Mad Max - Watch Order: Release Order
The Mad Max franchise is a legendary post-apocalyptic action series that began in 1979 with Mel Gibson's breakout role as Max Rockatansky, a former police officer turned wasteland wanderer. The original trilogy established the infamous imagery of souped-up vehicles, leather-clad warriors, and desolate landscapes that defined the genre for decades.
This watch list includes all films in the order of their release, with Tom Hardy taking over the role of Max in the newer entries. The continuity between the original trilogy (1979-1985) and the newer films is somewhat loose, as director George Miller has described the films more as myths or legends about Max rather than a strict chronological narrative, allowing for some flexibility in how the stories connect.
Mad Max
In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them.
Mad Max 2
Max Rockatansky returns as the heroic loner who drives the dusty roads of a postapocalyptic Australian Outback in an unending search for gasoline. Arrayed against him and the other scraggly defendants of a fuel-depot encampment are the bizarre warriors commanded by the charismatic Lord Humungus, a violent leader whose scruples are as barren as the surrounding landscape.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max becomes a pawn in a decadent oasis of a technological society, and when exiled, becomes the deliverer of a colony of children.
Mad Max: Fury Road
An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and most everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
As the world falls, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the wasteland, they encounter the citadel presided over by Immortan Joe. The two tyrants wage war for dominance, and Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
Other Film Series
Divergent
A dystopian trilogy following Tris Prior as she discovers her Divergent nature and leads a rebellion against the faction system controlling post-apocalyptic Chicago.
Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
The complete dinosaur franchise from Spielberg's original thriller through the modern blockbuster era.
Maze Runner
A dystopian sci-fi trilogy following Thomas and the Gladers as they escape the maze and uncover the truth about their post-apocalyptic world.
Predator
Elite alien hunters stalk Earth throughout history, seeking the most dangerous prey in brutal combat.
Star Trek
A legendary science fiction franchise spanning multiple generations, following the adventures of Starfleet crews exploring the galaxy and upholding the ideals of the United Federation of Planets.
The Terminator
A sci-fi franchise about humanity's war against artificial intelligence and time-traveling cyborgs sent to alter the past.