Merry Madagascar

2009 film directed by David Soren

Merry MadagascarBased onCharacters byTom McGrathEric DarnellWritten byDavid SorenEric DarnellTom McGrathDirected byDavid SorenStarringBen StillerChris RockDavid SchwimmerJada Pinkett SmithDanny JacobsCedric the EntertainerAndy RichterCarl ReinerMusic byHeitor PereiraCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producerMireille SoriaProducerJoe M. AguilarEditorJames RyanRunning time30 minutesProduction companiesDreamWorks AnimationPacific Data Images (uncredited)Original releaseNetworkNBCReleaseNovember 17, 2009 (2009-11-17) Merry Madagascar is a Christmas special that was first broadcast on the NBC network on November 17, 2009, which starred the characters from the film series Madagascar, and takes place sometime between the first and second film. It is the second DreamWorks Animation Christmas special, after Shrek the Halls. It features many of the same voices from the film, including Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith. The only major exception was Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien XIII, who was replaced by Danny Jacobs, who also voices the character in a mid-credits scene of the Penguins of Madagascar spin-off film, along with The Penguins of Madagascar and All Hail King Julien TV series. Carl Reiner provided the voice of Santa Claus.

[edit] Taking place after the events of the first film and before the events of the second film, Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria attempt to return to New York City in a hot air balloon for Christmas. However, the lemur population inadvertently thwarts their escape by mistaking them for the "Marauding Red Night Goblin" that visits annually. The "Goblin" then showers the island with coals. Alex shoots it down, discovering it was actually Santa Claus throwing lumps of coal at King Julien for being naughty. The crash leaves Santa with amnesia, unaware of his responsibilities. The group resolve to deliver the presents and use the sleigh to get back home, but Santa's reindeer won't take orders from anyone other than Santa Claus, so the penguins use Santa's magic dust to fly. Their initial attempts to make deliveries go awry so they decide to dump the gifts at the relevant post offices. However, after crashing into an apartment and unintentionally bringing joy to a little girl, they continue with the deliveries despite the adverse conditions. Back on Madagascar, while the lemurs are presenting gifts to King Julien for "Julianuary", Santa rediscovers his ability to make toys. He crafts gifts for them all, angering Julien as he feels the focus should be on him. Julien decrees that the lemurs' gifts belong to him. Sifting through the presents alone depresses him; Santa's suggestion of giving a gift lifts his mood. As the night nears its end, the animals have only enough magic dust for one last trip. Putting aside their desire to go home, they return to Madagascar to rescue Santa Claus. They run out of dust and crash into him, restoring his memory. He thanks the animals for making his deliveries and takes Julien off the naughty list. However, the animals have overlooked a bag for Liechtenstein, so Santa Claus switches to a reserve tank to make the trip before the animals can ask for a ride. The animals resolve to enjoy their Christmas in Madagascar, but King Julien throws a coconut at Alex to get back on the naughty list, causing a lump on his head and amnesia, like Santa Claus before him.

[edit] Ben Stiller as Alex the lion. Chris Rock as Marty the zebra. David Schwimmer as Melman the giraffe. Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the hippopotamus. Danny Jacobs as King Julien XIII the ring-tailed lemur. Cedric the Entertainer as Maurice the aye-aye. Andy Richter as Mort the mouse lemur. Carl Reiner as Santa Claus. Tom McGrath as Skipper the penguin. Chris Miller as Kowalski the penguin. Christopher Knights as Private the penguin. Nina Dobrev as Cupid the reindeer. Willow Smith as Abby. Jim Cummings as Donner, the lead reindeer. Note: Rico the penguin appears, but has no dialogue.

[edit] Merry Madagascar was nominated for six Annie Awards, and won one award for Storyboarding in a Television Production.

Award !

Recipient(s)

Result

Best Animated Television Production

DreamWorks Animation

Nominated

Character Animation in a Television Production

Kevan Shorey

Nominated

Character Design in a Television Production

Craig Kellman

Nominated

Storyboarding in a Television Production

Robert Koo

Won

Voice Acting in a Television Production

Danny Jacobs (Voice of King Julien)

Nominated

Willow Smith (Voice of Abby)

Nominated

[edit] Merry Madagascar was released on DVD in the United States on November 18, 2009, exclusively at stores of Walmart, and it was widely released on October 11, 2011. The special was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 30, 2012, as part of compilation titled Dreamworks Holiday Classics. It was re released on DVD on October 1, 2013, along with DreamWorks Animation's other holiday specials Shrek the Halls, Kung Fu Panda Holiday, and Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, along with feature film The Croods.

[edit] In July 2011, as part of a strategic partnership between DreamWorks Animation and Gaylord Hotels, Merry Madagascar was presented as the theme of the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord's hotels in Nashville and Maryland. In this presentation, the plot of the film is told through a series of ice sculptures that visitors walk past.

The charm of Merry Madagascar lies in its timing. Placed between the first two films, it lets fans revisit the zoo crew without waiting for a full sequel, and the half‑hour format fits neatly into a family’s festive TV slot. The Penguins’ mischievous antics, paired with the familiar voice cast, give the special a cosy continuity that feels like an extended episode rather than a stand‑alone movie. The inclusion of Carl Reiner as Santa adds a touch of classic British‑American humour, making the special feel both globally recognisable and locally relatable for a UK audience. It’s this blend of familiarity and novelty that has cemented the special as a repeat‑watch favourite during the Christmas season.

If you want to add Merry Madagascar to your holiday lineup, there are a few options. Physical copies are still available on DVD and Blu‑ray, often bundled with other DreamWorks shorts, which is handy for those who prefer a tangible library. For streaming, check the major platforms—Netflix and Amazon Prime rotate DreamWorks titles, and the special sometimes appears on NBC’s own on‑demand service during the festive window. When buying, look for releases that include the bonus Penguin shorts, as they extend the viewing time and deepen the laughs. Ensure your player supports the 1080p resolution for the best colour and sound, especially the jaunty score by Heitor Pereira that elevates the festive mood.

At first glance Merry Madagascar may seem like a lighthearted romp, but beneath the slapstick lies a genuine message about community and generosity. The characters, accustomed to their zoo comforts, grapple with the idea of sharing resources with strangers—a nod to the Christmas spirit of giving. The special also hints at cultural exchange: the animals, originally from Madagascar, adapt to a Western holiday, reflecting how traditions evolve when they travel across borders. This layer can spark conversation with children about why we celebrate differently around the world, turning a simple cartoon into an educational talking point for the festive dinner table.