Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

After the penguins jury-rig a crashed plane, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria and the rest of the New York zoo crew finally leave Madagascar and fly toward what they hope will be safety. The shabby aircraft manages to keep them airborne long enough to reach the African mainland, where the animals confront deserts, rivers and a very different social order. Alex faces the shock of meeting other lions, Marty explores life among zebras, and old tensions and loyalties get tested as the group adapts to wide open spaces while weighing whether their city life or this new world feels like home.

Released in 2008, the sequel was directed by Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell, with story roots from creator Etan Cohen. DreamWorks Animation returned the original voice cast, keeping the film in line with the franchise's established tone and style.

The movie was a solid box office performer, attracting large family audiences around the world and helping to cement Madagascar as one of DreamWorks' dependable franchises during the late 2000s.

Characters like Alex, Marty, Gloria, King Julien and the penguins became instantly recognizable, and this installment reinforced the brand's appeal. The penguins in particular grew into breakout figures, later inspiring additional TV projects and merchandising that extended the franchise beyond the theatrical films.

Critical response was mixed to positive, and audiences were generally warmer, reflected in its average vote of about 6.5 out of 10. Reviewers praised the humor, voice performances and lively animation while noting the plot sometimes favored spectacle over depth. The film leans on themes of identity, belonging and the idea that home can mean different things for different characters, wrapped in broad comedy meant to entertain both kids and adults.