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Mad Max: Fury Road

Mad Max: Fury Road

The future belongs to the mad.

2015120 minRMidcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Director
George Miller
Starring
Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne

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.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Mad Max: Fury Road?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Mad Max: Fury Road to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Mad Max: Fury Road?

Mad Max: Fury Road earns 14 badges, led by Top 1% in Action and Modern classic.

Show 6 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Mad Max: Fury Road worth watching?

Mad Max: Fury Road's Midcredits score is the 98th percentile of all films, from 3.5M ratings across 6 sources. 87% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

98th percentile

Better received than 98% of films

99th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)98th
Approval (how many liked it)96th

82 /100

98th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s

Critics 90 · Audience 81

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

87% liked it

96th percentile of all films

97th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s
87% rated it 7–1013% rated it 1–6

Critics 97% · Audience 86%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 55 wins / 44 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Director - Motion Picture
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Motion Picture - Drama

99th percentile

3.5M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$150M
Opening weekend$45M
Domestic gross$154M
Worldwide gross$380M

Returned 2.5× its budget — 95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It is an essentially plotless, non-stop chase film driven entirely by spectacular action and visual invention.

Fans praised

  • Relentless practical stunts and explosive set pieces
  • Furiosa as a powerful, emotionally grounded action heroine
  • Brilliantly choreographed, coherent action with minimal shaky cam

Detractors panned

  • Paper-thin plot and minimal character development
  • Reduced to a repetitive, monotonous two-hour chase
  • Max sidelined in his own film, overshadowed by Furiosa

What stands out

Effects and spectacle95

90% practical stunts, inventive vehicle designs, jaw-dropping crashes

Cinematography90

Vivid color palette, clear wide shots, stunning desert landscapes

Atmosphere90

Thick, immersive wasteland built through texture, color, and relentless chaos

Sound and musicDivisive88

Thundering drums, wailing guitar, roaring engines—total sensory assault

ActingDivisive80

Theron's commanding, emotionally layered Furiosa; Hardy's grunt-heavy but effective physicality

PacingDivisive70

Relentless, breakneck momentum—thrilling to fans, exhausting to detractors

CharactersDivisive30

Furiosa gets genuine arc; Max, wives, and villain lack depth and backstory

Plot and storyDivisive20

Minimal story: drive out, turn back—simple framework repeatedly called thin

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 8 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Mad Max: Fury Road like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you can give it your full attention, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you fired up. Skip it when you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Dark humor
Register
Brutal · 7% of filmsAdventurous · 11% of filmsExuberant · 2% of films: Bursting with energy and joy in its own filmmaking.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its apocalyptic chase with unapologetic intensity, never winking at its absurdity; it means every moment.
The rideThe film is relentlessly tense and thrilling during its extended chase sequences, with a volatile shift from despair to hope when the group decides to turn back and fight.
StructureThe story unfolds in a linear chase from the Citadel to the wasteland and back again, following a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe relentless chase and liberation of the Citadel leaves you exhilarated and believing in resilience.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

Why this archetypeMax and Furiosa flee the tyrant Immortan Joe across the wasteland, their journey to find the Green Place forming a quest that ultimately returns to confront the monster.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalFreedom · 5% of filmsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film is driven by the struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, intertwined with the fight for freedom from oppression and Max's quiet search for redemption for past failures.
StanceThe film celebrates the fight for survival and freedom, treating the protagonists' resilience and solidarity as heroic and inspiring.

The world

Near futureWildernessInstitutionalIn transitScience fiction
Orchestral modernExperimentalForeground music · original score · Tom Holkenborg
Settinga post-apocalyptic Australian desert wasteland ruled by warlords at an isolated Citadel
MusicThe pounding, heavy-metal-inspired score by Junkie XL drives the relentless energy of the chase sequences.

Content guide

Is Mad Max: Fury Road okay for kids?

R

Mad Max: Fury Road is rated R: “Rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images” (MPAA). As of October 5, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (80/100), sexual content at moderate (44/100), language at mild (29/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (24/100) and frightening material at intense (72/100). Overall it is heavier than 41% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 44 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland15A
  • New ZealandR16
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • AE16+
  • Argentina16
  • Belgium18
  • BGD
  • CL14
  • CO12
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • GreeceΚ-15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaA
  • IS12
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway15
  • PhilippinesR-16
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/14
  • RO15
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporeNC16
  • SK15
  • South Africa10-12PG V
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland14
  • TaiwanR-12
  • Türkiye16+
  • UA16
  • VNC16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 64% of all filmsHeavier than 41% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 42%
Profanity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 5%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 9%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 68%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Mad Max: Fury Road have?

MovieCove's classifier found 5 depicted content warnings in Mad Max: Fury Road: Gore or body horror (severe), Medical procedures (moderate), Addiction or relapse (mild), plus 2 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horror
ModerateMedical procedures
MildAddiction or relapse

Cast and crew

Who is in Mad Max: Fury Road?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; 2 award-winning performances in the cast.

Tom Hardy
as Max Rockatansky
CCA win: Critics Choice Award — Best Actor in an Action MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Charlize Theron
as Imperator Furiosa
CCA win: Critics Choice Award — Best Actress in an Action MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Nicholas Hoult
as Nux
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Hugh Keays-Byrne
as Immortan Joe
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Josh Helman
as Slit
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Nathan Jones
as Rictus Erectus
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Zoë Kravitz
as Toast the Knowing
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
as The Splendid Angharad
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Riley Keough
as Capable
newcomer then · star now
Abbey Lee
as The Dag
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Mad Max: Fury Road?

Movies like Mad Max: Fury Road include Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985), The Road Warrior (1981) and Mortal Engines (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by George Miller, and all are dystopian films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its world: post-apocalyptic. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Mad Max: Fury Road?

547 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: post apocalyptic. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.