Madagascar (franchise)
Four zoo animals journey home through adventure.
Madagascar is an American media franchise of DreamWorks Animation, beginning with the 2005 animated feature film of the same name. The franchise follows four anthropomorphic Central Park Zoo animals—Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo—who are shipwrecked on Madagascar and later struggle to return to New York City, aided by a group of Adélie penguins. The films have received mixed-to-positive critical reviews and have been commercially successful, with the third installment becoming the highest-grossing in the series.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Madagascar
- Creator
- Mark Burton / Billy Frolick / Tom McGrath / Eric Darnell
- Origin
- Madagascar (2005)
- Years
- 2005–present
- Films
- Madagascar (2005) / Escape 2 Africa (2008) / Europe's Most Wanted (2012) / Spin-off film(s): / Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
- Tv Specials
- Merry Madagascar (2009)
- Plays
- Madagascar Live! (2011–2013)
- Musicals
- Madagascar: The Musical (2018)
- Soundtracks
- Madagascar (2005) / Escape 2 Africa (2008) / Europe's Most Wanted (2012) · Spin-off film soundtrack(s): / Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
- Attractions
- Madagascar: A Crate Adventure (2011–2022) / King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round (2011–2022) / Madagascar Madness (2012–2023)
- Animated Series
- The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015) / All Hail King Julien (2014–2017) / All Hail King Julien: Exiled (2017) / Madagascar: A Little Wild (2020–2022)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Madagascar franchise began in 2005 with the release of the animated feature film Madagascar, directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath. The film introduced Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), who are unexpectedly shipwrecked on the island of Madagascar after being shipped from Central Park Zoo. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $532 million worldwide.
Two sequels followed: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), in which the animals crash-land in Kenya and Alex reunites with his parents, and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012), where they join a traveling circus in Europe and finally return to New York, only to choose to stay with the circus. A spin-off film, Penguins of Madagascar (2014), focused on the penguin characters and underperformed at the box office, leading to a write-down. A fourth main film, Madagascar 4, was announced for 2018 but was removed from the schedule in 2014, before DreamWorks Animation's restructuring; as of January 2026, co-director Tom McGrath stated the studio still wants to make it if a good story exists.
The franchise also includes three television series: The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015) on Nickelodeon, All Hail King Julien (2014–2017) on Netflix, and Madagascar: A Little Wild (2020–2022) on Hulu and Peacock, as well as short films such as The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005).
Reader's Guide
The Madagascar franchise is significant as a long-running DreamWorks Animation property that expanded from a successful film series into multiple television series, short films, and a spin-off feature. Its core films grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide combined, with Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted being the highest-grossing at $746 million. The franchise's characters—particularly the penguins—became popular enough to anchor their own TV series and a feature film, though the spin-off film underperformed. The franchise's legacy includes mixed-to-positive critical reception and a notable corporate delay: the planned fourth film was shelved after DreamWorks Animation's 2015 restructuring, with no release date set as of 2026. The television series expanded the universe with prequels and side stories, maintaining the franchise's presence across multiple platforms.
Did You Know?
- The franchise's first film, Madagascar (2005), grossed over $532 million worldwide.
- Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) is the highest-grossing film in the series, with over $746 million worldwide.
- The spin-off film Penguins of Madagascar (2014) underperformed at the box office, causing DreamWorks Animation to take a $57.1 million write-down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main characters in the Madagascar franchise?
The story revolves around four Central Park Zoo animals—Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo—who get stranded on the island of Madagascar. A crew of Adélie penguins becomes their recurring ally throughout the series.
How many Madagascar movies exist and is there a fourth one?
Three theatrical features have been released so far, while a fourth installment has been announced but is stuck in indefinite delay. A 2014 spin-off, Penguins of Madagascar, also exists and puts the penguin crew front and center as its own protagonists.
Which Madagascar film is the highest-grossing?
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted leads the series at the box office with roughly $746 million in worldwide revenue. In that film, the group travels across Europe in a circus to find a route back to New York City.
What TV shows have been made based on Madagascar?
Three animated series have expanded the world: The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015), All Hail King Julien (2014–2017), and Madagascar: A Little Wild (2020–2022). They let audiences follow the penguins, King Julien, and the main quartet in shorter comedic episodes between the big-screen adventures.
What is the Madagascar franchise and where did it originate?
It is an American animated media property created by DreamWorks Animation, kicking off with a 2005 feature film of the same name. The core premise follows four zoo animals who are shipwrecked on Madagascar and then work to return to New York, blending slapstick comedy with travel-adventure storytelling.
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