Since the films in the franchise were not released one after the other and have different actors, watching Mad Max in chronological order can be a challenge for some fans. The series that tells a post-apocalyptic story directed by George Miller and released in 1979 continues to please today's audiences with its well-constructed scenarios and mesmerizing action scenes. But what do you do if you feel lost and don't know where to start when it comes to entering this universe for good?
Is this your case? Are you trying to start Mad Max and don't know which movie to watch next after the one you've just finished? Don't worry, we're here to help! In today's article we'll bring you a complete guide to the saga with all the Mad Max films and where each one fits into the franchise! Shall we take a look together?
Mad Max (1979)
The first Mad Max was one of the most striking Mel Gibson films of the actor's career, casting him as the protagonist Max Rockatansky. He is a man who lives many years in the future when the Earth's resources involving oil have become scarce. Violence is the law in this new reality and our main character ends up losing his family to a gang, vowing revenge on them.
This movie was extremely well received by critics and audiences, which led to a sequel some time later. It can also be considered a box office success as it grossed US$ 100 million against a budget of just US$ 350 thousand. This will be the first you need to see to watch Mad Max movies in chronological order.
Mad Max 2 - The Hunt Continues (1981)
Next on the list is The Hunt Continues, released in 1981. It's the second one to watch for Mad Max movies in chronological order and also the second one released. It follows the protagonist Max on his adventures, but this time as the protector of a refinery that is being threatened for its resources.
Both critics and audiences were pleased with the sequel, which earned it a score of 94% on the Rotten Tomatoes website. Like its predecessor, Mad Max 2 - The Hunt Continues made a good profit at the box office, grossing US$ 80 million while its budget was US$ 3.3 million.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
Confirming its continued success, a third adventure involving Max, still played by Mel Gibson was released in 1985. This time the protagonist is in a different place, left to his own devices in the desert only to be rescued by some savages who see his appearance as a special sign.
Although it managed to pay for itself and its score isn't low among critics, the third of the Mad Max films in chronological order didn't do as well as the previous two, achieving an average approval rating of 79% on Tomatoes. Its budget was US$ 10 million and it grossed US$ 36 million at the box office. A good result, but considered average compared to the others.
Furious: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
This is where the chronology of the saga becomes less linear. Although it is the fifth film released, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the fourth in the list of Mad Max films in chronological order. It revisits the character Furiosa, who came to prominence in the previous film released in 2015, and recounts her past. The young Furiosa is played by Anya Taylor-Joy and the story shows all the things she goes through before joining Max.
Despite its interesting premise, this chapter in the franchise struggled to exceed its budget of US$ 168 million, only making US$ 171 million. But that didn't stop it from falling in love with critics and the public, with an average approval rating of 90% on specialized websites.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
In Mad Max: Fury Road, Max returns to the leading role many years after the third film and with a different actor bringing him to life: Tom Hardy. He ends up involved in a serious conflict led by Furiosa (Charlize Theron) which aims to protect a group of women in the hostile world of this post-apocalyptic world. Max joins her to try and take down the greatest threat afflicting them.
The feature came to show that even with the passage of time the saga has not lost its gas. It far exceeded its budget of US$ 160 million dollars, earning US$ 380.4 million. Its ratings with the public and critics were also very high on specialized websites, which further consolidates the success of this, the last of the Mad Max films in chronological order.
Conclusion
This is the definitive order if you want to watch the Mad Max movies in chronological order. But which one is your favorite? We'd love to know, so tell us! And, since you're interested in this kind of topic, why not check out our article on the 13 best superhero movies of all time!
These questions may also interest you:
In what order should I watch the Mad Max movies?
As listed in the article: Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2 - The Hunt Continues (1981), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
Where can I find the movie 'Mad Max: The Wasteland' to watch?
Mad Max: The Wasteland has not yet been released, but is scheduled for release in 2025.
How does 'Furiosa' fit into the timeline of the Mad Max films?
It is the fourth movie to be seen out of the five already released.
