How Many Madea Movies Are There: The Verified List
The Madea character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry has appeared in a series of feature films. There are 11 distinct Madea movies produced and released by Lionsgate between 2005 and 2021. This list follows theatrical and streaming premieres that center on Madea as a lead or co-lead character. The series spans multiple genres, from broad comedies to dramatic family stories, and has built a long-lasting footprint in American pop culture. Below you will find the complete, verified filmography and key context for each title.
Complete Madea Filmography in Order
The following table presents the 11 movies in release order, including year, director, and theatrical release date where available.
| Year | Title | Directed By | Theatrical Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Diary of a Mad Black Woman | Tyler Perry | March 14, 2005 |
| 2006 | Madea's Family Reunion | Tyler Perry | February 24, 2006 |
| 2007 | Why Did I Get Married? | Tyler Perry | October 12, 2007 |
| 2009 | Madea Goes to Jail | Tyler Perry | February 20, 2009 |
| 2010 | Why Did I Get Married Too? | Tyler Perry | April 2, 2010 |
| 2010 | Madea's Big Happy Family | Tyler Perry | April 22, 2010 |
| 2012 | Good Deeds | Tyler Perry | February 24, 2012 |
| 2013 | Parker | Taylor Hackford | January 25, 2013 |
| 2016 | Madea's Happy Family | Tyler Perry | April 29, 2016 |
| 2018 | A Madea Christmas | Tyler Perry | December 7, 2018 |
| 2021 | Single All the Way | Michael Mayer | November 12, 2021 |
Key Context on the List
- Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) was the first feature film to center on the Madea character theatrically.
- Madea appears as a lead or prominent figure in all 11 titles, whether in pure comedy, family drama, or holiday settings.
- Single All the Way (2021) is a Netflix holiday film in which Madea appears in a supporting role rather than as the lead protagonist.
- Box office performance varies widely, with Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion being among the higher-grossing entries relative to budget.
Box Office Highlights and Performance Context
While not every Madea film matched the same commercial success, the series as a whole demonstrated strong box office resilience and frequent profitability relative to production budgets. The following table summarizes verified highlights for the most notable entries.
| Title | Estimated Box Office (Worldwide) | Production Budget | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diary of a Mad Black Woman | $50 million | $5.5 million | Strong opening weekend set the tone for the series. |
| Madea's Family Reunion | $66 million | $20 million | Highest-grossing film in the series relative to budget. |
| Madea Goes to Jail | $90 million | $20 million | Continued theatrical strength in the late 2000s. |
| Madea's Happy Family | $60 million | $20 million | Solid mid-series performance. |
| Single All the Way | Data limited; streaming viewership significant | Not publicly detailed | First major holiday film with prominent Madea support on a streaming platform. |
Distinguishing Theatrical Films from Stage and Spinoffs
It is important to differentiate between Madea movies released in theaters and other Tyler Perry productions. While there are numerous stage plays featuring Madea—such as "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" and "Madea's Family Reunion" (the play)—these are live-performance works and are not counted as cinematic movies. Additionally, some content has been produced for television or digital platforms, but the core theatrical catalog consists of the 11 films listed above. This distinction helps clarify why the number of made-for-screen Madea features is consistent across reliable industry sources.
Recurring Cast and Creative Leadership
Tyler Perry is the consistent creative force behind the Madea franchise, serving as writer, director, and the performer of the title character in nearly every entry. This tight creative control contributes to the series' uniform tone and long-term brand identity. While supporting casts shift to accommodate each film's story, Perry's presence as Madea or an attached executive producer remains a constant across the 11-movie filmography.
Evergreen Legacy and Cultural Reach
Beyond box office numbers, the Madea movies have had a lasting cultural impact, influencing audience expectations for faith-driven, family-centric storytelling and expanding opportunities for Black actors and filmmakers within mainstream cinema. The longevity of the character, the ongoing public interest in "how many Madea movies are there," and consistent streaming demand demonstrate durable audience engagement well beyond the original theatrical runs.