Madagascar

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Madagascar

PG

Released May 27, 2005

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

192 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends -- Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo -- have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape -- with the help of some prodigious penguins -- to explore the world.

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Critics Consensus

Though its story is problematic in spots and its humor is hit-or-miss for the adult crowd, Madagascar boasts impressive visuals and enough spunky charm to keep children entertained.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Boring and bedraggled.

Nov 16, 2011

Full Review

Erin Clements

Time Out

Lame scatalogical gags and worn pop-culture parodies abound, but the CGI animation romp is somewhat redeemed by the scene-stealing appearances of several supporting characters.

Sep 20, 2008

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Doesn't really live up to the promise that the idea and voice talent deserve. But it's still spirited, amiable, featherweight summer fun.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 7, 2006

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Not only is the film forgettable, it’s gallingly despicable.

Rated: 1/4

Mar 9, 2024

Full Review

Olly Richards

Sunday Times (UK)

The voice cast — Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen — is inspired and the jokes are absolutely packed in.

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

Madagascar is a fantastic animated feature that is a great example of DreamWorks Animation during the peak of their early years.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 9, 2022

Full Review

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Debbie

Perfect movie for the kids and some of us "young at heart". The kids thought it was great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

stephan C

Both kids and adults can enjoy this movie. Plenty of action.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/21

Full Review

Speakerman G

Esse filme é deslumbrante e incrível. A premissa é interessante e o filme tem ótimas aventuras, mas tem algo vazio que faz o filme não ser 5 estrelas..

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

SL G

It was a good movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Stelio K

Madagascar bursts off the screen like a party for your funny bone. The film’s irresistible charm lies in its rapid-fire dialogue and clever character interactions, transforming a zoo break-out into a hilarious odyssey. From the moment four pampered New York animals tumble into the wild, the screenplay’s sharp wit keeps the laughs rolling. The real magic happens whenever Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria trade barbs. Alex’s star-struck bewilderment plays perfectly against Marty’s sardonic quips. Melman’s hypochondriac woes elicit sympathetic chuckles, especially when hijacked by King Julien’s madness. Gloria’s sassy comebacks ground the group’s chaos with heartfelt levity. Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith deliver pitch-perfect comedic timing. Their distinct rhythms and improv-flavored energy elevate mundane zoo routines into laugh-out-loud set pieces. Together, they turn an animated adventure into an improv showcase. Madagascar’s humor never feels dated because it balances clever wordplay with universal fish-out-of-water scenarios. Its quotable one-liners and vibrant pace appeal to both kids and adults, ensuring family movie nights remain filled with giggles and groans alike.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Alejandro S

es muy buena pelicula y entretenida

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

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Eric Darnell

Director

Tom McGrath

Director

Ben Stiller

Alex the Lion

Chris Rock

Marty the Zebra

David Schwimmer

Melman the Giraffe

Jada Pinkett Smith

Gloria the Hippo

Madagascar: Official Clip - Penguin Boat Takeover

2:53

Madagascar: Official Clip - Caught in Grand Central Station

3:45

Madagascar: Official Clip - A Toast to Alex

2:49

Madagascar: Official Clip - Alex Goes Crazy

0:00

Madagascar: Official Clip - Penguins to the Rescue

3:13

Madagascar: Official Clip - I Like to Move It Move It

2:43

Madagascar: Official Clip - Shipped to Africa

2:10

Madagascar: Official Clip - What a Wonderful World

2:07

Madagascar: Official Clip - On the Beach

3:09

Madagascar: Official Clip - Crying Mort

3:42

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Movieclips: Madagascar - Best Scenes

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Synopsis

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends -- Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo -- have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape -- with the help of some prodigious penguins -- to explore the world.

Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Producer: Teresa Cheng, Mireille Soria
Screenwriter: Mark Burton, Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG
Rating: PG (Mild Language|Crude Humor|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $193.1M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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