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Mad Max
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by George Miller. With Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne.
6.7/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
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.
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6.7/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTIn 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…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Mad Max.
MoviHero lists April 12, 1979 as the release date for Mad Max. George Miller is the listed director. The listed cast includes Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, Joanne Samuel as Jessie Rockatansky, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter, Steve Bisley as Jim Goose. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateApril 12, 1979
GenresScience Fiction · Thriller · Action
Runtime1h 31m
DirectorGeorge Miller
CastMel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, Joanne Samuel as Jessie Rockatansky, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter, Steve Bisley as Jim Goose
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Mad Max right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Mad Max runs 1h 31m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 9/10: a faster-moving watch.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Mad Max. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 6.7/10 from 5,203 votes. Updated Nov 13, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing9/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary2/10
Violence8/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Mad Max
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Low budget classic that is now a genre landmark.”
Viewer reaction
“It's not often that these dystopian scenarios ever leave the USA, so it's interesting that this one introduces us to the massive expanse of the…”
Viewer reaction
“Though I had only seen the previous installment, 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome', which I enjoyed whilst a great many people didn't, with the present sequel…”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“Who'd have thought we'd still be talking about a $350,000 film, 40 years after it was made?”
Viewer reaction
“For whatever reason, never had seen the original and doesn't disappoint, some good action and gut wrenching scenes defying the rules of killing pets and…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“The Nightrider, that is his name. The Nightrider.”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherMax RockatanskyMax Rockatansky appears across 3 MoviHero films from 1979-2015, portrayed by Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide otherJessie RockatanskyJessie Rockatansky in Mad Max (1979), played by Joanne Samuel.Open character guide otherToecutterToecutter in Mad Max (1979), played by Hugh Keays-Byrne.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEIsolation
2026·Science Fiction · Thriller · Action
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEGlasses
2026·Science Fiction · Thriller
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Phenomenon of Presence
2026·Science Fiction · Thriller