Mad Max

Mad Max is an Australian post-apocalyptic action film franchise created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy.

Mad Max is an Australian post-apocalyptic action film franchise created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy. The series began with the 1979 film *Mad Max* and has expanded to include multiple sequels and a 2024 spin-off, all centred on the character Max Rockatansky in a dystopian future Australia. The franchise has a significant international audience, including in Canada, where it is widely referenced in film discussions and action-cinema coverage.

Overview

Mad Max is a long-running Australian film franchise known for dystopian settings, vehicular action, and survival themes. It is built around the recurring character Max Rockatansky and the collapse of society in a harsh future world.

Films

The franchise began with *Mad Max* in 1979 and continued with *Mad Max 2* (1981), *Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome* (1985), and *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015). The spin-off *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga* was released in 2024.

Characters and casting

Max Rockatansky was originally played by Mel Gibson in the first three films. Tom Hardy and Jacob Tomuri portrayed the character in the later films, including the modern entries in the franchise.

Setting and themes

The series is set in a future Australia affected by societal collapse, war, scarcity of fuel and water, and environmental destruction. Its stories combine action with post-apocalyptic and dystopian themes.