Despite the current disarray of the Mad Max franchise, the original film has significantly influenced the dystopian sci-fi genre. Released in 1979, the original Mad Max not only showcased director George Miller‘s talent but also propelled Mel Gibson into stardom, becoming a rare crossover success. In hindsight, the film diverges greatly from what the franchise evolved into, yet its anarchic essence has inspired many imitators and even some seemingly unrelated films. Audiences can relive the brilliance of the original Mad Max starting December on Prime Video.
The film celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, coinciding with Miller’s return to his creation in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Unfortunately, this sequel underperformed at the box office, earning just over $170 million globally against a reported budget of $168 million. Although the Mad Max franchise began with an inventive Australian film, it has transformed into something grander. The original made a remarkable impact, grossing over $100 million worldwide from a budget of less than $1 million. A sequel, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, was released in 1981, followed by a third film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, in 1985. It wasn’t until two decades later that Miller released Mad Max: Fury Road, featuring Tom Hardy in the lead role instead of Gibson.
The ‘Mad Max’ Franchise Is Stuck in Limbo
The original Mad Max was also critically acclaimed, currently holding a “certified fresh” score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus states, “Staging the improbable car stunts and crashes to perfection, director George Miller succeeds completely in bringing the violent, post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max to visceral life.” The highest-rated film in the franchise remains Fury Road, with an impressive score of 97%. Conversely, Beyond Thunderdome is regarded as the least favored entry, though it still has its supporters. Following the box office disappointment of Furiosa, and considering that even Fury Road did not meet expectations, the franchise appears to be in limbo; however, Miller has indicated that he has more plans for it.
You can watch the original Mad Max on Prime Video starting December 1, and stay tuned to Collider for further updates.
- Release Date
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April 12, 1979
- Runtime
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91 minutes
- Director
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George Miller
- Writers
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James McCausland
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Joanne Samuel
Jessie Rockatansky
