Mad Max Movies Ranked
A petrol-head’s dream wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Violence, fast cars, and the occasional 1980s mega pop star – this is what Mad Max is all about. The Mad Max franchise is more than just a cult must-watch for lovers of Eldritch automobile monstrosities, it’s Australia’s auspicious introduction to the international cinema stage; the beginning of the showcasing of thoroughly antipodean productions that would seriously rival the output of those from North America – Mad Max was even the most profitable film of all time for twenty years (making over $100million from a $400,000 budget) until it was usurped by The Blair Witch Project in 1999.
George Miller’s terrifying vision of the future truly put Australia on the map of international film, and opened the door for the nation’s talent to make their distinctive marks in Hollywood – most prominent of all being the American-born, Australian-bred Mel Gibson, who was thrust into prominence through his starring role in Mad Max (1979) and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most undoubtedly controversial but impactful star filmmakers. What really was remarkable was the series’ almost flawless transition into the 21st century, its soft reboot Mad Max: Fury Road storming through cinemas in 2015 and becoming one of the most memorable movies of the 2010s in the process.
So, how do these truly legendary films hold up against each other? For this Ranked list, we at The Film Magazine watched all five Mad Max movies and compared each in terms of artistic merit, full throttle adrenaline, critical reception and audience perception to decide which are the best and, first, which are the worst films from George Miller’s beloved franchise. These are the Mad Max Movies Ranked.
5. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
The third instalment in the original Mad Max trilogy, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome seemed determined to draw in wider audiences than the largely adult crowds of Mad Max 1 & 2, embracing the franchise’s first PG-13 rating and casting megastar Tina Turner in an attempt to wow at the North American box office.
To some degree these efforts paid off – when in conversation about the Mad Max franchise, Beyond Thunderdome is time and time again brought up with fondness. It could very possibly be bestowed with the title of “fan favourite”, which makes perfect sense considering it was the most accessible of the bunch, especially to audiences born after the original two films were released. However, when compared with the other Mad Max instalments, it is apparent that Beyond Thunderdome is the weakest film of the franchise by miles.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome sadly has the most confused script of the series, lacking any clear direction. Its origins as two separate movie ideas is very apparent, with half of the film surrounding the internal struggle of power within a brutal civilisation controlled by a methane energy crisis, whilst the other half focuses on a “Lord of the Flies” type of tale, with feral children in the desert seeking a new home in a fabled utopia. Both concepts have their own appeal, but their combination means a lack of breathing space for either to develop into fully fledged themes or narratives, therefore leaving both underdeveloped.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is in no way a tiresome watch however, with plenty to entertain. The script, although messy, never fails to keep us invested in Max’s tragic tale as the lonely wanderer in the wastelands (a notable trope of the Mad Max films that is repeated time and time again). Despite its more kid-friendly film rating, this Mad Max entry is still stuffed with action and violence, including the requisite car chase and a gloriously camp showdown in the aforementioned Thunderdome – Max and Blaster quite literally fly though the air wielding blunt instruments in one of cinema’s most memorable fight sequences.
In the case of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, creator George Miller’s reluctance to make the film is its most evident deficit amongst an incredibly strong series of joyous watches. The filmmaker had lost his friend and producing partner Byron Kennedy to a helicopter accident prior to filming, and despite creating a thrilling gateway into the madness of the Mad Max series against such odds, Beyond Thunderdome lacks the vigour of the pair’s previous films, making it the worst film in the franchise.
How mad is Max?
Max is quite mad, and his raggedy appearance (with uneven pupils to top off the look) serves to further compound his insane reputation. Flying around the Thunderdome armed with a chainsaw about sums it up. Through the course of the film, Max is attempting to grasp onto his lost humanity as seen when he takes a stand against abusing the vulnerable, but then he does punch a teenage girl right in the face. Swings and roundabouts.
Great catch on the uneven pupils! I couldn’t believe how many people called me crazy when I mentioned it. (Okay I couldn’t believe how many people that knew me called me crazy *just* about that.) I also loved pointing out that he was probably wearing a breechclout because the seat of his pants was worn through.
It may be the age difference, but for me it’s always the original in the #1 slot. It is so skillfully done. The bare budget and unknown (to me) actors giving the hero’s break with civilization/morality relatable feel. For me, the car chases were more filler than plot.
On a trivia side note: a ?Japanese? fan once told me that the original could be watched and understood without the dialogue. When I watched it again, I realized she was right – the movie could have been about a samurai, knight or almost any kind of a society protector-warrior broken by repercussions from their vocation.
Keep it going, kiddo. Looking forward to more generation spanning reviews!
Thank you so much for your comment!! Yeah the uneven pupils were such a great touch cos of course he got whacked on the bonce in no.2
I totally get your love for the original, its where it all started and it really hurt to put it in third place.
I meant it when I said it was a masterpiece cos for me endings are everything so the original Mad Max blew me out of the water
Great article and mostly I agree with your rankings. While an argument can be made for Fury Road as series’ best, for me there just isn’t enough story despite the thrilling action.
Granted, the plot of The Road Warrior is pretty simple, but there’s more story and it’s more than just an exhilarating and exhausting chase film that Fury Road seems to be,
I think I actually like Beyond Thunder a little more than Mad Max. I guess I appreciate Thunderdome’s ambition even though it’s oft unfocused, disjointed, and sometimes pretentious. About half of it works really well while the other half is a mess. Mad Max was essentially just a fun Grindhouse movie; enjoyable, but slight. I agree though, they’re the worst films in the serious.
Thank you Alan! It’s ways a good feeling to see someone agree with your ranking :D
Road Warrior certainly does have more meat on its bones which is why indeed it trumps Fury Road, but it was still very difficult to put these films in an order as I absolutely adore them all, even “the worst” of the franchise! Thunderdome and Mad Max are on the bottom but they are still iconic films!
This is the correct order. Really hope Miller gets to make one more because Furiosa isn’t the high we want to leave the franchise on sadly.