Madagascar
Performance & Direction: Madagascar Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Madagascar (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Family is often anchored by its ensemble, and Madagascar features a noteworthy lineup led by Ben Stiller . Supported by the likes of Chris Rock and David Schwimmer , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Madagascar
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2005, Madagascar is a Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy film directed by Eric Darnell. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ben Stiller.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Four 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. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Ben Stiller's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: Madagascar
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Eric Darnell, Madagascar concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to family resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Ben Stiller, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the family themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Madagascar reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Madagascar?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ben Stiller or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Madagascar
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $75.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $542.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Madagascar Budget
The estimated production budget for Madagascar is $75.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Madagascar
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Where to Watch Madagascar Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeMadagascar Parents Guide & Age Rating
2005 AdvisoryWondering about Madagascar age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Madagascar is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, Madagascar is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2005 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madagascar worth watching?
Madagascar is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Madagascar parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Madagascar identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Madagascar?
The total duration of Madagascar is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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Critic Reviews for Madagascar
A surprisingly good and very funny movie. I laughed throughout this movie. Great family movie.
"Alex" the lion is quite literally king of the castle at the Central Park zoo in New York. He even has his own, built in, tanning machine. His pals, though - well they are not so enamoured of the place. After an encounter with the penguins doing their best to tunnel to Antarctica, "Marty" the zebra yearns for the wild and decides the best he can do is a train to Connecticut. When his friends discover that he has done a bunk, "Gloria" (the hippo), "Melman" (the giraffe) and "Alex" set off in hot pursuit. They don't get very far but inadvertently they do get their wish - the humans decide that these creatures should be free and so off they are shipped. En route, the pesky penguins realise that Africa is no use to them so they commandeer the ship and divert it to chillier climes. Not before, however, the crates carrying our intrepid travellers topple overboard and end up on the island of Madagascar. There they discover the population of lemurs ruled with a rod of lettuce by "King Julius" and terrorised by the local foussa (think very small lions). Of course when we hear the animals speak, we hear words. When the other creatures hear "Alex" it is a mighty roar - just what the lemurs need to keep their foes at bay. Will the visitors settle in, or miss their home comforts and want to head back home? Will their more natural instincts start to kick in and start to test the strength of their friendships? Although there is, for me at any rate, just way too much relentless dialogue - especially from the giraffe and the zebra, this is a fun family adventure with loads of action, some enjoyable pith from quite a witty and observational script and, of course, we have the message for all to adhere to about loyalty and friendship etc... The jungle animations are fun and there are not too many songs to clutter up the steady pace of the proceedings. Makes you wonder just how many animals in a zoo would actually want to be repatriated to the wild (assuming they were ever there in the first place!) to fend for themselves!
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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