If you loved
Mad Max
George Miller · Film · 1979
What hooked you in Mad Max was the visceral way societal collapse strips humanity down to its most desperate, primal instincts.
Start with the source
Inspired by
Waterworld
Kevin Reynolds · Film · 1995
Books on the same thread
The Road
Cormac McCarthy · Book · 2007
Explores: Parent-child bond, Moral ambiguity, Existential dread.
Like Mad Max, this story explores the raw, bleak reality of survival in a ruined world where moral decay and the constant threat of death dictate every single human action.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
If Mad Max hit, Where the Wild Things Are shares the thread.
The Maze Runner (Book 1)
James Dashner · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Mad Max: Survival.
If you enjoyed the high-stakes survival and constant motion of Mad Max, you will find a similar intensity in this desperate struggle to escape a lethal, trap-filled environment.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley · Book · 1932
Explores: Social Engineering, Loss of Individuality, Technological Control.
If Mad Max hit, Brave New World shares the thread.
Series on the same thread
The Walking Dead
Frank Darabont · Series · 2010
Shares 2 threads with Mad Max: Survival, Moral Decay.
This series mirrors the lawlessness found in Mad Max, focusing on how ordinary people navigate a landscape of total collapse while attempting to maintain their humanity against ruthless, predatory threats.
Fallout
Graham Wagner · Series · 2024
Shares a thread with Mad Max: Survival.
If Mad Max hit, Fallout shares the thread.
See
Steven Knight · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Mad Max: Survival.
Much like the tribal warfare seen in Mad Max, this narrative focuses on the brutal necessity of protecting one's own in a decimated world defined by scarcity and constant, violent conflict.
Mad Men
Matthew Weiner · Series · 2007
Explores: Corporate Culture, Moral Ambiguity, Changing Social Norms.
If Mad Max hit, Mad Men shares the thread.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
If Mad Max hit, Bag Man shares the thread.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If the themes of civilizational collapse in Mad Max fascinated you, these deep-dive historical analyses provide the real-world context for how societies disintegrate and the moral ambiguity that follows.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mad Max a movie about motorcycle gangs?
Yes, Mad Max is a 1979 film by George Miller that depicts a near-future world where a savage motorcycle gang terrorizes civilians. The story focuses on the conflict between this ruthless group and a police force attempting to stop their violence on the streets.
Should I watch Waterworld if I enjoyed Mad Max?
If you enjoyed the ravaged near-future setting of Mad Max, Waterworld is a logical next choice. Both films explore societies pushed to the brink of collapse where lawlessness dominates the landscape and survivors must navigate a dangerous and unforgiving environment.
What is the premise of the original Mad Max film?
Mad Max, released in 1979, follows a police force struggling to maintain order in a ravaged near-future. The plot centers on the group's efforts to combat a savage motorcycle gang that tears up the streets and terrorizes innocent civilians throughout the region.
Does Mad Max feature a police force?
Yes, the 1979 film Mad Max features a police force that is hell-bent on stopping a ruthless motorcycle gang. The narrative highlights the tension between these law enforcement officers and the gang members who rule the roads in the film's near-future setting.