| Maximilian III Joseph | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Georg Desmarées | |
| Elector of Bavaria | |
| Reign | 20 January 1745 – 30 December 1777 |
| Predecessor | Charles Albert |
| Successor | Charles Theodore |
| Born | 28 March 1727 Munich, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 30 December 1777 (aged 50) Munich, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| House | Wittelsbach |
| Father | Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Mother | Maria Amalia of Austria |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Maximilian III Joseph (28 March 1727 – 30 December 1777), also known by his epithet "the much beloved" was a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Bavaria from 1745 to 1777. He was the last of the Bavarian branch of the House of Wittelsbach and because of his death, the War of Bavarian Succession broke out.