Anya Taylor-Joy is having a banner year in 2026, and her latest triumph comes from an unexpected place: the streaming charts. Her 2024 sci-fi epic Furiosa, which flopped hard in theaters, has found a second life on HBO Max, where it's been a top-10 staple for most of the year. It's a redemption arc that's turning a box office disaster into a streaming victory.
For those who missed it, Furiosa is the Anya Taylor-Joy prequel to the Mad Max saga, directed by George Miller. It came with a massive $168 million budget, meaning it needed to gross over $300 million worldwide just to break even. Instead, it pulled in only $174 million globally, leaving Warner Bros. with an estimated loss of over $100 million. It was one of the biggest bombs of the decade.
But streaming has been kind to Furiosa. Since landing on HBO Max, the film has consistently ranked in the platform's top 10, drawing in viewers who skipped it in theaters. This digital resurgence is a testament to the film's quality and the star power of Taylor-Joy, who has become one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood.
2026 has been a whirlwind for Taylor-Joy. She kicked off the year with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which became the first film of 2026 to cross $1 billion at the global box office. She also returned to Apple TV+ for the hit crime thriller Lucky, and her previous Apple TV+ film The Gorge remains one of the platform's most-watched movies ever. Now, with Furiosa dominating HBO Max, she's proving she can conquer both the big and small screens.
The success of Furiosa on streaming raises questions about the future of the Mad Max franchise. George Miller has confirmed he's written a script for another installment, but Warner Bros. has reportedly passed on distributing it, still smarting from the financial hit. That means the next Mad Max movie would need a new studio to back it, and there's no word yet on when or if that might happen.
For now, fans can enjoy Furiosa on HBO Max and celebrate Taylor-Joy's continued rise. Her ability to turn a box office flop into a streaming hit is a rare feat, and it's a sign of her enduring appeal. As she gears up for Dune: Part Three, set for a December 18 release alongside Avengers: Doomsday, it's clear that 2026 is only the beginning of her dominance.
Stay tuned for more updates on Taylor-Joy's projects and the future of Mad Max.
