It's hard to believe that acclaimed Australian filmmaker George Miller has only directed 10 feature films since his career began in 1979. Obviously favoring quality over quantity, Miller has a hall-of-fame batting average, as the creator of the groundbreaking Mad Max franchise. As some fans may know, the fifth franchise entry, Mad Max: Wasteland, has been announced, yet still awaits a production start date.
Of course, Miller has made several other non-Mad Max films over his illustrious career. With horror flicks, profound dramas, light family fare, and animated franchise features under his belt, here are George Miller's 10 best movies, according to IMDb.
Babe: Pig In The City (1998) 5.7/10
An odd transition, Miller produced the acclaimed 1995 family film, Babe. When it came time to make the sequel three years later, Pig in the City, Miller felt compelled to hop in the director's chair.
The uplifting PG film continues the charming adventures of Babe (E.G Daily), who after returning to his home following the events of the first film, makes a road trip to the nearby metropolis to help save his farm. Upon arrival in the bustling city, Babe frequents a pet-friendly hotel where he meets a slew of new pals.
Happy Feet Two (2011) 5.9/10
Unlike Babe, Miller helmed both the original and sequel to the two-part Happy Feet franchise. However, he chose different co-directors each time out. In Happy Feet Two, Miller was joined by David Peers and Gary Eck.
Story-wise, a major conflict arises when Mumble's (Elijah Wood) son Erik (Ava Acres) shows an aversion to dancing. Worse yet, when Mumble meets the flying-penguin Mighty Sven (Hank Azaria), his world is thrown for a major loop, forcing him to coalesce the penguin race and ward of an existential threat.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) 6.3/10
The lowest-rated Mad Max joint to date, according to IMDb, belongs to Beyond Thunderdome. Perhaps all good things come to an end?
Miller seemed to run out of steam with his post-apocalyptic neo-western thriller. Strangely, it's not only the first film in the franchise Miller produced, but he co-directed it, as well (along with George Ogilvie). Mel Gibson returns as the titular warrior-drifter, this time joining a band of rebel-children out to overthrow Queen Auntie Entity (Turner).
Happy Feet (2006) 6.4/10
After nearly a decade-long respite, Miller returned to the director's chair with a major change of pace in 2006. In witnessing the massive success of March of the Penguins, Miller wisely capitalized by shuffling Happy Feet to the masses.
The result? Over $380 million in worldwide tickets sold and Miller named winner of the Best Animated Feature of the Year at the 2007 Academy Awards. The film also bagged a Golden Globe for an original song recorded by the late great Prince. Not too shabby!
The Witches Of Eastwick (1987) 6.5/10
Jack Nicholson has never flashed his devilish grin more alarmingly than under the deft direction of Miller in The Witches of Eastwick. Not even as the Joker!
Indeed, as the devil incarnate in the wildly engaging dark horror-comedy, Nicholson uses his seductive charms to woo a trio of gorgeous single ladies. Based on the John Updike novel, Jane (Susan Sarandon), Sookie (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Alexandra (Cher) see their lives altered for the worse when the mysterious Daryl Van Horne arrives in their sleepy New England town.
Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) 6.5/10
When it comes to Twilight Zone: The Movie, the first thing most people discuss is the ill-fated tragedy that took actor Vic Morrow's life while filming. However, let's remember that Miller helmed easily the most frightening chapter of the horror anthology.
Indeed, "Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" is absolutely terrifying. Miller directs John Lithgow in a manically paranoid turn as an airline passenger who spots a macabre ghoul perched on the wing of the plane during a stormy night. The acting, directing, and SFX all remain top-tier, nearly 40 years later!
Mad Max (1979) 6.9/10
For many fans, a 6.9/10 rating for the trailblazing Mad Max felt absurdly low. This flick not only kickstarted a mega movie franchise but on its own standalone merits, it's considered a massive artistic achievement!
Mad Max also introduced the world to Mel Gibson as the bonafide action badass he proved to be over the next 40 years. At a brisk 88-minutes, the film tracks a vengeful cop looking to quell a violent gang in a future post-apocalyptic desert wasteland. With a price tag of roughly $300,000, Mad Max went on to gross north of $8 million globally.
Lorenzo's Oil (1992) 7.3/10
Of all Miller's films, the one that continues to fly lowest under the radar is Lorenzo's Oil. For fans and completists of Miller's work, this deeply moving drama is worthy of seeking out and enjoying.
Co-written by Miller with Nick Enright, the film concerns Lorenzo Odone, a little boy who contracts a disease so rare that no medical professional even cares to find a cure. The boy's father, Agusto (Nick Nolte), takes it upon himself to research the disease and find any means necessary of ridding it from his son's body. This is a good old-fashioned drama executed to near-perfection!
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) 7.6/10
Critics and IMDb users wisely agree that of all the Mel Gibson Mad Max flicks, The Road Warrior is by far the best of the bunch. Many fans hope that Miller brings Max back to face Furiosa in Wasteland!
In the second chapter of the franchise, Max is tasked with aiding a small community flush with gasoline fend off a vicious and violent clan of bandits. Miller does everything you'd want in a sequel, increasing the runtime, action, death count, and overall entertainment value.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) 8.1/10
Given its extremely doomed production, it's almost unthinkable to have foreseen the massive success Fury Road found in 2015. And yet, once it eventually came out, not a negative word about the film was uttered.
As a result, the film went on to win six technical Oscar Awards in 2016. The film also currently ranks #203 on IMDB's Top 250 of all time. Monetarily, Fury Road turned its hefty $150 million budget into a $375 million global grosser. Mad indeed!