Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scene-stealing schemers get their own gig; fun for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Penguins of Madagascar
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Based on 62 kid reviews
Kids say this show offers a mix of humor and life lessons, with many praising its entertaining characters and clever writing. However, some parents express concerns about its slapstick violence and language, suggesting it might not be suitable for very young children despite the positive messages about teamwork and friendship that resonate well with older kids.
- funny dialogue
- positive messages
- character flaws
- age-appropriate
- slapstick violence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in the wake of the action that played out in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, this animated spin-off sets four of the film's secondary characters -- resourceful penguins Skipper (voiced by Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Jeff Bennett), Private (James Patrick Stuart), and Rico (John DiMaggio) -- firmly in the spotlight. While their other friends are living it up in darkest Africa, the flightless foursome have staked their claim in the Central Park Zoo. But now they're competing for supremacy against an old royal pain of a rival: pompous lemur "king" Julien (Danny Jacobs).
Is It Any Good?
Bottom line? Thanks to random plot lines and less-intricate animation, this Nickelodeon series isn't quite as good as the movies that inspired it. But if you love the Madagascar characters, you'll be thoroughly entertained.
Kids, especially, are bound to giggle when the penguins spring into action with the show-stealing Mission: Impossible antics that made them famous.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the cartoon critters featured in the series. Why do you think they were chosen to get their own show? How does this series compare to the Madagascar movies?
How is a real-life penguin different from the animated version? How do lemurs really live in the wild?
How do animals' lives change when they're raised in captivity? Are zoos good or bad for animals' well-being?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 29, 2008
- Cast : Danny Jacobs , Jeff Bennett , Tom McGrath
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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