Ben Stiller’s Adventure Movie That Launched A $2.2B Franchise Resurfaces On Netflix 20 Years Later
As the sci-fi hit Severance continues to dominate Apple TV’s streaming charts, Ben Stiller’s wacky adventure movie Madagascar resurfaces on Netflix. The Zoolander actor and producer’s most impressive work has been off-camera in recent history, but people still remember him for a number of popular titles, including this flagship of the DreamWorks franchise.
Premiering in 2005, Madagascar stars Stiller as Alex the lion, Chris Rock as Marty the zebra, Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the hippo, and David Schwimmer as Melman the giraffe. This group of friends who live at the New York Central Park Zoo are launched on an adventure when Marty’s midlife crisis prompts him to attempt to visit “the wild.” The cast also includes Sacha Baron Cohen and Cedric The Entertainer.
Madagascar spawned two movie sequels, a spinoff movie, as well as multiple TV series, shorts, and specials, while the cast later expanded to include Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short, and more. Now, 2005’s Madagascar is a global streaming hit, ranking at No. 5 on Netflix worldwide as of today (December 30), per FlixPatrol.
The group of friends in Madagascar
Madagascar falls below newer Netflix hits, such as The Great Flood at No. 1, Goodbye June at No. 3, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery at No. 4. On the worldwide chart, it currently ranks above Hero Dog: The Journey Home, Uptown Girls, Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…, KPop Demon Hunters, and 2018’s Tomb Raider.
However, Madagascar is currently not available on Netflix in the United States, where audiences can stream it on Amazon Prime Video and rent or purchase it on VOD platforms. Other DreamWorks movies are available on Netflix domestically, including Kung Fu Panda and Shark Tale (which are both leaving soon), as well as the more recent The Wild Robot.
Stiller’s voice-acting work also includes Megamind, Phineas and Ferb, Krapopolis, and providing the voice of the animated Kier Eagan in Severance. He has several more upcoming projects as an actor and producer, including starring in the sequel Focker In-Law with returning co-star Robert De Niro and franchise newcomers Skyler Gisondo (reuniting with Stiller following Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb) and Ariana Grande.
Stiller’s most famous credit nowadays is doubtlessly as the executive producer of his viral Apple TV series, with audiences impatiently waiting for Severance season 3. But those wanting to revisit any of Ben Stiller’s best movies may check out Madagascar on Netflix, a family-friendly entry that appealed to many and has its own brand of charm.
Release Date
May 15, 2005
Runtime
86 minutes
Director
Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Writers
Mark Burton, Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Producers
Mireille Soria, Teresa Cheng
