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Mad Max (1979)

Low-Budget Success

Mad Max

Action

|

1979

|

Australia

A $300K Australian road rage thriller that roared to $100M worldwide.

Production Facts

Director:

George Miller

Starring:

Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley

Distribution:

Roadshow Entertainment / Warner Bros.

Platform:

Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Max

Budget:

$300,000

Gross:

$99,997,000

ROI:

333×

Key Lesson:

You don’t need big stars or gear — you need tension, timing, and a story people talk about. Peli shot this entirely in his home with a consumer camcorder and built terror from atmosphere. The film’s viral word-of-mouth campaign redefined how indie horror could reach audiences.

Legacy:

Spawned a billion-dollar franchise, revived found-footage horror, and proved that creative storytelling can outperform CGI-heavy blockbusters. A landmark example for filmmakers on how to leverage simplicity and authenticity into massive profit.

IMDB:

/ 10

📊

+

Audience Ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Mad Max cost to make?

The film was produced for around A$350,000 (roughly US $300,000 at the time).

How much money did Mad Max make worldwide?

It earned over $100 million globally, holding the record for most profitable film for decades.

Why is Mad Max a milestone in indie filmmaking?

It proved that bold direction and practical execution can create blockbuster-level impact on a tiny budget.

Where can I watch Mad Max today?

It’s available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Max (HBO Max).