The Mad Max franchise has captivated audiences for over four decades, with its post-apocalyptic action and unforgettable characters. Now that the latest installment, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, has hit theaters, it’s the perfect time to revisit the entire series and rank all the films from worst to first.
5. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
The third installment in the Mad Max franchise, Beyond Thunderdome, sees Max drawn into a conflict between the tyrannical Aunty Entity (Tina Turner) and her challenger, The Master (Angelo Rossitto). While the film features some memorable action sequences and a strong performance from Turner, it suffers from a convoluted plot and a lack of the raw intensity of the previous films.
4. Mad Max (1979)
The original Mad Max film introduced audiences to the iconic character and the desolate world he inhabits. While the film’s low budget and rough production values are evident, it more than makes up for it with its raw energy and suspenseful action sequences. Mel Gibson’s portrayal of Max is both sympathetic and terrifying, and the film’s bleak vision of a world on the brink of collapse is still relevant today.
3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Furiosa, the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, tells the origin story of the titular character, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. The film explores Furiosa’s journey from a young woman kidnapped by a warlord to the fierce warrior who would eventually lead the rebellion against Immortan Joe. Taylor-Joy delivers a powerful performance, and the film’s action sequences are as thrilling as anything in the franchise. However, Furiosa’s reliance on familiar elements from previous films may leave some fans feeling like they’ve seen it all before.
2. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Mad Max 2, also known as The Road Warrior, is the film that truly defined the Mad Max franchise. This time around, Max is a lone wanderer in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, scavenging for food and fuel. He reluctantly joins forces with a group of settlers who are being terrorized by a biker gang led by the ruthless Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). The film’s action sequences are relentless and inventive, and Gibson’s performance is even more intense than in the original. The Road Warrior is a classic of the action genre and a must-see for any fan of Mad Max.
1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise, Fury Road, is a masterpiece of action cinema. Set in a desolate wasteland ruled by the tyrannical Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), the film follows Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron) as they team up to rescue Joe’s wives from his clutches. Fury Road is a visual feast, with stunning cinematography and breathtaking action sequences. Hardy and Theron give tour-de-force performances, and the film’s feminist themes give it a depth and resonance that sets it apart from other action films.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Mad Max franchise or a newcomer to the series, there’s a film here for everyone. From the raw intensity of the original to the epic spectacle of Fury Road, the Mad Max movies are a cinematic experience like no other.
