Madagascar 20th Anniversary Theatrical re-release

Universal Pictures is proud to announce the 20th anniversary nationwide theatrical re-release of DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar. With its infectious laughs and groovy soundtrack, the beloved animated comedy adventure starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith delighted audiences around the world, launching a $1 billion franchise.

Now, as the uproarious fish-out-of-water tale celebrates its 20th anniversary, Madagascar roars back into theaters across the country on January 16, 2026, for a special limited theatrical engagement. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, the rollicking tale kicks off with Alex the lion (Stiller) enjoying his best life as the “King of New York.” The hilariously self-involved big cat is the star attraction at the Central Park Zoo, where he lives alongside his best friends—irrepressible zebra Marty (Rock), sassy hippo Gloria (Pinkett-Smith) and hypochondriac giraffe Melman (Schwimmer). Although Alex is excited to toast Marty’s 10th birthday, Marty himself is experiencing an existential crisis, feeling penned in (literally) by his days at the zoo and wondering what it might be like to roam free.

Inspired by the mischievous antics of the zoo’s penguins, an intrepid crew determined to make their way to Antarctica, Marty leaves behind his enclosure and heads for Grand Central Station to hop a train to the wild. But that single rash decision has unimaginable consequences. Once Marty’s worried friends set off on his trail, a series of mishaps lands the quartet half a world away from the comfortable confines of the zoo.

Stranded on the island nation of Madagascar off Africa’s southeastern coast, the group must rely on their instincts to survive. Encountering a colony of dancing lemurs ruled by the funky King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his loyal assistant Maurice, an aye-aye (Cedric the Entertainer), Marty couldn’t be more thrilled by his new digs. His joy turns to worry, though, as Alex’s taste for steak brings out his friend’s predatory appetites. Suddenly, the zebra begins to question whether leaving home was such a good idea after all.

Released on May 27, 2005, Madagascar enjoyed massive success with family audiences, becoming the year’s sixth highest-grossing feature with a $193.6 million North American haul. Critics raved about the cast’s endearingly comic performances, with the Los Angeles Times’ Kenneth Turan describing the film as “a good-humored, pleasant confection that has all kinds of relaxed fun bringing computer-animated savvy to the old-fashioned world of Looney Tunes cartoons,” Turan wrote. “Madagascar also benefits from not having any heavy moral to impart or life lesson to teach. It simply wants you to crack a smile, and with the expert voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith, it has no trouble managing that.”

The blockbuster hit spawned two sequels that further explored the adventures of Alex, Marty and the gang: 2008’s Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and 2012’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. Additionally, the 2014 feature spin-off Penguins of Madagascar told a standalone story starring the crafty colony of scene-stealing marine birds, who previously had starred in their own DreamWorks Animation television series on Nickelodeon.
The film’s soundtrack became one of 2005’s most popular, featuring instrumental tracks by two-time Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Dune: Part One) and Baron Cohen’s cover version of Reel 2 Reel’s dance track, “I Like to Move It.” The propulsive banger became a fixture within the Madagascar franchise.

Earning industry acclaim, Madagascar received a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Annie Awards, among several other nods. It was also nominated for a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Reel Award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors Guild, and a People’s Choice Award. Producer Mireille Soria received a Producers Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures for her work on the film.

Tickets for the theatrical re-release of Madagascar are on sale now and can be purchased here.

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