Film · in order
Mad Max Movies in Order
All five Mad Max films in order. Watch by release (1979–2024) for the simplest path, or chronologically to slot the prequel Furiosa just before Fury Road.
Mad Max Movies in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Mad Max is one of the rare franchises where release order and chronological order are almost identical, so picking a viewing path is refreshingly painless. The series splits into two eras: the original Mel Gibson trilogy directed by George Miller from 1979 to 1985, and the modern duology starting with the 2015 reinvention Fury Road. The continuity between those eras is loose by design — Miller has always treated Max Rockatansky as a wandering legend whose stories are retold rather than a character on a fixed timeline.
Release order is the default and the one we recommend for almost everyone. It runs Mad Max, The Road Warrior, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road, then Furiosa. This lets you watch the world degrade from a near-future Australia with functioning highways into the full post-apocalyptic wasteland, and it preserves the way Fury Road reintroduces that world before Furiosa expands its backstory.
Chronological order makes only one change: it moves Furiosa ahead of Fury Road, since the 2024 prequel covers the years leading directly up to the 2015 film. The original trilogy's internal timeline is vague enough that we leave it in release sequence. The one gotcha is purely about mood — Furiosa is a slow-burn origin epic, so watching it first softens the adrenaline jolt that makes Fury Road famous.
If you love this kind of vehicular post-apocalypse, the Mad Max DNA runs through Fallout, Borderlands, and the anime Desert Punk. Fury Road in particular reshaped modern action staging the way the original films once influenced everything from Waterworld to Tank Girl.
Timeline 1979–2024
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Mad Max movies are there?
There are five Mad Max films: the original 1979 movie, The Road Warrior (1981), Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Fury Road (2015), and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024).
What order should I watch Mad Max in?
Release order is best for most viewers: Mad Max (1979), The Road Warrior (1981), Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Fury Road (2015), then Furiosa (2024). For chronology, watch Furiosa right before Fury Road.
Is Furiosa a prequel to Fury Road?
Yes. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) is a prequel covering the years leading up to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), tracing Furiosa's life before she meets Max.
Do I need to watch the Mel Gibson trilogy before Fury Road?
No. Fury Road is a standalone reinvention and works fully on its own. The original 1979–1985 trilogy is only loosely connected, so you can start with Fury Road if you prefer.
Is Max the same character across all the films?
He is the same legend, Max Rockatansky, but played by Mel Gibson in the first three films and Tom Hardy in Fury Road. George Miller treats Max's stories as retold myths rather than a strict timeline.
Will there be another Mad Max movie?
George Miller has discussed further stories, including a long-developed project sometimes called The Wasteland, but as of early 2026 no new Mad Max film has been officially confirmed with a release date.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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