Grey wolf optimizer (GWO) is a meta-heuristic algorithm inspired by the hierarchy of grey wolves (Canis lupus). Fireworks algorithm (FWA) is a nature-inspired optimization method mimicking the explosion process of fireworks for optimization problems. Both of them have a strong optimal search capability. However, in some cases, GWO converges to the local optimum and FWA converges slowly. In this paper, a new hybrid algorithm (named as FWGWO) is proposed, which fuses the advantages of these two algorithms to achieve global optima effectively. The proposed algorithm combines the exploration ability of the fireworks algorithm with the exploitation ability of the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) by setting a balance coefficient. In order to test the competence of the proposed hybrid FWGWO, 16 well-known benchmark functions having a wide range of dimensions and varied complexities are used in this paper. The results of the proposed FWGWO are compared to nine other algorithms, including the standard FWA, the native GWO, enhanced grey wolf optimizer (EGWO), and augmented grey wolf optimizer (AGWO). The experimental results show that the FWGWO effectively improves the global optimal search capability and convergence speed of the GWO and FWA.