The Madea Cinematic Universe: Every Movie And TV Show Ranked, Plus The New 2025 Netflix Film

The Madea Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to expand, proving that the tough-talking, gun-toting, and ultimately loving grandmother, Mabel "Madea" Simmons, is an unstoppable cultural force. As of December 2025, the franchise spans over a dozen films, multiple stage plays, and appearances in various television series, cementing Tyler Perry’s legacy as a media mogul. The latest buzz surrounds her return in the highly anticipated Netflix film, Madea's Destination Wedding, which is set to premiere in 2025.

This article provides the definitive, chronological guide to every Madea movie and TV show appearance, offering fans a roadmap through the hilarious and often dramatic world created by Tyler Perry. We also dive into the future of the franchise and the man behind the iconic character.

Tyler Perry: The Billionaire Mogul Behind Madea’s Mask

Mabel Earlene "Madea" Simmons is the most famous creation of writer, director, producer, and actor Tyler Perry, but she is just one facet of his sprawling entertainment empire. Perry has built a powerful brand centered on faith-based storytelling, humor, and drama, primarily targeting African-American audiences.

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• Full Name: Emmitt Perry Jr. (Legally changed to Tyler Perry)
• Born: September 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Primary Roles: Actor, filmmaker, playwright, producer, author.
• Madea Debut: The stage play I Can Do Bad All by Myself (1999).
• Film Debut: Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005).
• Net Worth (2024): Tyler Perry's net worth is estimated to be around $1.4 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in entertainment.
• Studio: He owns and operates Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) in Atlanta, Georgia, a massive 330-acre complex, which is one of the largest film production facilities in the United States.
• Other Characters: Perry famously plays multiple characters in the Madea universe, including Madea, her elderly brother Joe Simmons, and her lawyer nephew Brian Simmons.

The Definitive Chronological List of Madea Movies

The Madea film franchise officially began in 2005 and has since grown into a box-office powerhouse. While the films often stand alone, watching them in release order offers the best experience for tracking the growth of the characters, including Joe, Brian, Aunt Bam, Mr. Brown, and Cora Simmons.

Here is the complete list of Madea movies by release date:

1. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005): The film that introduced Madea to the world, adapted from Perry's 1999 stage play. It follows a woman seeking revenge after her husband leaves her.
2. Madea's Family Reunion (2006): Madea is tasked with organizing a family reunion while dealing with a troubled young woman and her own legal issues.
3. Meet the Browns (2008): While Madea has a small role, this film is key for introducing the beloved characters Brown (David Mann) and Cora (Tamela Mann).
4. Madea Goes to Jail (2009): One of the most commercially successful entries, this film sees Madea sentenced to jail time after a high-speed chase and subsequent destruction of property.
5. I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009): Based on the original stage play, this film focuses on a singer (Taraji P. Henson) whose life is turned around by Madea and her family.
6. Madea's Big Happy Family (2011): Shirley, a woman battling cancer, enlists Madea's help to gather her dysfunctional family for a final dinner.
7. Madea's Witness Protection (2012): Madea and her family are forced to take in a Wall Street banker and his family under the witness protection program.
8. A Madea Christmas (2013): Madea travels to the country to help a friend surprise her daughter, leading to holiday chaos.
9. Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016): A supernatural comedy where Madea, Joe, and Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis) must fend off ghosts, killers, and zombies on Halloween night.
10. Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017): The sequel sees Madea and her crew venture to a haunted campground to save her teenage great-granddaughter, Tiffany.
11. A Madea Family Funeral (2019): Originally billed as the final film, the family travels to a small town in Georgia for a funeral that quickly spirals out of control.
12. A Madea Homecoming (2022): The "un-retirement" film, released on Netflix, centers on Madea's great-grandson's college graduation and the drama that ensues when family secrets are revealed.

What’s Next? The Future of Madea on Netflix and TV

Despite the "farewell" tour and the 2019 film A Madea Family Funeral, Tyler Perry has confirmed that the character is back for more, largely due to her massive popularity on streaming platforms like Netflix. The future of Madea is firmly planted in the digital world, with a major new film on the horizon.

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The Highly Anticipated: Madea’s Destination Wedding (2025)

The latest installment in the Madea saga, Madea's Destination Wedding, is set to premiere on Netflix in 2025. This will be Tyler Perry's sixth film for the streaming giant, following the success of A Madea Homecoming.

While specific plot details are currently under wraps, the title suggests that Madea, Joe, and the rest of the Simmons family will be traveling to an exotic location for a wedding, no doubt bringing their unique brand of chaos and wisdom to a new setting. The confirmed cast includes the familiar faces of Cassi Davis Patton as Aunt Bam, David Mann as Mr. Brown, and Tamela Mann as Cora Simmons, ensuring the beloved family dynamic remains intact.

This new movie, along with other projects like the comedy series She the People and the drama series Beauty in Black, highlights Perry’s continued strategic partnership with Netflix for his 2025 slate.

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Madea’s Television and Stage Appearances

Madea's influence extends beyond the big screen. The character has made notable appearances that are essential for any superfan to track for full topical authority:

• Tyler Perry's House of Payne (TV Series): Madea made a few guest appearances in the long-running sitcom, often to deliver her signature tough love to the Payne family.
• Meet the Browns (TV Series): The spin-off series focusing on Brown and Cora also saw Madea drop in for a few hilarious cameos.
• Madea's Farewell Play (Stage Play/BET+): After a successful live tour, the final stage run was filmed and released exclusively on BET+ in August 2020. This production was intended to be the grand finale before the character's subsequent "un-retirement."

The enduring popularity of Madea, from her early days in the stage plays to her current home on Netflix, is a testament to the powerful connection audiences have with a character who uses humor and blunt honesty to address complex family and social issues. Whether she is in jail, at a family reunion, or at a destination wedding, Madea Simmons remains the unapologetic matriarch of American comedy.