Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

After crash-landing in Africa, penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private, and chimpanzee duo Mason and Phil leave for Monte Carlo in their modified airplane.{{efn|As depicted at the ending of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)}} Whilst waiting, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, and lemurs King Julien, Maurice and Mort decide to find them so they can all return to their home at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. They find the penguins and chimpanzees at the Monte Carlo Casino. Chaos ensues when the animals' cover is blown and escape from Captain Chantel DuBois, the head of Monaco's animal control service, who is determined to add Alex's head to her taxidermy collection.

After their aircraft crash-lands and is beyond repair, the animals board a departing circus train. As the circus animals, which include New Zealand sea lion Stefano, jaguar Gia, and Siberian tiger Vitaly, are suspicious of outsiders, Alex therefore lies about them being American circus animals. The circus is headed for a show in Rome, followed by one in London, where they hope to impress a promoter to get their first American tour. To allay suspicion, the penguins purchase the circus from its human ringmaster with the fortune they gained in Monte Carlo.

In Rome, Alex becomes enamored with Gia while Julien falls in love with performing Eurasian brown bear Sonya. DuBois attempts to pursue the couple in Vatican City, but fails to catch them and is taken into custody. After the Colosseum show proves to be a disaster, Stefano reveals to Alex that the circus was once famous and Vitaly was its star, skillfully jumping through ever-smaller hoops. However, an accident during one of his stunts resulted in him losing his passion, and the entire circus suffered as a result.

When the train stops at the Alps, Alex convinces the circus animals to devise a new and exciting all-animal act that will restore their former glory. Marty and Stefano find a new passion in being shot out of a cannon, while Melman and Gloria become adept at dancing together on a tightrope. Gia persuades Alex to teach her "Trapeze Americano" and soon romance flourishes between the duo. Meanwhile, DuBois resumes her hunt after escaping from prison.

In London, Vitaly is afraid of failing again and considers ditching the show, but Alex helps him rediscover his passion by successfully assisting him in the opening act. The show succeeds, and the promoter signs a contract with the circus. DuBois then shows up, and although the penguins foil her, a printed document detailing Alex that she was carrying exposes his group's true intentions. Feeling deceived and betrayed, the circus animals eject the quartet.

After Sonya ends her relationship with Julien, the zoo and circus animals go their separate ways but arrive in Central Park simultaneously. Looking at their old home, the zoo animals realize how much their worldwide adventure has changed them and decide their true place is with the circus. They are then ambushed by DuBois, but before she can behead Alex, the zoo staff arrive and incorrectly believe that she is returning the missing animals. Julien returns to the circus with the news as he reconciles with Sonya before the circus staff settles on rescuing their friends.

Alex's group awakens in their old enclosures, now surrounded by high fencing. DuBois is being honored by the zoo staff, but she rejects their offered reward money and secretly attempts to kill Alex with a poison-filled dart. The circus staff soon saves them, and together, the heroes defeat DuBois as Alex's group joins the circus. As retribution, the penguins ship DuBois to Madagascar.

{{See also|List of Madagascar (franchise) characters}}

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• Ben Stiller as Alex, a lion and the leader of the zoosters.
• Chris Rock as Marty, a plains zebra and Alex's best friend.
• David Schwimmer as Melman, a reticulated giraffe, another of Alex's friends.
• Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria, a hippopotamus, another of Alex's friends and Melman's love interest.
• Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien XIII, a ring-tailed lemur who is the king of Madagascar.
• Cedric the Entertainer as Maurice, an aye-aye who is the beleaguered assistant and royal adviser of King Julien XIII.
• Andy Richter as Mort, a Goodman's mouse lemur and King Julien XIII's biggest fan.
• Tom McGrath as Skipper, the leader of the penguins.
• McGrath also voices First Policeman.
• Frances McDormand as Captain Chantel DuBois, the head of Monaco's animal control service who plots to capture Alex so she can add his head to her taxidermy collection.
• Jessica Chastain as Gia, a jaguar and Alex's love interest.
• Bryan Cranston as Vitaly, a traumatized Russian Siberian tiger and an ex-superstar of Circus Zaragoza.
• Martin Short as Stefano, an Italian New Zealand sea lion.
• Chris Miller as Kowalski, one of the penguins who Skipper's second-in-command and its brains.
• Christopher Knights as Private, the English-accented mild-mannered and eager rookie of the penguins.
• John DiMaggio as Rico, the mute loose cannon explosives expert and weapons supplier of the penguins who only communicates through squeals and grunts.
• Conrad Vernon as Mason, a refined British-accented chimpanzee.
• Vernon also voices Second Policeman.
• Frank Welker as the vocal effects of Sonya, an Eurasian brown bear and King Julien's love interest.
• Paz Vega as Esmeralda, Esperanza and Ernestina, a trio of Andalusian horse triplets.
• Vinnie Jones as Freddie the Dog.
• Steve Jones as Jonesy the Dog.
• Nick Fletcher as Frankie the Dog.
• Eric Darnell as:
• Comandante.
• Zoo Official.
• Zoo Announcer.
• Dan O'Connor as:
• Casino Security.
• Mayor of New York City.
• Danny Jacobs as:
• Croupier.
• Circus Zaragoza's former ringmaster.

DreamWorks Animation's CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg confirmed in 2008 that there would be an additional sequel to Madagascar and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Katzenberg stated, "There is at least one more chapter. We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York."{{cite news|title=Katzenberg Planning 3rd Madagascar, 2nd Kung Fu Panda|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=47990|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=ComingSoon.net|date=August 14, 2008|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191223/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=47990|url-status=dead}} At the Television Critics Association press tour in January 2009, Katzenberg was asked if there would be a third film in the series. He replied, "Yes, we are making a Madagascar 3 now, and it will be out in the summer of 2012."{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Eric|title=DreamWorks Confirms Madagascar 3 is Coming|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/dreamworks-confirms-madagascar-3-is-coming|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=IGN|date=January 9, 2009|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104105204/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/dreamworks-confirms-madagascar-3-is-coming|url-status=live}} On August 9, 2010, Katzenberg revealed in an e-mail that writer-director Noah Baumbach had done sixty pages of re-writes to the screenplay.{{cite news|last1=Finke|first1=Nikki|title=Underemployed Jeff Katzenberg: Blogger|url=https://deadline.com/2010/08/underemployed-jeff-katzenberg-blogger-60667/|access-date=August 24, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC|date=August 9, 2010|quote=Met with Mad3 team to review 60pgs of rewrite done by Noah Bombach that are exc!!!|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912165726/http://deadline.com/2010/08/underemployed-jeff-katzenberg-blogger-60667/|url-status=live}}

A significant amount of the animation and visual effects for the film had been done at DreamWorks Dedicated Unit, an India-based unit at Technicolor.{{cite news|last=Tejaswi|first=Mini Joseph|title=Indian animation on a high at French fest|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-10/bangalore/32155791_1_indian-animation-secondary-animation-experts-zoo-animals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323074431/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-10/bangalore/32155791_1_indian-animation-secondary-animation-experts-zoo-animals|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=June 10, 2012}}

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted debuted out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2012.{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|title=Exclusive: 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted' video sees animals squabbling|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a381768/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-video-sees-animals-squabbling.html|access-date=May 16, 2012|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=May 15, 2012|archive-date=June 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618151715/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a381768/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-video-sees-animals-squabbling.html|url-status=dead}} The American release followed on June 8, 2012.{{Cite press release|title=DreamWorks Animation Announces Feature Film Release Slate Through 2014 |publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc |date=March 8, 2011 |url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=555383 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818162017/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=555383 |archive-date=August 18, 2011 }} The film was also converted to the IMAX format and shown in specific European territories, including Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.{{cite news|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|title=Imax aims to bank $1 billion|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/box-office/imax-aims-to-bank-1-billion-1118052357/|access-date=April 8, 2012|newspaper=Variety|date=April 7, 2012|archive-date=April 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412231215/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052357|url-status=live}}

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray 3D on October 16, 2012. It was the first DreamWorks Animation film to use the UltraViolet System and the Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D comes with a rainbow wig.{{cite news|last=Shaffer|first=RL|title=Madagascar 3 Finds Blu-ray and DVD|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/21/madagascar-3-finds-blu-ray-and-dvd|access-date=August 28, 2012|newspaper=IGN|date=August 21, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323052449/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/21/madagascar-3-finds-blu-ray-and-dvd|url-status=live}} As of April 2014, 9.1 million home entertainment units were sold worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-first-quarter-2014-financial-results-257214171.html|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports First Quarter 2014 Financial Results|website=PR Newswire|format=Press release|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2019|archive-date=October 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031172138/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-first-quarter-2014-financial-results-257214171.html|url-status=live}}

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted earned $216,391,482 in North America and $530,529,792 in other countries for a worldwide total of $746,921,274.{{cite web|title=Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=madagascar3.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=October 12, 2013|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723173244/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=madagascar3.htm|url-status=live}} Its worldwide opening weekend totaled $137.6 million.{{cite news|title=WORLDWIDE OPENINGS|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=June 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm|url-status=live}} Worldwide, it is the highest-grossing film in the series,{{cite web|title=Franchises – Madagascar|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=madagascar.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712203712/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=madagascar.htm|url-status=live}} the fourth-highest-grossing DreamWorks Animation film,{{cite web|title=DreamWorks Animation|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=dwanimation.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=September 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903231703/http://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=dwanimation.htm|url-status=live}} the second-highest-grossing animated film of 2012, and the eighth-highest-grossing film of that year.{{cite web|title=2012 WORLDWIDE GROSSES|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2012&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109170950/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2012&p=.htm|url-status=live}} Overall, it is the eleventh-highest-grossing animated film and the 113th-highest-grossing film of all time. The film took between 66 and 94 days of release, respectively, to out-gross its two predecessors. It surpassed Kung Fu Panda 2 to become DreamWorks' highest-grossing non-Shrek film, and the first non-Shrek film to reach over $700 million.

In North America, the film made $20.7 million on its opening day, which was higher than the opening-day grosses of the original film ($13.9 million) and its sequel ($17.6 million).{{cite news|title=Friday Report: 'Prometheus,' 'Madagascar 3' in Close Race|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3460&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|first=Ray|last=Subers|date=June 9, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615154939/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3460&p=.htm|url-status=live}} For its opening weekend, the film ranked at the no. 1 spot, beating Prometheus, with $60.3 million, which was higher than the opening of the original Madagascar ($47.2 million) but was behind the opening weekend of Escape 2 Africa ($63.1 million).{{cite news|title=Weekend Report: 'Madagascar' Breaks Out, 'Prometheus' Catches Fire|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3461&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|first=Ray|last=Subers|date=June 10, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2012|archive-date=June 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613171044/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3461&p=.htm|url-status=live}} It remained at the top spot for two consecutive weekends.{{cite web|last=Suber|first=Ray|title=Weekend Report: Circus Afros Beat 80s Hairdos|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3465&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=June 18, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717214547/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3465&p=.htm|url-status=live}} In North America, it is the highest-grossing film in the series, the sixth-highest-grossing DreamWorks Animation film, the second-highest-grossing 2012 animated film,{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=animation2012.htm|title=Animation 2012|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116033417/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=animation2012.htm|url-status=live}} and the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2012.{{cite web|title=2012 DOMESTIC GROSSES|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2012&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022206/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2012&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

Outside North America, Europe's Most Wanted out-grossed Shrek Forever After to become DreamWorks Animation's highest-grossing film. On its opening weekend, it topped the box office with $77.3 million from 28 countries.{{cite news |title=Around-the-World: 'Madagascar 3' Skips Europe, Wins Overseas Anyway |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3462&p=.htm |publisher=Box Office Mojo |first=Ray |last=Subers |date=June 10, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611172140/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3462&p=.htm |archive-date=June 11, 2012 }} It held that position for three consecutive weekends.{{cite news|title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Madagascar 3' Hangs On to Foreign Lead|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3466&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|first=Ray|last=Subers|date=June 17, 2012|access-date=June 22, 2012|archive-date=June 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621114619/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3466&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Segers |first=Frank |title=Foreign Box Office: 'Madagascar 3' Tops Weak Weekend |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-madagascar-3-brave-abraham-lincoln-341332 |date=June 24, 2012 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627054006/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-madagascar-3-brave-abraham-lincoln-341332 |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |url-status=live }} Its three highest-grossing openings occurred in Russia and the CIS ($15.7 million), China ($10.4 million), and Brazil ($10.1 million in 5 days).{{cite web|title=MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED – International Box Office Results|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=madagascar3.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018173538/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=madagascar3.htm|url-status=live}} It set an opening-day record for animated films in Russia with $3.7 million{{cite news|title=Box Office Report: 'Madagascar 3' Breaks Records in Russia on Eve of U.S. Launch |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madagascar-3-box-office-334835 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609002144/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madagascar-3-box-office-334835 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=live }} (since surpassed by Ice Age: Continental Drift){{cite news|title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Ice Age' Back on Top Overseas|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3489&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|first=Ray|last=Subers|date=July 17, 2012|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=August 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816053340/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3489&p=.htm|url-status=live}} and became the highest-grossing animated film (surpassed by Ice Age: Continental Drift){{cite news|title=Russian Box Office Reaches a Record High of $1.33 Billion for 2012|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russian-box-office-reaches-a-413604|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Vladimir|last=Kozlov|date=January 18, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122005847/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russian-box-office-reaches-a-413604|archive-date=January 22, 2013|url-status=live}} and the third-highest-grossing film ever (at the time), earning $49.4 million.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Becomes Russia's Highest-Grossing Animated Film in History and Third Highest-Grossing Film of All Time|url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=691760|access-date=July 21, 2012|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=July 13, 2012|author=DreamWorks Animation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121225815/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=691760|archive-date=January 21, 2013}} It also set an opening-weekend record for any film in Argentina with $3.80 million{{cite web|title=Argentina Box Office (June 7–10, 2012)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/argentina/?yr=2012&wk=23&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=August 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822080234/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/argentina/?yr=2012&wk=23&p=.htm|url-status=live}} (first surpassed by Ice Age: Continental Drift){{cite news|title='Ice Age 4′ Foreign Debut $78M And No. 1 in All 34 Markets: Already Breaking Records|url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/ice-age-4-box-office-already-breaking-records-overseas-294578/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nikki|last=Finke|date=July 1, 2012|access-date=July 1, 2012|archive-date=July 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703205519/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/ice-age-4-box-office-already-breaking-records-overseas/|url-status=live}} and it set opening-weekend records for animated films in Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad,{{cite news|title=UPDATED: International Box Office: 'Madagascar 3' Sets Records |url=http://www.boxoffice.com/latest-news/2012-06-10-international-box-office-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-grabs-246-million |publisher=BoxOffice |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613171948/http://www.boxoffice.com/latest-news/2012-06-10-international-box-office-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-grabs-246-million |archive-date=June 13, 2012 }} and the United Arab Emirates. Also, Madagascar 3 made $39 million in Germany, $34 million in United Kingdom and $28 million in Italy.

Based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads: "Dazzlingly colorful and frenetic, Madagascar 3 is silly enough for young kids, but boasts enough surprising smarts to engage parents along the way."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar_3_europes_most_wanted_2012|title=Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410103106/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar_3_europes_most_wanted_2012/|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} This marks the best general review consensus of the film series that has showed improving critical favor; the original film has a score of 55%,{{cite web|title=Madagascar|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=June 18, 2012|archive-date=June 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618195959/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar/|url-status=live}} and the sequel scores 64%.{{cite web|title=Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar_escape_2_africa/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=June 18, 2012|archive-date=June 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618205653/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar_escape_2_africa/|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, it holds a score of 60 out of 100 based on 26 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{cite web|title=Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted|work=Metacritic|access-date=June 27, 2012|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106193212/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted|url-status=live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |date=June 10, 2012 |title=HOT WEEKEND! Both 'Madagascar 3' And 'Prometheus' On Fire For $59.6M/$49.5M |url=https://deadline.com/2012/06/prometheus-box-office-weekend-fox-283586/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706132245/https://deadline.com/2012/06/prometheus-box-office-weekend-fox-283586/ |url-status=live }}

Lisa Kennedy of The Denver Post gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars and said, "From time to time the improbable occurs: A sequel outdoes its original."{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Lisa|title=Movie review: "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" delights as furry friends and a frenzied foes return Read more: Movie review: "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" delights as furry friends and a frenzied foes return|url=http://www.denverpost.com/movies/ci_20801069/madagascar-3-movie-review|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=June 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611024938/http://www.denverpost.com/movies/ci_20801069/madagascar-3-movie-review|url-status=live}} Colin Covert of Star Tribune said that Madagascar 3 set a high standard for cartoon comedy and was almost too good for kids. He gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars.{{cite news|last=Covert|first=Colin|title='Madagascar 3' is a class menagerie|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/157854335.html|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=StarTribune|date=June 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308234715/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/157854335.html|archive-date=March 8, 2013|url-status=dead}} Giving the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times said, "A neon-saturated, high-flying trapeze act with enough frenetic funny business that it's a wonder the folks behind this zillion-dollar franchise about zoo critters on the lam didn't send the animals to the circus sooner."{{cite news|last=Sharkey |first=Betsy |title=Movie review: 'Madagascar 3' runs away to the circus |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-madagascar-3-20120608,0,599068.story |access-date=September 17, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727144636/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-madagascar-3-20120608%2C0%2C599068.story |archive-date=July 27, 2012 }} Stephen Witty of the Newark Star-Ledger calls the movie "fun and fast family entertainment. […] the animals' jazzy circus performance, done in black-light colors and set to a Katy Perry song—may be one of the trippiest scenes in a mainstream kiddie movie since Dumbo saw those pink elephants."{{cite web|last=Whitty|first=Stephen|date=June 8, 2012|title=What a trip: 'Madagascar 3' has most fun since pink elephants were on parade|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2012/06/what_a_trip_madagascar_3_has_most_fun_since_pink_elephants_were_on_parade.html|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=June 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611024450/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2012/06/what_a_trip_madagascar_3_has_most_fun_since_pink_elephants_were_on_parade.html|url-status=live}} Film scholar Timothy Laurie writes that the plot development of Madagascar 3 is "met with large servings of personal growth and side dishes of overcooked romance".{{Citation | title= Becoming-Animal Is A Trap For Humans | first= Timothy | last= Laurie | journal= Deleuze and the Non-Human | year= 2013 | url= https://www.academia.edu/10912960 | access-date= June 23, 2015 | archive-date= August 13, 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210813203008/https://www.academia.edu/10912960 | url-status= live }} eds. Hannah Stark and Jon Roffe.

{{Main|Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (soundtrack)}}

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is the soundtrack of the film scored by Hans Zimmer and was released on June 5, 2012.{{cite web|title=Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=7675|publisher=Soundtrack.net|access-date=May 16, 2012|archive-date=May 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528074041/http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=7675|url-status=live}} "Afro Circus/I Like to Move It" peaked at 7 on the ARIA Hitseekers Singles chart on the week commencing October 15, 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1181.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20121023130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20121024-0000/Issue1181.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-23|title=The ARIA Report: Issue 1181|website=Webarchive.nla.gov.au|access-date=November 15, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In some variations of the soundtrack, "Cool Jerk" is featured in replacement of "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP. "Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO was only used in the theatrical trailer, and not included on the soundtrack and was replaced by "Firework" by Katy Perry for the circus. "Any Way You Want It" by Journey and the instrumental "Watermark" from the album of the same name by Enya were also used, but are not included on the soundtrack. "Land of Hope and Glory" by Edward Elgar appears in the track "Fur Power". The "Afro Circus" tune is from "Entrance of the Gladiators", by the Czech composer Julius Fučík.

A video game based on the film, Madagascar 3: The Video Game, was released on June 5, 2012.{{cite press release|author1=D3Publisher|title=D3Publisher Presents Big-Top Circus Fun in Madagascar 3: The Video Game Available Today in North America|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120605005175/en/D3Publisher-Presents-Big-Top-Circus-Fun-Madagascar-3|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=May 10, 2015|date=June 5, 2012|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925072828/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120605005175/en/D3Publisher-Presents-Big-Top-Circus-Fun-Madagascar-3|url-status=live}} The game allows gamers to play as Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria as they travel across Europe promoting the circus by performing stunts, circus acts and completing missions. It was released to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo DS. Published by D3 Publisher, the Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 versions were developed by Monkey Bar Games, and the 3DS and DS versions by Torus Games. The game received negative reviews from critics with Metacritic giving the Xbox 360 version a 45/100.{{cite web|title=Madagascar 3: The Video Game|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/madagascar-3-the-video-game/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=June 13, 2014|archive-date=November 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127185904/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/madagascar-3-the-video-game|url-status=live}}

A mobile video game, Madagascar: Join the Circus!, also published by D3 Publisher, was released on June 4, 2012, for iPhone and iPad. The game allows players to build a circus and play mini-games.{{cite press release|title=Madagascar: Join the Circus! App for iPad Now Available on the App Store|url=http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120604005303/en|access-date=September 13, 2012|publisher=Business Wire|date=June 4, 2012|author=DreamWorks Animation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191552/http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120604005303/en|archive-date=October 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Madagascar – Join the Circus!|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/madagascar-join-the-circus!/id518748978?ls=1&mt=8|publisher=iTunes|access-date=September 13, 2012|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109103639/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/madagascar-join-the-circus!/id518748978?ls=1&mt=8|url-status=dead}} The game was removed from App Stores on June 16, 2017.{{cite web|title=UPDATE: MADAGASCAR: JOIN THE CIRCUS STOREFRONT REMOVAL – JUNE 2017|url=https://d3go.com/news/update-madagascar-join-the-circus-storefront-removal-june-2017/|access-date=February 1, 2018|publisher=D3 Go!|date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205012037/https://d3go.com/news/update-madagascar-join-the-circus-storefront-removal-june-2017/|url-status=live}}

A comic book based on the film and titled Madagascar Digest Prequel: Long Live the King! was released on June 12, 2012, by Ape Entertainment.{{cite web|title=Madagascar 3|url=http://ape-entertainment.com/comics/licensed-properties/madagascar-3/|publisher=Ape Entertainment|access-date=April 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323041941/http://ape-entertainment.com/comics/licensed-properties/madagascar-3/|archive-date=March 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite book|title=Madagascar Digest Prequel: Long Live the King! (DreamWorks Graphic Novels)|isbn=978-1937676131|last1=Server|first1=David|last2=Lanzing|first2=Jackson|year=2012|publisher=Ape Entertainment }}

A spin-off film titled Penguins of Madagascar, depicting the adventures of penguin characters following the events of Madagascar 3, was released on November 26, 2014.{{cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Todd|title=DreamWorks Animation Switches Release Dates on 'Penguins of Madagascar' and 'Home'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-switches-release-dates-on-penguins-of-madagascar-and-home/|publisher=The Wrap|access-date=May 21, 2014|date=May 20, 2014|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118183743/https://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-switches-release-dates-on-penguins-of-madagascar-and-home/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Douglas|first1=Edward|title=Comic-Con Video Interviews: DreamWorks Animation's Penguins of Madagascar & Home|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=121035|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=July 26, 2014|date=July 25, 2014|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729223922/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=121035|url-status=live}}

In June 2014, it was announced that Madagascar 4 would be released on May 18, 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=119483 |title=Dates Set for Madagascar 4, The Croods 2, Puss in Boots 2, Captain Underpants, and Hitman |date=June 12, 2014 |publisher=ComingSoon.net |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=June 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616010449/https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=119483 |url-status=dead }} However, in January 2015, the film was removed from the release schedule following a corporate restructuring of DreamWorks Animation.{{cite web|title=New Dates & Changes |url=https://boxofficemojo.com:80/schedule/?view=changes&p=.htm |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127074138/http://boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=changes&p=.htm |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/dreamworks-animation-restructuring-to-cut-500-jobs-with-290m-charge-1201355918/|last=Lieberman|first=David|title=DreamWorks Animation Restructuring To Cut 500 Jobs With $290M Charge|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 22, 2015|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=January 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125032539/http://deadline.com/2015/01/dreamworks-animation-restructuring-to-cut-500-jobs-with-290m-charge-1201355918/|url-status=live}} In April 2017, Tom McGrath stated "There are things in the works, nothing is announced yet, but I think they'll show their faces once more."{{cite web|last1=Phelan|first1=Zehra|title=Exclusive: Director Tom McGrath confirms Madagascar 4 is in the works|url=http://www.heyuguys.com/madagascar-4-is-in-the-works/|publisher=HeyUGuys|access-date=April 4, 2017|date=April 3, 2017|archive-date=April 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404024042/http://www.heyuguys.com/madagascar-4-is-in-the-works/|url-status=live}}

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