Madagascar movies in order Madagascar Marathon
Page Last Modified:
21 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted - 2012
Total Runtime:
268 Minutes
Total Items:
3
Average User Score:
(7)Watching orders for Madagascar
Madagascar movies in order
Find yourself craving an evening filled with chaos, catchy tunes, and quirky animals? A Madagascar movie marathon is just what you need. From the classic Central Park Zoo to a wild circus chase across Europe, this franchise offers a whirlwind of animated excitement. But how should you watch the Madagascar movies in the right order? And where does "Penguins of Madagascar" fit in? We've got your back. Grab some popcorn, put on your zebra onesie, and put King Julien's "I Like to Move It" on repeat. Your binge starts now!
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1
Madagascar Movie 86 min. 2005Four animal friends get a taste of the wild life when they break out of captivity at the Central Park Zoo and wash ashore on the island of Madagascar.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Movie 89 min. 2008Alex, Marty, and other zoo animals find a way to escape from Madagascar when the penguins reassemble a wrecked airplane. The precariously repaired craft stays airborne just long enough to make it to the African continent. There the New Yorkers encounter members of their own species for the first time. Africa proves to be a wild place, but Alex and company wonder if it is better than their Central Park home.USER SCORE 7 -
3
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Movie 93 min. 2012Animal pals Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria are still trying to make it back to New York's Central Park Zoo. They are forced to take a detour to Europe to find the penguins and chimps who broke the bank at a Monte Carlo casino. When French animal-control officer Capitaine Chantel DuBois picks up their scent, Alex and company are forced to hide out in a traveling circus.USER SCORE 7
Madagascar (2005)
The film that started it all. Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell directed "Madagascar," which takes us into the heart of this animated series. We meet four animal friends from Central Park Zoo. Ben Stiller is perfect as Alex the Lion, and Chris Rock is hilarious as Marty the Zebra. On top of that, you'll love seeing David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith as Melman and Gloria. The movie starts out as just a simple zoo escape, but it turns into a tropical adventure with dancing lemurs, a lot of slapstick humor, and the friendship that's at the heart of the rest of the movies. Keep an eye on King Julien's rise, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. His "I Like to Move It" isn't just catchy—it became the unofficial anthem of the whole franchise.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
I'm not seeing any sequel fatigue here. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" takes the story to new heights, transporting us from an island to the African mainland. This film really goes into more detail about the main characters' backgrounds, and even Alex gets an emotional backstory moment. The film feels like a mix of "The Lion King" (but with more jokes) and a Pixar-style road trip. Alex is discovering his roots, Marty is grappling with his identity, and Melman and Gloria? They even have a romantic subplot. The cast gets bigger with Bryan Cranston playing Alex's dad, which is a great addition that you didn't see coming.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
This is where things get really wild. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" is the most colorful and chaotic part of the trilogy. Forget everything you know about gravity, logic, and circus safety. This film is a visual explosion. It was directed again by Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell. The film takes our animal friends to a new setting: the European circus world. They go undercover as performers to get back to New York and meet a new cast of eccentric animals. Picture Bryan Cranston as the troubled Vitaly the Tiger, Jessica Chastain as the sophisticated Gia the Jaguar, and Martin Short as the over-the-top Stefano the Sea Lion. And let's not forget the "Afro Circus" sequence... If you know it, you know you can't stop thinking about it.
Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
The spin-off that no one saw coming but everyone needed. "Penguins of Madagascar" is a delightful James Bond parody for all ages. It gives Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private their own film. Although this film is separate from the main trilogy, it is set canonically after "Madagascar 3." The penguins find themselves in the middle of a global conspiracy (as only they can) and face off against an octopus villain who's just as bad as Dr. Doofenshmirtz. The tone is a bit more intense and full of action, but the humor and timing are classic Madagascar. If you're a fan of the penguins, this is an essential watch. This film's brilliant teamwork and surprisingly rich world-building expand the Madagascar universe.
Bonus Material
If you're still obsessed with King Julien after all the movies, then you're in luck. Netflix has a new series called "All Hail King Julien" that's right up your alley. This prequel is set before the events of the first film and shows how Julien rises to power as king of the lemurs. The series is wonderfully over-the-top, with plenty of slapstick, tropical chaos, and of course, the best dance moves from Madagascar. Andy Richter returns as Mort, and Cedric the Entertainer is back as Maurice, which is a nice throwback. This is perfect if you want to stretch your marathon into a full binge weekend.
Madagascar: More Than Movies
The Madagascar franchise isn't just a movie series — it's a world beyond the screen. From video games to plush toys to the famous "Afro Circus" merchandise, this world is a cultural phenomenon. You might also want to check out series like "The Penguins of Madagascar," which go deeper into the adventures of the penguins in the zoo. DreamWorks has created one of their most recognizable animation brands with Madagascar. The mix of humor, adventure, colorful animation, and an unforgettable voice cast makes these films timeless. Whether you're watching for the first time or planning your tenth marathon, each rewatch brings something new. It could be an inside joke, a visual gag, or just that feeling of nostalgic comfort.
So plan that movie night, invite your crew, fire up the streaming service, and above all, remember: "Smile and wave, boys." Smile and wave."