Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Just Became Universal’s Fastest Roller Coaster Ever

Universal Studios Hollywood has built its reputation over the decades by turning its biggest film franchises into physical, walk-through experiences, from Super Nintendo World to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. That tradition just got its latest, and fastest, addition, built around one of the studio’s most enduring box office powerhouses.

The ‘Fast & Furious‘ franchise has earned more than $7 billion worldwide since its debut over two decades ago, making it Universal Pictures’ biggest and longest-running franchise. With the saga marking its 25th anniversary this year, and another installment, ‘Fast Forever,’ already set for theaters in March 2028, the timing lined up perfectly for the park to give the series its own dedicated thrill ride.

That ride has now officially thrown open its doors. ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it has been confirmed as the fastest roller coaster in the entire Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio, reaching speeds no other coaster in the company’s global lineup can currently match.

The attraction reaches up to 72 miles per hour across 4,100 feet of aerial track, all while employing groundbreaking 360-degree rotational technology that spins each individual ride vehicle to simulate the sensation of drifting. Riders take on the experience inside one of four vehicles modeled after cars from the film series, including a Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra, secured with lap-bar harnesses as the coaster works through a dual-launching, split-track layout featuring four separate launches, an inverted dive loop, a pretzel loop and an inverted stall.

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. pic.twitter.com/f0uq0iVQi4

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 16, 2026

The coaster sits inside a sprawling red brick, garage-style structure on the Upper Lot, with two stationary prop car replicas placed near the entrance as a photo opportunity before guests even step into the queue. The ride’s aerial track winds its way across sections of the park, including looping directly over the multi-level escalator that connects the Upper and Lower Lots.

Getting to this point took years of visible construction and testing. The project was first teased with concept art back in 2025, followed by track construction milestones through 2025 and early 2026, technical rehearsals, and a soft opening period that drew some noise complaints from nearby residents before the ride’s full, official debut. Universal used that rehearsal window to fine-tune the experience ahead of opening day.

For Universal Studios Hollywood, the addition slots in alongside an already stacked lineup of franchise-driven attractions, joining Super Nintendo World’s ‘Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,’ the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s flagship rides, ‘Jurassic World: The Ride’ and Illumination’s Minion-themed attractions. A second version of the coaster is also planned for Universal Studios Florida, expected to open in 2027, meaning East Coast fans of the franchise won’t have to wait too much longer for their own shot at the record-setting speeds.

With its combination of record-breaking speed and franchise pedigree, ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ looks poised to become one of the park’s signature draws for years to come..

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