Director George Miller is best known for the Mad Max series of films, but his singular Oscar win actually came from a different franchise altogether, Happy Feet. With Mel Gibson in the тιтular role, the original Mad Max debuted in 1979 to critical acclaim and a successful box office run. As a result, Miller, who also served as co-writer, joined Gibson in achieving mainstream recognition. This led to several more Mad Max movies being released across the years.

The most recent of those was Mad Max: Fury Road, which came thirty years after the Tina Turner-starring third outing, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The movie saw Tom Hardy take over the тιтular role from Gibson. And he was joined by the likes of Charlize Theron as Furiosa, a character that would later receive her own prequel. Despite Mad Max: Fury Road‘s long production turnaround, it received some of the best reactions – from fans and critics alike – of the whole Mad Max franchise. Equally, Mad Max: Fury Road earned several Oscars, including those for costume design and editing. Miller, however, went away empty-handed. Thankfully, he had already earned one separate from the Mad Max franchise.

George Miller’s Happy Feet Won Best Animated Feature At The 2007 Oscars

George Miller Tap-Danced His Way Into The Academy’s Hearts

Also co-written and directed by Miller, Happy Feet was released in theaters back in 2006. The star-studded cast included the likes of Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, and the late, great, Robin Williams. Unable to sing a heartsong to attract a soulmate, emperor penguin Mumble (Wood) goes on a tap-dancing journey of self-discovery and to figure out what’s diminishing the fish population around their home. Happy Feet ended up earning a $200 million profit and receiving widespread critical acclaim.

Happy Feet also ended up taking home the Academy Award for ‘Best Animated’ Feature. It was only the fourth non-Disney or Pixar film to achieve that milestone. In that regard, it joined the likes of Shrek and Spirited Away. Though the sequel didn’t fare nearly as well, with Happy Feet 2‘s failure nearly canceling Mad Max: Fury Road, the original’s impressive achievement remains intact. And, also serving as a producer on Happy Feet, Miller was among those who got to walk away with a coveted Oscar.

George Miller’s Two Best Picture Nominations Are Very Different From Each Other

Miller Almost Walked Away With Even Bigger Oscar Prizes

Before Happy Feet, Miller also worked on another family-friendly movie: Babe. Also co-written and produced by Miller, Babe tells the story of a lovable pig that aspires to take on the responsibilities of a sheepdog. Released in 1995, it rapidly earned a profit of over $200 million and warmed the hearts of many around the world. Babe was also nominated for a slew of Oscars, including Best Picture. Unfortunately, that prize ultimately went to Braveheart and former Mad Max collaborator Mel Gibson, proving that compeтιтion was stiff that year.

Babe, like Happy Feet, was a far cry from what Miller is predominantly known for. And there’s no more proof of that than Mad Max: Fury Road living up to its тιтle. After decades away, he returned to his roots in a spectacular fashion. Equally, Miller demonstrated why stunts and choreography should have their own Academy Award category as he delivered the madcap violence and insane spectacle that people thought he had moved away from.

With “witness me” serving as Mad Max: Fury Road‘s battle-cry, the Academy did just that, rewarding Miller with a ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Picture’ nomination. Though Happy Feet remains his sole win, the world of Mad Max shows that it may not yet be his last. His body of work proves that Miller has been one of Hollywood’s most eclectic filmmakers. And still has what it takes to deliver on a family-friendly, comedic, or much more deranged level.