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Mad Max

Play trailer Poster for Mad Max R Released Jun 13, 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

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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 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. Apr 27, 2018 Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine [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. May 11, 2015 Full Review Empire Magazine Simple, but effective. Rated: 4/5 May 30, 2007 Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse 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. Jul 12, 2025 Full Review Arthur Steele Birmingham Mail 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. Apr 23, 2025 Full Review Shaurya Chawla InSession Film 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 Rated: A- Apr 21, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/24 Full Review HameZz O George Miller did not have a ton to work with because of budget I'm guessing. Still I like the newer Mad Max movies much more. Mad Max Fury Road was brilliant and felt more at what George Miller was trying to get to in the first one but just didn't have the material. I didn't feel much of the revenge that it seemed he wanted you to feel or what revenge stories are supposed to make you feel. Actually once his son died I did think to myself, "Mel Gibson better kill all of them." But everything leading up to that wasn't the most interesting or captivating in really almost anyway. Except for the opening car chase, that was special. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/31/25 Full Review Cem Okan Y I believe the recent touch on this series is spot on thanks to today's technology. This original movie is not so one when you compare it with the ones in the last decade. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/24/25 Full Review john h An original revenge film with enough experimental filmmaking and bombastic but effective, subtle acting for it to be considered a cult classic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Patrick L The greatest movie of all time per budget! Australian cinema at its best No one in America can make a better movie for less money. ok not the best review but l was 15 when l first saw this. LOL Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/26/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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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