Thescreescore – The cinematic wilderness of DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Madagascar franchise has remained largely unexplored for over a decade, leaving fans wondering about the fate of a potential fourth installment. Now, after 14 years since its last main entry, an original voice star is passionately advocating for the long-awaited sequel, reigniting hopes for the return of Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman.
Chris Rock, the iconic voice behind Marty the zebra, recently reflected on his tenure with the animated series in a candid conversation with Variety, declaring it "probably the biggest movie I’ve ever been in." His enthusiasm for a fourth film is palpable, even extending to a humorous, personal plea. "I pray to God we do one more. In a world where they’re rebooting everything, let’s do Madagascar… I got divorced. I don’t have Madagascar money anymore. We only did three. There are five Ice Ages." Rock’s playful jab, an f-bomb directed at Ray Romano, the voice of Manny from the rival Ice Age franchise, underscored his conviction that "it’s time" for Madagascar 4. He further bolstered his argument by pointing to the recent releases of Toy Story 4 and Toy Story 5 (which hit theaters this past June), questioning, "Why can’t we make this happen?" The sixth installment in the Ice Age main film series, Ice Age: Boiling Point, is slated for February 2027.
The original 2005 film introduced audiences to the unforgettable quartet: Ben Stiller’s Alex the lion, Chris Rock’s Marty the zebra, Jada Pinkett Smith’s Gloria the hippo, and David Schwimmer’s Melman the giraffe. Their accidental journey from the Central Park Zoo to the wilds of Madagascar captivated millions, leading to Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012), which saw the gang navigate further global escapades. The ensemble cast, including Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien, Cedric the Entertainer as Maurice, and Andy Richter as Mort, cemented the series’ comedic appeal across all three movies.
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While the initial two Madagascar films garnered mixed critical responses, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted marked a significant turning point. Released in 2012, it earned largely positive reviews, boasting 78% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and 72% on its Popcornmeter. More impressively, it stands as the franchise’s highest-grossing entry, raking in nearly $749 million globally. This commercial and critical triumph makes DreamWorks Animation’s 2015 decision to remove Madagascar 4 from its projected 2018 release slate all the more perplexing for fans and industry observers alike. Beyond the silver screen, the Madagascar universe has expanded into three television series, a Christmas special, and two short films, showcasing its broad appeal.
The creative visionaries behind Madagascar acknowledge the enduring demand. In January 2026, co-creator Tom McGrath, who developed the series alongside Mark Burton, Billy Frolick, and Eric Darnell, articulated the studio’s stance. While Madagascar 4 is not off the table, McGrath emphasized the necessity of a "worthy story to make the sequel, so it’s not necessarily a money grab." He noted that he and Eric Darnell, his co-director and co-writer for much of the trilogy, are currently immersed in other projects but remain open to revisiting the beloved property when the right narrative emerges.
As the fate of Madagascar 4 hangs in the balance, DreamWorks Animation continues to forge ahead with other ventures. Their next animated feature, Forgotten Island, is set to debut on September 25. The studio’s pipeline also includes highly anticipated projects like Shrek 5 and a Donkey spinoff, indicating a clear strategy for leveraging established franchises. Meanwhile, Chris Rock himself is busy with his latest directorial and writing effort, the live-action comedy-drama Misty Green, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 12, before its wide release on Friday, October 9. The question remains: will DreamWorks heed the call of its star and the yearning of its audience to bring the Madagascar gang back for one more wild adventure?
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