While the movie franchise kicked off in 2005, Perry had been portraying Madea long before that in his traveling plays. After attending a performance of Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Oprah Winfrey brought Perry on her show in 2001. Of course, the rest is history, but what—or who, rather—inspired the oh-so-relatable grandma known for telling it like it is? “Madea is a cross between my mother and my aunt,” Perry once told 60 Minutes. “She’s the type of grandmother that was on every corner when I was growing up. She smoked. She walked out of the house with her curlers and her muumuu and she watched everybody’s kids. She didn’t take no crap.” Perry added, “She’s a strong figure where I come from. In my part of the African-American community. And I say that because I’m sure that there are some other parts of the African-American community that may be looking at me now going, ‘Who does he think he’s speaking of?’ But, for me, this woman was very, very visible.” Fans of the Madea series now have renewed interest in reliving each film in the order they are meant to be seen. Have you seen all 11 movies? Keep reading for all the Madea movies in chronological order, how they’re meant to be watched.
How many Madea movies are there?
That depends on what you consider a Madea movie. Officially there are 10. But Madea appears in other Perry films. Keep reading for the full list.
Complete list of Tyler Perry’s Madea movies, in order
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
It all started with Diary of a Mad Black Woman, a play that Perry adapted into the 2005 movie of the same name. It stars Kimberly Elise as a woman about to celebrate her 18th wedding anniversary when her husband (SteveHarris) leaves her for another woman. After seeking solace at her grandmother Madea’s house, Madea teaches her a thing or two about the meaning of “what’s mine is yours.” Cue the chainsaw scene where Madea cuts the couch in half.
Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)
Get in, shut up and hold on! A year later, Madea was back in Madea’s Family Reunion. In the second film, Madea (known to pack heat) plans a fun-filled family reunion all while taking care of her nieces and a runaway in need of a grandma’s advice, love and care.
Meet the Browns (2008)
While not technically a full-on Madea production, everyone’s favorite gun-toting granny does make a hilarious guest appearance in Meet the Browns, also based on one of Perry’s plays. Starring David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Angela Bassett, Rick Fox and Sofia Vergara, it follows the story of a single mom who meets her extended family for the first time at the funeral of her father, whom she never met.
Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
“But if the gotters get me, I’m going to get my gloc!” It’s just one of Madea’s standout lines from the fourth movie in the series, Madea Goes to Jail. As the title suggests, Madea ends up behind bars in this one where she meets a string of shady (but redeemable) characters. Meanwhile, the movie puts all Madea’s jokes aside for a whole other plotline, a more serious one, about love and sex work.
I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for—Taraji P. Henson’s entrance in the Madea franchise! Henson stars as April, an aunt who finds herself unwillingly caring for her three nieces and nephews after Madea catches them looting her home. Don’t forget that Adam Rodriguez is in this one, too, so bonus points for the tremendous eye candy.
Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011)
Can’t nobody bring a family together like Madea can! This 2011 Madea movie, based on one of Perry’s plays, is all about family as Madea herself tries to bring everyone together after one family member divulges some unfortunate health news.
Madea’s Witness Protection (2012)
Madea sure has a big family! In Madea’s Witness Protection, her nephew is a chief financial officer who discovers he’s been led into a Ponzi scheme involving the mob. To help out her family, Madea has to take her nephew (and his fam) in and keep them safe from the mob as part of the Witness Protection Program.
A Madea Christmas (2013)
Madea takes the farm in 2013’s holiday spectacular A Madea Christmas. After being bribed to go with her friend to visit her daughter, Madea finds herself spreading the unique brand of Christmas cheer only she can while spending time in the countryside.
Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016)
Madea…but make it scarier. After the success of A Madea Christmas, Perry came back with another holiday-themed Madea movie but for Halloween. When the real Perry goes out of town on Halloween night, he asks aunt Madea to keep an eye on his teenage daughter so she doesn’t wind up at a house party. Soon after, Madea finds herself face to face with ghosts, zombies and murderers in her own hilarious version of Scream.
Boo 2! A Madea Hallowen (2017)
Because one Halloween movie just wasn’t enough, a year later, Boo 2! A Madea Halloween debuted in theaters. This time, Madea and her gal-pals—Bam and Hattie—take on a haunted campground.
A Madea Family Funeral (2019)
Hallelujer! In what Perry originally claimed to be the final installment in the series of Madea (spoiler—it wasn’t), A Madea Family Funeral is the sendoff of all sendoffs. No, Madea herself doesn’t kick the bucket, but the gun-wielding grandma does take on the responsibility of planning a funeral (and keeping some shady family secrets hush-hush) when one of the fam unexpectedly dies.
A Madea Homecoming (2022)
Made you look! A Madea Family Funeral wasn’t Madea’s final film after all and a few years later, Perry came back with A Madea Homecoming. Now a Netflix movie, A Madea Homecoming follows the fan-favorite Madea character as she navigates all the family drama that ensues at her great-grandson’s college graduation celebration. Next up, Tyler Perry reveals why he retired Madea.
