‘Mad Max’ Sequels On Hold
George Miller’s latest venture into the “Mad Max” franchise with “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” has stumbled at the box office, underperforming in its second weekend.
According to Deadline, the film is expected to secure a second-place finish with a mere $10 million take, marking a significant 60% drop from its opening weekend. “Furiosa” has garnered $38.9 million in its first week, trailing 39% behind the initial week earnings of 2015’s “Mad Max: Fury Road,” which pulled in $63.4 million. This lackluster performance has cast a shadow over future “Mad Max” projects, leading to their indefinite suspension.
Several issues have plagued “Furiosa” since its release, leading to its disappointing turnout. Despite a hefty budget of around $300 million, including marketing costs, the film managed only $30 million over the Memorial Day weekend—an historically low figure for that holiday and the worst in forty years.
A significant factor contributing to this poor performance is the absence of the central character, Mad Max, which alienated fans who expected to see him in a prominent role. Additionally, the film’s marketing efforts failed to resonate with a broad audience, reflected in the skewed demographic split of 71% male and 29% female viewers, compared to the more balanced 60% male and 40% female audience of “Fury Road.”
The failure of “Furiosa” can also be attributed to audience fatigue with “girl boss” movies, a trend that has seen mixed success. While exceptions like the “Barbie” movie have performed well, many feminist-oriented films have struggled at the box office.
This trend began with reboots such as “Ghostbusters” (2016) and “The Force Awakens,” which were criticized for replacing iconic male characters with female ones. Interestingly, “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) could be seen as an early example of this trend, where Mad Max was overshadowed by the female protagonist, Furiosa. However, the feminist subtext was less apparent to audiences at the time. In today’s climate, viewers are more critical and less willing to support films perceived as pushing an agenda over-delivering entertainment.
Audiences have grown weary of perceived “bait and switch” tactics, where established male characters are replaced with female ones without substantial narrative justification.
This approach often pairs with unengaging films, leaving audiences feeling preached to rather than entertained. Despite favorable reviews, “Furiosa” has struggled to capture audience interest.
The poor performance of “Furiosa” has led to the suspension of future “Mad Max” projects, including “Mad Max: The Wasteland.” This decision highlights a broader industry trend where financial performance directly influences the continuation of franchises. As audiences become more discerning, studios may need to shift back to prioritizing storytelling and character development over perceived ideological messaging.