speed chaos, now translated into one of the most technically ambitious rides Universal has ever built.

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