On what date was the animated film Madagascar released in the United States?

The animated film Madagascar was released in the United States on May 27, 2005.

DreamWorks Animation produced the film, which follows four zoo animals—Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria—after they are transported from New York to Madagascar. The movie was directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and became the starting point for a major animated franchise.

The U.S. release date is sometimes confused with the film’s international rollout, because Madagascar opened in other territories on different dates. Its production and marketing schedule also led to occasional confusion with the 2008 sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Madagascar’s success led to two main-film sequels, a television series centered on the penguins, and the feature spin-off Penguins of Madagascar. The original film’s release date therefore marks the beginning of the screen franchise, not merely the arrival of one standalone movie.