---
title: "Penguins of Madagascar"
year: 2014
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/penguins-of-madagascar"
fi1m_id: "penguins-of-madagascar"
imdb_id: "tt1911658"
tmdb_id: 270946
wikidata_id: "Q15616479"
fi1m_score: 58
critics_score: 55
critics_reviews: 20
published: "2026-10-05T13:27:36.377428+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T13:27:36.641245+00:00"
region: "BG"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Directed by Simon J. Smith, Eric Darnell · 1h 32m · BG B · Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy

## Identity

Penguins of Madagascar

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/penguins-of-madagascar
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** penguins-of-madagascar
- **IMDb ID:** tt1911658
- **TMDB ID:** 270946
- **Wikidata ID:** Q15616479
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1911658/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/270946, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15616479

**Fi1m score: 58** · Critics 55 from 20 reviews

*In a sentence:* Four penguins, one octopus, every pun in the building, and Werner Herzog pushing wildlife off a cliff for a better shot

> A fast, loud, pun-heavy spin-off that lands a dozen good jokes in its first half hour and then keeps shouting for an hour more. John Malkovich’s bitter octopus is worth hearing; the rest will tire anyone over ten long before it tires the children.

## Synopsis

Antarctica. A documentary crew narrated by Werner Herzog is filming a line of penguins marching across the ice. Three break ranks: Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller) and Rico (Conrad Vernon) chase a runaway egg, which hatches into Private (Christopher Knights). Years later, on Private’s birthday, Skipper leads a raid on Fort Knox to liberate a bag of Cheezy Dibbles from a vending machine. The machine is a trap, and the four are kidnapped by Dave (John Malkovich), an octopus who spent years in zoo tanks being ignored while visitors cooed at the penguins next door. The penguins escape through Venice by gondola and are scooped up by the North Wind, an animal rescue agency run by a wolf called Classified (Benedict Cumberbatch), who wants them out of his way.

## Review

The penguins were the best thing in the [*Madagascar*](https://film.one/film/madagascar) films, four birds with a chain of command and no plan, wheeled on for a minute at a time to steal a scene and wheeled off again. *Penguins of Madagascar* gives them the whole film. Directors Simon J. Smith and Eric Darnell, working from a script by John Aboud, Brandon Sawyer and Michael Colton, have built a spy spoof around them: a villain, a gadget, a global itinerary, a rival agency. It is a joke machine that runs at one speed for 92 minutes, and the speed is flat out. For half an hour that is a pleasure. After that it is a test.

The opening is the best thing in it. Antarctica, a line of penguins marching across the ice, and a documentary narrator with the voice of Werner Herzog explaining in that flat, mournful German that their lives are drab and pointless and that his crew will now make them more dramatic by shoving a few off a ledge. We laughed out loud, and so did the children around us, who had no idea who was speaking and did not need to. Three birds break ranks to chase an egg, the egg hatches into Private, and in five minutes the film has set up its heroes, its tone and its one real idea, which is that Private is the cute one and would rather not be.

From there it is a chase. A break-in at Fort Knox for a bag of Cheezy Dibbles, a kidnapping by vending machine, Venice, a gondola pursuit through the canals that is the one set piece where the animators get to stage something rather than just detonate it. Nick Kenway cuts it all short and fast; nothing stays on screen long enough to be examined, which suits the jokes and does the story no favours. Lorne Balfe’s score is spy-film brass, stabs and bongos, played straight, and it is the funnier for not winking.

John Malkovich is the reason to stay. Dave is an octopus who spent years in zoo tanks being ignored while crowds cooed at the penguins next door, and Malkovich plays him as a wounded aesthete, every line delivered with the patience of someone who has rehearsed his grievance for a decade. He has a running gag in which orders to his henchmen double as actors’ names (“Nicolas, cage them”), and the first three are good. The script does it perhaps twenty times. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Classified, a wolf who runs the North Wind rescue agency, is clipped and pleased with himself and can say the word penguins as though it were a stain. The rest of his team, Ken Jeong’s seal, Annet Mahendru’s owl and Peter Stormare’s bear, are each one joke and get it once.

Here is where it went wrong for us. Somewhere past the hour we noticed we had stopped laughing and were simply being shouted at. The film has one speed. Every scene is a chase or an explosion or a chase ending in an explosion, and Skipper is barking orders over all of it in Tom McGrath’s drill-sergeant growl, which is funny a minute at a time and wearing at ninety. When the script finally stops to let Private be taken seriously by his friends, it does so with a hush and a swell that the preceding hour has done nothing to earn, and we felt we were being asked to care by a film that had not, until then, pretended to.

The *Madagascar* films understood the penguins as seasoning. This is a plate of seasoning. Against the better animated spy spoofs it is thin: there is no world under the jokes, no sense of where anyone lives or what anything costs them, and the plot, which involves a serum and a ray gun, is a thing to hang gags on and nothing more.

Children under ten will like it a great deal, and it is a U, so there is nothing in it to flinch at beyond the volume. Adults get Herzog, Malkovich and a gondola. That is a decent return on 92 minutes, and not quite enough to send you out for it.

*Fi1m score 58, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics agree the jokes arrive faster than anyone can count, and the praise clusters on the voice cast. John Malkovich’s octopus villain is named again and again as the highlight, with Benedict Cumberbatch close behind, and individual gags are picked out, from the opening sequence to a gondola chase through Venice. Even the lukewarm notices concede the penguins steal their scenes and that the wordplay lands often enough to keep children and parents amused.

The split is wide. Reservations cluster on story, or the absence of one: the plot is thin, the chases and explosions pile up until they exhaust rather than exhilarate, and the octopus-name puns outstay their welcome. The American trade press is harshest, with Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline all finding it dull or frantic and The Wrap calling it noisy and unfunny. The British papers are warmer, and The Guardian stands furthest out, calling it the best of the series.

## Straight answers

**Is Penguins of Madagascar worth watching?**

*Penguins of Madagascar* is worth watching for children under ten and nobody else in particular, and we scored it 58. The opening half hour, with Werner Herzog narrating and John Malkovich's bitter octopus, is good fun; the hour after it is chases and explosions at one volume. Adults will tire of it long before the children do.

**How long is Penguins of Madagascar, and what is it rated?**

*Penguins of Madagascar* runs 1h 32m and is rated B by the BG in Bulgaria. It is a family and animation film.

**Where can I watch Penguins of Madagascar in Bulgaria?**

*Penguins of Madagascar* is streaming on HBO Max and SkyShowtime in Bulgaria, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from лв 2.99. It leaves HBO Max on 31 October. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Penguins of Madagascar compare to Madagascar?**

*Penguins of Madagascar* is louder and thinner than [*Madagascar*](https://film.one/film/madagascar), which used the same four birds a minute at a time and was better for the rationing. The spin-off hands them the whole film and runs out of ideas past the hour. Neither has much story, but the earlier film is the more restful family evening, and this one belongs to younger children.

**What should I watch after Penguins of Madagascar?**

After *Penguins of Madagascar*, try [*Madagascar*](https://film.one/film/madagascar) (2005, Fi1m 60): Where the penguins first stole a film from its stars, in sensible doses. Then [*Chicken Run*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run) (2000, Fi1m 84): A poultry prison break from Aardman with better jokes per minute and a plot; and [*Zootropolis*](https://film.one/film/zootopia) (2016, Fi1m 82): An animal caper with an actual city underneath the gags and a case worth solving.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (90/100, inferred): Bradshaw calls the film exhilarating, hilarious and the best of the Madagascar series. He particularly praises its supercharged script and abundance of great lines. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/04/penguins-of-madagascar-review)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (70/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film’s relentless, silly humor successful, despite its loose story and lack of emotional resonance. He singles out its persistent wordplay and throw-everything-at-the-wall comic energy. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/movie-review-penguins-of-madagascar.html)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be read, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be verified. The available page response contains no review text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/penguins-of-madagascar-2014)
- **Screen Daily**, John Hazelton (64/100, inferred): The review's verdict is unavailable because the article body is hidden. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/penguins-of-madagascar/5079895.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be confirmed. The available page text contains no review content. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/movies/penguins-of-madagascar-with-voice-of-benedict-cumberbatch.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Chris Cabin (2.5/4): Cabin finds the film an entertaining but fleeting romp, with thin storytelling keeping it only somewhat above average. He praises its plentiful, well-timed jokes and wordplay, especially the gag involving Shanghai and Dublin. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/penguins-of-madagascar/)
- **Radio Times**, Dave Aldridge (3/5): The visible review text cuts off before its overall verdict is clear; the printed rating is three stars. Aldridge praises the penguins’ scene-stealing appeal and notes that the role stretches John Malkovich’s vocal chords. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a29u6n/penguins-of-madagascar/)
- **Time Out**, Cath Clarke (3/5): Clarke gives the spin-off a three-star verdict. She singles out a brilliant opening gag and the instantly recognisable voice of a German director. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/penguins-of-madagascar)
- **Empire**, Angie Errigo (50/100, inferred): Errigo finds the spin-off average but amusing enough to pass muster. She praises its running gags and adorable octopoid goons, while noting that the action grows tedious and a subplot turns mawkish. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/penguins-madagascar-review/)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (40/100, inferred): O'Sullivan finds the film short on originality and logic, despite some enjoyable moments. She praises the crisp, colourful animation and especially Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom McGrath's vocal performances. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/penguins-of-madagascar-review-benedict-cumberbatch-is-ace-as-a-patronising-wolfcumsecret-agent-9905317.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (40/100, inferred): Sharkey finds the film’s nonstop puns overwhelm an otherwise promising animated comedy. She praises the penguin characters’ comic appeal and singles out John Malkovich’s lively voice work as the villain. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-penguins-madagascar-review-20141125-column.html)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film’s manic energy more exhausting than exhilarating, and says the franchise fails to advance. They praise the visual gags but complain that the core characters are not developed enough to make the shtick stick. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/penguins-madagascar-film-review-748219/)
- **Variety**, Geoff Berkshire (30/100, inferred): Berkshire finds the spinoff dull, overly juvenile and lacking the imagination to sustain a feature. He praises Benedict Cumberbatch and John Malkovich for bringing colorful traits and depth to their vocal performances. [Read](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-penguins-of-madagascar-1201353894/)
- **IndieWire**, Charles Solomon (25/100, inferred): Solomon finds the film overblown, choppy, and only intermittently funny. He praises a few clever gags but says the relentless chases, explosions, and repeated octopus-name puns wear out their welcome. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-the-penguins-of-madagascar-123819/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (85/100, inferred): The critic is highly positive, calling the film a fast-paced, funny adventure that should entertain children and adults alike. They single out its clever script and relentless excitement, with the pace leaving little room to breathe. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/penguins-of-madagascar-2014-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **Digital Spy**, Tom Eames (80/100, inferred): The critic finds it a successful, funny family comedy caper and a worthy spinoff. They single out its intelligent humor and appeal to both children and adults for praise. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a613946/penguins-of-madagascar-review-mission-impossible-meets-despicable-me/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (75/100, inferred): Pape finds the film exuberantly entertaining, despite its weak narrative structure and limited emotional depth. He especially praises its scattershot humor and playful irreverence. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/penguins-of-madagascar-review/)
- **NME** (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the film reasonably diverting but not engaging enough for adults. They praise its visually arresting set-pieces and Benedict Cumberbatch’s scene-stealing voice performance. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15828-320973)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (30/100, inferred): Hammond finds the film unable to take flight despite its frantic pace, though it may work for young audiences. He singles out John Malkovich’s wonderfully voiced evil octopus as a highlight. [Read](https://deadline.com/2014/11/penguins-of-madagascar-review-dreamworks-animation-1201296947/)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (10/100, inferred): The critic dismisses the film as noisy, unfunny, and without a reason to exist. They single out the Venice gondola chase as its one unreservedly delightful scene. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/penguins-of-madagascar-review-benedict-cumberbatch-john-malkovich/)

## Details

- **Director:** Simon J. Smith, Eric Darnell
- **Director:** Simon J. Smith, Eric Darnell
- **Screenplay:** Michael Colton, John Aboud, Brandon Sawyer
- **Story:** John Aboud, Michael Colton, Brent Simons, Alan Schoolcraft
- **Editor:** Nick Kenway
- **Music:** Lorne Balfe
- **Producer:** Lara Breay, Mark Swift
- **Cast:** Tom McGrath as Skipper (voice); Chris Miller as Kowalski (voice); Christopher Knights as Private (voice); Conrad Vernon as Rico (voice); John Malkovich as Dave (voice); Benedict Cumberbatch as Classified (voice); Ken Jeong as Short Fuse (voice); Annet Mahendru as Eva (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 32m
- **Certificate (BG):** B
- **Release (Bulgaria):** 28 November 2014
- **Genres:** Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- **Budget:** $132 million
- **Box office:** $374 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjfID263ViI

## Where to watch in Bulgaria

- HBO Max: streaming, leaving 2026-10-31
- SkyShowtime: streaming, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent лв 2.99, hd
- Apple TV: rent лв 3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy лв 8.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy лв 8.99, sd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2015: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Madagascar* (2005), Fi1m 60: Where the penguins first stole a film from its stars, in sensible doses. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/madagascar.md)
- *Chicken Run* (2000), Fi1m 84: A poultry prison break from Aardman with better jokes per minute and a plot. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run.md)
- *Zootropolis* (2016), Fi1m 82: An animal caper with an actual city underneath the gags and a case worth solving. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/zootopia.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A bear, a mouse and watercolours; the quiet one for after the children have calmed down. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *Spy* (2015): The same spy-spoof joke, live action, aimed squarely at the adults on the sofa.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/penguins-of-madagascar