All 5 Mad Max Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best

The Mad Max The franchise is one of the greatest action sagas and clearly one of the most influential in film history. The films vision of the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the Australian desert launched countless imitators in the decades that followed, and is the rare recurring series in which each installment is directed by the same auteur filmmaker: the legendary genius. George Miller. Miller's original trilogy grew in popularity with each installment, and his hand-crafted action sequences and dedication to world-building soon introduced the Max Rockatansky saga beyond Australia to an international audience . After the original series concluded in 1985, Miller worked for decades and overcame numerous production setbacks to deliver the critically acclaimed fourth installment.

While it's unclear when its titular character embarks on his next adventure on the big screen, the Mad Max the franchise is far from over. Miller has teased the possibility of another prequel film, which would further flesh out the universe by giving backstory to some of the background characters. Miller may be 79 years old, but he has shown no signs that his passion for Mad Max the franchise is holding him back in no way. Mad Max is the rare franchise in which every film deserves at least some consideration for its influence on pop culture. From fun shows to absolute classics, here are five Mad Max movies, ranked from worst to best.

5 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' (1985)

Starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turner

Mad Max beyond the Thunderdome it's half of a great movie. The first hour of Beyond Thunderdome changed the typical racing action sequences by introducing the thunder dome, distinguishing its action from the previous installments of the series. Dystopian motorcycle cage battles were a great concept and brought a new challenge Mel GibsonMax, and the bigger budget didn't feel at odds with the rawness of the apocalypse. You also get a gloriously hammy performance Tina Turner as the eccentric Entity, which rules with an iron fist over Bordertown.

It is when the film goes “beyond the throne” that it makes a change to be more sincere. The series had some sentimental moments in the first two installments, but for the first time, Max became more overtly heroic when he helped a tribe of orphaned children search for a legendary “Land of Tomorrow.” Although Max needed to develop for what was a temporary conclusion to his character arc, it was a drastic change from his usually gloomy persona. Beyond ThunderdomeThe conclusion is certainly not a wash, and the train action sequence is among the best moments of the series. It's still an underrated sci-fi sequel that only suffers in comparison to the other installments in the franchise.

4 'Mad Max' (1979)

Starring Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel and Hugh Keays-Byrne

Original from 1979 Mad Max it's the movie that started it all, and looking back, it's a very different movie from the rest of the series. Rather than opening as a western fable with a post-apocalypse set, the first film explores the events that begin society's decline and gives insight into Max's origins. He is still not the battle-hardened warrior that is essentially the Australian “man with no name”, but rather an honest cop who is forced to become a vigilante to deal with the growing threat of a gang of angry bikers

It's hard to say kind words about Gibson, but he nonetheless gives a rarely sensitive performance as Max watches helplessly as his city descends into chaos. His relationship with his wife Jesse (John Samuel) is truly heartbreaking and Miller does a great job of showing how Max's loss of sanity matches the world around him. While it lacks the momentum of the two classics above, Mad Max it's essential viewing that paved the way for the series' future heights.

3 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' (1981)

Starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence and Mike Preston

Although Mad Max had been very popular in Australia, it hadn't quite reached an American audience. Not to confuse viewers, the sequel Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior was commonly marketed by its subtitle, but new fans had no problem picking up where the first film left off. The road warrior it already takes place in the middle of the conflict, with Max emerging as the sane (or maybe the craziest) warrior enough to survive on his own. It is essentially 96 minutes of pure kinetic momentum thanks to Miller's innovative chase sequences and the incredible rogue's gallery of villains.

The road warrior plays like the classic westerns of Shane or Once upon a time in the westwith the young “Wild Child” (Emil Minty) recounting the story of a mysterious stranger who briefly performed an act of kindness. Max could have been a dumb vehicle to connect the game pieces, but Miller creates an engaging character who remembers his duty to protect the innocent. He reluctantly comes to the aid of a villager in a refinery settlement when they are threatened by a band of marauders. while Hugh Keays-Byrne had set a precedent for series villains with his role as Tocecutter in the first film, the great Kjell NilssonLord Hummungus's performance upped the ante as a ruthless yet intelligent warlord.

2 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' (2024)

With Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke

While the action is as amazing as any of Miller's previous installments in the franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is an emotional revenge odyssey that shows the true depravity of the Mad Max universe. Showing the early days of Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) before becoming a veteran warrior, the film chronicles how heroism emerges from the most unlikely of places. There's a primal, angry energy to the film that's unique to Max's passive nature in the other films. While many prequel films are unnecessary, furious it only makes the subsequent installments of the franchise more emotional.

The new characters a furious They immediately prove themselves worthy of the franchise's legacy. With the monstrous character of Dementus, Chris Hemsworth creates a manipulative and sadistic antagonist whose cruelty goes beyond the cruelty inherent in the wilderness. furious is a short film about dialogue, but the sharp interactions between the titular character and his new ally Jack (Tom Burke) are surprisingly deep. Miller manages to increase the visual splendor by finding creative ways to mark the passage of time, thereby distinguishing furious than any other science fiction western. With themes of female rage, climbing, environmentalism, obsessions and the cyclical nature of violence, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga it's a burst of stimulating energy that speaks to the ills of today's society.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga it's in theaters now.

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1 “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult

To say the fourth film in the saga faced an uphill battle would be an understatement, as Miller had been in development hell since the 90s and beset with production setbacks and a difficult shoot when he finally fought back. with a new cast. However, all skepticism faded away once Mad Max: Fury Road made its way to the audience. Few films are immediately accepted into the lexicon of film classics, but there was an immediate understanding that Fury Road gave classics like Die Hard, predatoror the matrix a run for its money for the title of best action movie ever made. With an innovative combination of practical effects, glittering makeup, tortured philosophies and female empowerment, Miller redefined the style of The road warrior with an even more relentless pursuit.

Both shockingly violent and shockingly beautiful, Fury Road it's also the best portrayal of Max's role in the wasteland and remains the best Mad Max film to this day. Tom HardyThe character's superior vision is not to be hailed as a hero, but to be surrounded by the show as he is haunted by the demons of his past. As great as Hardy was, he was completely overshadowed Charlize TheronThe incredible performance of the new heroine Imperator Furiosa. Furiosa, protector of a band of women bearing children for warlord Immortan Joe (played again by Hugh Keays-Byrne), Furiosa was an inspired new protagonist with a compelling character arc. Fury Road trims the fat that any modern blockbuster had. It became one of the few films in the franchise to garner serious awards, winning six Academy Awards and nominations for Best Picture and Best Director.

NEXT: Every 'Mad Max' Movie, Ranked by Box Office