Television series
All Hail King Julien
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
- Relentless
A prequel to Madagascar following King Julien's rise to power in the jungle, before the zoosters arrive. It's a anarchic, rapid-fire comedy built on voice acting and absurdist humour, where every scene is designed to make you laugh rather than develop a narrative arc. Best for kids who love chaos and parents willing to laugh at jokes aimed at both audiences.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you enjoy broad, silly sitcom mayhem where a vain, self-important ruler's pomp is the joke, and you're happy with slapstick and running gags over a clever plot.
Skip it if you need a story that builds momentum, since each episode is a self-contained romp that resets, and its humour rarely gets past the sugar-rush level.
What it asks of you: Twenty-four-minute episodes, sixty-five of them across five seasons, played fast and bright, so it asks for little focus and a willingness to be loud and silly for a while.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012
If you love King Julien's energy and the movie's commitment to maximum zaniness, this is the obvious entry point—louder, brighter, and packed with set pieces designed purely to delight.
But It's a third film in a franchise, so the novelty has worn thin by then, and the plot is pretty thin scaffolding for the jokes.
The Lego Movie2014
Similar philosophy: anarchic pacing, jokes layered for kids and adults, an everything-goes tone where the film jumps from one bit to the next without letting energy drop for a second.
But The constant references and celebrity voices can feel exhausting if you're not in the right headspace, and the actual story underneath is thinner than it appears.
Bee Movie2007
Another Jerry Seinfeld-led comedy with ensemble voice acting, a protagonist who talks fast and doesn't stop, and that mid-2000s kids' film energy where every frame is trying to be funny.
But It's become a meme for good reason—the humour can feel thin and dated, and the story goes to genuinely weird places that don't quite land.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from All Hail King Julien
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
BoJack Horseman2014
Both centre on charismatic, incorrigible characters who won't stop performing, who use humour to avoid real feeling. Both are built on the idea that a great voice actor doing a character at full throttle can carry you through anything. King Julien is what happens when that character never faces consequences; Bojack is what happens when they finally do.
A show that starts as absurdist comedy about talking animals in Hollywood and becomes genuinely sophisticated without losing the anarchic energy. The voice acting is masterclass, and the comedy never stops even when the show gets dark.
But It's adult animation tackling depression, addiction, and moral failure. If you're expecting the cheerful chaos of King Julien, you'll hit a wall around episode three when you realize the show has teeth.
More like this (5)
Madagascar2005
The foundation. King Julien is already the funniest character, and this film gives you the core cast and the tone that All Hail King Julien spins into its own thing.
But Watched now, it feels quainter and slower than you'd expect; the jokes have been absorbed into meme culture so thoroughly they've lost their snap.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power2018
Strong voice cast, rapid comedic timing, colourful cast of characters, and genuine warmth underneath the jokes. Episodes move at a clip and don't overstay their welcome.
But It's a action-adventure with genuine emotional stakes, so if you're looking for pure chaos and no weight, this will slow down in ways that might feel heavy.
Amphibia2019
Smart writing with strong comic timing, a cast you grow attached to, and a surprising amount of heart. Episodes are short and punchy, designed to entertain kids without talking down to them.
But The overarching story takes time to build, so early episodes can feel like they're spinning their wheels while you're waiting for the world to open up.
Hilda2018
Beautifully animated, genuinely funny, with a great ensemble cast and real narrative momentum. It balances humour with genuine adventure and stakes in a way that keeps you watching.
But It's darker and more serious than King Julien—if you're after pure comedy chaos, this will feel like it keeps slowing down to care about its characters and world.
The Owl House2020
Both are built on charm and voice acting, and both understand that animation lets you do things live-action can't. But The Owl House is the inverse—it uses that freedom to build something substantial, whereas King Julien uses it to build something pure. Same tool, opposite direction.
Starts as a bright, funny adventure show and quietly becomes one of the best animated series made—sharp jokes, great voice work, a cast you'd follow anywhere, and genuine craft in how it builds its world. Episodes are snappy and designed to entertain without preaching.
But It's built on serialized storytelling and character development, which means early episodes can feel slight if you're waiting for the bigger picture; it rewards patience in ways King Julien doesn't require.
