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Mad Max

Play trailer Poster for Mad Max R 1980 1h 33m Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man's most precious resource -- oil -- has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution.
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Mad Max

Mad Max

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce McCabe Boston Globe Apr 27, 2018
If punk is a sensibility as well as an adjective, Mad Max is a punk movie. Its Australian setting enhances it, authenticating its futuristic aura. Go to Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine May 11, 2015
[The] film has been consigned to the grind houses, where audiences are responding as Miller wants them to. From there Mad Max will find its way to the film schools and revival houses, where its tough-gutted intelligence may be appreciated. Go to Full Review Empire Magazine May 30, 2007
4/5
Simple, but effective. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12, 2025
Mad Max is a dynamic debut feature from George Miller, rich with the visual ingenuity his later films would be known for in spite of its budgetary limitations. Go to Full Review Arthur Steele Birmingham Mail Apr 23, 2025
One of the most horrific experiences I have suffered even by current grisly standards... The kind of ghoulish satisfaction that crowds once got from watching murderers disembowelled in public. Go to Full Review Shaurya Chawla InSession Film Apr 21, 2025
A-
While Mad Max may not be the best movie from George Miller, given his work in The Road Warrior, Fury Road and Furiosa, it serves as an incredibly effective entry into the world of fire and blood Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James May 25, 2024 Probably the best Mad Max movie in the series. The best, most developed villains in the series for sure. In fact The Toecutter is one of the best all-time villains in cinema. So great to see this classic movie on the big screen. I hope the Gateway will also show The Road Warrior too. See more Terrell M @RedheadsReviews Sep 16, 2026 One of my favorite movies from my childhood that my father shared with me. It's a great story of a Cop in a modern world destined to ride through the Apocalypse with no end in sight, nobody can stop him. Great start of his long story. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 10, 2026 Mad Max = a *4* star Movie See more William L @RT70826415 Aug 18, 2026 George Miller first Mad Max Film is very enjoying, gritty, fast, and very entertaining. Mel Gibson’s first major film will have you on edge of your seat!!! Highly recommend by action or dystopian fans!!! See more diogo13 T @Tua_mera Jul 10, 2026 É claro que o primeiro filme de Mad Max é muito estranho. Provavelmente uma das visões mais interessantes de um mundo enlouquecido. Não é exatamente pós-apocalíptico, mas sim pré -apocalíptico. Dá a sensação de um mundo à beira da autodestruição e já apresenta alguns dos clichês famosos de um cenário pós-apocalíptico. Há gangues de motoqueiros malvados e uma anarquia generalizada, e as pessoas que deveriam manter a ordem são todas descontroladas e delinquentes. See more Thomas B @Necrom Jul 9, 2026 The film that started a franchise. It’s low-budget but made with passion, that it stands the test of time. See more Read all reviews
Mad Max

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Cast & Crew

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George Miller

Director

Mel Gibson

"Mad" Max Rockatansky

Joanne Samuel

Jessie Rockatansky

Hugh Keays-Byrne

Toecutter

Steve Bisley

Jim Goose

Roger Ward

Fifi Macaffee

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Mad Max

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Movie Info

Synopsis In a not-too-distant dystopian future, when man's most precious resource -- oil -- has been depleted and the world plunged into war, famine and financial chaos, the last vestiges of the law in Australia attempt to restrain a vicious biker gang. Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered, leaving him with nothing but the instincts for survival and retribution.
Director
George Miller
Producer
Byron Kennedy
Screenwriter
James McCausland, George Miller
Distributor
American International Pictures
Production Co
Crossroads, Kennedy Miller Productions, Mad Max Films
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 13, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 24, 2016
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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