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By Animegirl4u Editorial3 entries
The Madagascar franchise follows a group of zoo animals from New York's Central Park Zoo who find themselves thrust into the wild. The films begin with their accidental shipwreck on the island of Madagascar, continue with their journey to the African continent, and follow their adventures across Europe as they still try to find a way home. These entries connect through a continuous character-driven narrative focusing on friendship, adaptation, and the struggle to return to captivity. Watching these films in order is essential to follow the character arcs and ongoing quest of Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria as they navigate each new environment and reunite with the penguins and chimps.
Madagascar
Movie, 2005
This foundational film starts the franchise by introducing the four animal friends and showing their journey from the Central Park Zoo to the island of Madagascar.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Movie, 2008
This direct sequel follows the animals as they attempt to leave Madagascar in a repaired plane and land on the African continent, encountering their own species.
Read what its ending meant, or search for another franchise.
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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Movie, 2012
This third installment continues the quest to return to New York, forcing the animal pals to take a detour through Europe while pursued by a French animal-control officer.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madagascar | Movie | 2005 | ★ 6.9 | Not yet |
| 2 | Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa | Movie | 2008 | ★ 6.5 | Not yet |
| 3 | Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted | Movie | 2012 | ★ 6.6 | Not yet |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
You should start with the original 2005 movie, Madagascar. It introduces the main animal characters at the Central Park Zoo and establishes their unexpected journey into the wild.
Yes, release order is recommended because the films follow a continuous narrative arc about the animals trying to return to New York, building directly on character relationships and previous events.
None of the entries can be skipped if you want to follow the complete overarching storyline of the animals attempting to get back to the Central Park Zoo.
Watch in this order: 1. Madagascar, 2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, 3. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.
This guide lists 3 entries, released between 2005 and 2012.
Madagascar has the highest average rating in this guide, at 6.9 out of 10.