“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is the latest entry in George Miller’s science fiction franchise, but unfortunately, it may very well be the last instalment, at least for a while. The movie is already facing a major box office disappointment in a year marked by significant declines in box office performance across the board. Despite Furiosa’s otherwise positive reception, this outcome, while unexpected and disheartening, does make some sense.
The Mad Max franchise is well-known among certain groups of moviegoers, but it’s far from being a major pop culture staple on the scale of Marvel, DC properties, or even Star Wars and Star Trek. In fact, the last two movies in the Mad Max saga were box office disappointments themselves, primarily due to their budgets. Therefore, it’s highly questionable whether Furiosa ever had a chance at becoming a hit.
Furiosa’s Box Office Becomes Part of the Wasteland!
Released at the end of May 2024, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” came nearly 10 years after its predecessor, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Ironically, it’s a prequel to that film, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as the younger Furiosa. Despite receiving positive reviews and being praised by fans and critics alike as a worthy entry in the franchise, the movie has struggled to draw audiences to theaters. Among its admirers are notable Japanese creators like Hideo Kojima and Tetsuo Hara, the creator of “Fist of the North Star,” an anime and manga series heavily inspired by “Mad Max.” Sadly, this acclaim hasn’t translated into box office success, making “Furiosa” one of many financial misfires at the 2024 box office.
So far, “Furiosa” has grossed $145 million globally, falling short of its $168 million production budget—not to mention additional marketing costs. The general rule of thumb in the film industry is that movies need to make twice their production budget to break even and three times to become truly profitable. This means “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” needs to reach at least $420 million to be considered a hit. Given its current performance, even $200 million seems unlikely, positioning the movie as a major box office bomb.
Earlier Mad Max Movies Were Low Budget Movies
The original “Mad Max” movie, released in 1979, had a modest production budget of just $400,000 AUD (less than $250,000 USD). Despite this, it went on to make $100 million USD at the box office, becoming a major hit. Its sequel, “Mad Max 2” (also known as “The Road Warrior”), was made for $4 million AUD (around $3 million USD) and earned 12 times that amount at the box office. These low-budget dystopian films set a precedent for the series, which became known for their high profitability relative to their production costs.
Unfortunately, once the series began to deviate from this successful formula, it set the stage for the financial struggles faced by “Furiosa.” “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome,” released in 1985, had a production budget of $10 million USD. Although it was positively received and made $36 million USD, the increased budget prevented it from being considered a financial hit. Following this, the franchise went on a 30-year hiatus until the release of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in 2015.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” was highly acclaimed for its special effects and car-based action, with many considering it the best in the series. However, it came with a significant budget increase, reportedly costing over $185 million USD to produce. Despite making $380 million USD at the box office, it was viewed as a flop due to its high production costs. The film only turned a profit through DVD sales, a market that is much less lucrative today, making it unlikely that “Furiosa” will be able to follow the same path to financial recovery.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” thus finds itself on shaky ground. Released in May 2024, nearly a decade after “Fury Road,” the prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a younger Furiosa. Despite positive reviews from fans and critics, including praise from notable Japanese creators like Hideo Kojima and Tetsuo Hara, it has struggled at the box office. With a global gross of $145 million USD, it falls short of its $168 million USD production budget, excluding marketing costs. To break even, the film needs to make twice its production budget, and three times that to be considered truly profitable. This means “Furiosa” would need to reach at least $420 million USD, a target that seems increasingly unlikely given its current performance. As it stands, “Furiosa” is poised to become another box office bomb for the franchise.
What Will Happen to the Mad Max Franchise?
The future of the Mad Max franchise, and any further appearances by Furiosa, remains uncertain. Mainstream audiences have shown little interest in the series, which might be too niche and quirky to sustain a consistent run of blockbusters. This lack of interest extends to Furiosa herself, who hasn’t captured the public’s imagination either with or without Mad Max. However, there is a potential way to save the franchise: by lowering the budget.
The original trilogy was devoid of the extravagant and expensive vehicular scenes that have come to characterize the more recent entries. By stripping away these costly elements, the franchise can return to its roots, telling more grounded and less over-the-top stories. This approach would significantly reduce production costs, which is crucial for achieving box office profitability. Such a strategy could pave the way for another Furiosa spinoff or even a new entry that moves the story beyond “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
A final film could bring a sense of closure to the series, potentially showcasing the last days of Max Rockatansky, Imperator Furiosa, or both. This definitive ending could be more satisfying than concluding on a financial disappointment like “Furiosa.” Given the current state of the franchise, a back-to-basics approach that tells a more personal yet still entertaining story with Mad Max and Furiosa might be the best way forward. This strategy not only has the potential to turn a profit but also to give the beloved franchise a fitting conclusion, honouring its legacy while delivering a final, impactful chapter.
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