If you want to experience the full Madagascar story from beginning to end — including the moments before the main characters arrive on the island and everything that comes after — here’s the correct order to follow.
Start with the lemur prequel, continue with the main trilogy, and finish with the spin-offs and series.

- All Hail King Julien (2014–2017) — a prequel about how the lemur became king.
- Madagascar (2005) — the audience’s first meeting with the main characters.
- The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005) — a short about holiday chaos at the zoo.
- Merry Madagascar (2009) — a festive adventure on the island.
- Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) — a continuation of the story, set in Africa.
- The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015) — a series about the penguins, with events running parallel to the main films.
- Madly Madagascar (2013) — a Valentine’s Day-themed short.
- Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) — the final part of the main trilogy.
- Penguins of Madagascar (2014) — a full-length spin-off focused on the penguin team.
And if you’re just looking for some fun — feel free to watch in release order. That way, the story will flow easily and all the references and jokes will land exactly as intended.