The Madea movies, a popular comedy franchise, have become a household name thanks to the creative genius, Tyler Perry. Known for their feel-good and irreverent humor, the films feature Mabel “Madea” Simmons, a no-nonsense, tough-loving character portrayed by Perry himself. Over the years, the Madea film franchise has grown to include several movies, stage plays, and even TV shows.
Here are all of Perry’s “Madea” movies in order:
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
“Diary of a Mad Black Woman” is a 2005 romantic comedy-drama film that marked the beginning of Tyler Perry’s successful Madea film franchise. Directed by Darren Grant and written by Perry himself, the story was inspired by a play of the same name.
In this film, Madea, played by Tyler Perry, is a tough, elderly black woman who serves as the main comedic element. The story revolves around Helen, portrayed by Kimberly Elise, who lives in Atlanta and is married to Charles, played by Steve Harris.
Charles is a successful lawyer who shocks Helen by announcing his intention to end their marriage on their 18th wedding anniversary. He leaves her for another woman named Lisa, played by Lisa Marcos, showcasing a theme of infidelity. As Helen struggles to cope with her shattered life, she leans on her eccentric grandmother, Madea, for support.
Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)
“Madea’s Family Reunion,” released on February 24, 2006, is a comedy-drama-romance film which follows Madea as she deals with multiple issues while planning her family reunion.
The film is a sequel to “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and features a stellar cast, including Blair Underwood and Lynn Whitfield. Produced independently by Lionsgate, Madea’s Family Reunion achieved a respectable box-office success, grossing $63.4 million worldwide on a $6 million budget.
Unlike its predecessor, “Madea’s Family Reunion” received a mixed-to-negative response from critics. It has a IMDb rating of 5.3 out of 10. Despite the critiques, the film has developed a fanbase over the years, and the character of Madea remains iconic in popular culture.
Meet the Browns (2008)
“Meet the Browns” is a 2008 American romantic comedy-drama film released by Lionsgate on March 21, 2008. Set in Atlanta, it features a guest appearance by Madea, a character portrayed by Tyler Perry. Although not fully a Madea production, her hilarious cameo adds to the film’s comedic aspect.
In “Meet the Browns,” Angela Bassett stars as a single mother who takes her family to Georgia for the funeral of her father, a man she never met. During this journey, they encounter the crass and fun-loving Brown family.
Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
“Madea Goes to Jail” is a 2009 American comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry’s 2006 play. In this installment, the audience follows Madea as she finds herself in jail.
The story is set in Atlanta, where Madea’s quick temper lands her in trouble with the law. While in jail, she meets a variety of mixed-up characters, including a troubled young woman named Nikki.
Tyler Perry’s portrayal of Madea provides a comedic relief, with her distinct personality and humorous antics. The film explores themes such as redemption, forgiveness, and the importance of family, while maintaining its comedic nature.
I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)
“I Can Do Bad All By Myself” is a 2009 American romantic musical comedy-drama film released on September 11, 2009. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson alongside Tyler Perry.
The story revolves around Madea catching sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Madea delivers the young delinquents to their only living relative, their Aunt April.
April, a heavy-drinking nightclub singer, is dependent on her married boyfriend, Randy. Initially resistant, she eventually learns to care for the children. While the film follows a somewhat formulaic and predictable structure, Perry succeeds in blending broad humor with sincere sentimentality.
Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011)
“Madea’s Big Happy Family” is a 2011 comedy film which centers on Madea striving to bring her fighting family together for a dinner to discuss the health of her niece, Shirley. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes and is rated PG-13.
When Shirley’s adult children become too preoccupied with their own lives, Madea, along with rowdy Aunt Bam, takes charge to bring the family back together. The movie addresses various issues faced by the family members, including health problems, relationship conflicts, and financial struggles.
Madea’s Witness Protection (2012)
“Madea’s Witness Protection” is a 2012 American comedy film which marks the fourteenth film by Perry and serves as the seventh installment in the Madea cinematic universe. The film features an ensemble cast including Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards, Doris Roberts, Romeo Miller, Tom Arnold, John Amos, and Marla Gibbs.
The plot revolves around a Wall Street banker, George Needleman (Eugene Levy), who unknowingly becomes involved in his company’s mob-backed Ponzi scheme. Once discovered, George and his family are relocated to Aunt Madea’s southern home for their protection.
As the Needleman family adjusts to Madea’s rules and the southern lifestyle, they find themselves facing unexpected challenges, humorous situations, and ultimately discovering what truly matters in life.
A Madea Christmas (2013)
“A Madea Christmas” is a 2013 American Christmas comedy film that showcases Madea’s unique brand of holiday spirit.
In the movie, Madea accompanies her niece, Eileen, to the small town of Buck Tussel to pay a surprise visit to Eileen’s daughter, Lacey. Madea’s presence in the rural town leads to many comedic moments and heartwarming life lessons, enriched with her loud, humorous, and often outrageous personality.
Besides making audiences laugh out loud, “A Madea Christmas” also delivers Tyler Perry’s well-known messages of love and forgiveness. Madea, with her usual southern “hallelujer” catchphrase, brings a fresh perspective to the holiday season and the importance of cherishing family and friends.
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Tough Love (2015)
“Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Tough Love,” released on January 20, 2015, is a unique addition to the Madea franchise. It is the first animated Madea film created by Tyler Perry Studios, with the beginning and ending scenes presented in live-action.
In this movie, Madea is on a mission to save the Moms Mabley Youth Center from being closed down. With her signature confrontational style, Madea takes on this challenge while also providing laughter and entertainment for the audience.
The animated adventure, directed by Frank Marino and Ben Gluck, features the vocal talents of Tyler Perry himself as Madea, alongside Cassi Davis and Rolonda Watts. The runtime of the movie is approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes, with a PG rating.
Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016)
“Boo! A Madea Halloween” is a 2016 American comedy horror film set in Atlanta, which involves Madea landing in the midst of mayhem during a haunted Halloween. She fends off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, ghouls, and zombies while keeping a watchful eye on her wild teenage great-niece and her friends.
Notably, the idea for “Boo! A Madea Halloween” originated from a fictitious Madea Halloween movie mentioned in Chris Rock’s 2014 film “Top Five.” The success of the film led to the creation of a sequel, “Boo 2! A Madea Halloween,” released in 2017.
As part of the larger Madea Universe, “Boo! A Madea Halloween” continues the tradition of blending humor with real-life issues, often leaving the audience with valuable lessons on family, responsibility, and self-respect.
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017)
“Boo 2! A Madea Halloween” is the sequel to 2016’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” The movie follows Madea, Bam, Hattie, and Joe as they find themselves in a haunted campground filled with monsters, goblins, and ghouls on Halloween night.
Complications arise as Madea’s group tries to escape the chaos, providing plenty of humor alongside the thriller aspects. The film delivers the signature comedic timing of the Madea franchise, with a mix of supernatural elements, creating a uniquely entertaining comedy-horror film.
A Madea Family Funeral (2019)
“A Madea Family Funeral” is a 2019 comedy film which marks the 11th movie in the Madea franchise. Set in Atlanta, the movie blends humor and drama as Madea and her crew find themselves unexpectedly planning a funeral that may reveal hidden family secrets.
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes, and it received a 4.6/10 rating on IMDb. Despite its generally negative reviews from critics, it grossed $75.8 million worldwide.
A Madea Homecoming (2022)
A Madea Homecoming is a 2022 American comedy film in the Madea universe. The cast includes Cassi Davis-Patton, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Gabrielle Dennis, Brendan O’Carroll, and Perry himself as Madea.
The storyline follows Madea as she prepares to welcome her family for a homecoming celebration. Along the way, she is joined by a new friend, played by Brendan O’Carroll, adding to the hilarity of the film.
Tyler Perry’s portrayal of the iconic character Madea adds to the long list of movies in the popular franchise. Known for combining laughter with valuable life lessons, Madea movies have been entertaining audiences for nearly two decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest Madea film released?
The most recent Madea movie is “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming.” It was released in 2023 and began streaming on Netflix at that time.
Which Madea movies are available on Netflix?
As of September 11, 2023, the only Madea movie available on Netflix is the latest release, “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming.” The other films in the series are not currently available on the platform.
Which is the funniest Madea movie?
Determining the funniest Madea movie is subjective, as different viewers have their own opinions and preferences. However, some popular choices for the funniest Madea movie include “Madea Goes to Jail,” “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” and “A Madea Homecoming.”
What is the title of the first Madea movie?
The first Madea movie is titled “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” which was released in 2005. It was based on Tyler Perry’s play of the same name, originally produced in 2001.
