The Penguins of Madagascar
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Scene-stealing schemers get their own gig; fun for kids.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Penguins of Madagascar
Community Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Report this review
Good
Report this review
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 , Wild Animals
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Animated Animal Movies
Best Animal TV Shows for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate