The animated film Madagascar was first released in 2005.
DreamWorks Animation produced the film, which follows four Central Park Zoo animals—Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria—after they reach the island of Madagascar. The film was directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and became one of DreamWorks’ major animated successes.
Madagascar opened in the United States on May 27, 2005. Its story combines New York City zoo life with a fictionalized comic adventure involving lemurs, fossas and the animals’ struggle to adapt to the wild. The movie’s success led to several sequels and spin-offs.
The year can be confused with the release dates of later entries: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa arrived in 2008, while Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted followed in 2012. A television series and a Penguins of Madagascar feature spin-off expanded the same franchise.