The DreamWorks Madagascar PEZ Dispenser Set Is the Zoo Crew Collectible Every Animated Film Fan Needs to Own
Welcome to the wild side of the display shelf - grab a pack of candy and let's talk about one of the most charming animated movie sets PEZ has ever released.
Meet the Madagascar PEZ Dispenser Set
The DreamWorks Madagascar PEZ Dispenser Set arrived in 2005, timed to the theatrical debut of DreamWorks Animation's breakout hit Madagascar. Released under an official DreamWorks license, this retired set introduced three beloved characters to the PEZ lineup: Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and Marty the Zebra. Each dispenser captures the bright, expressive character design of the film, making this a standout set for both animated film fans and dedicated PEZ collectors alike.
The Characters Up Close
The set consists of three dispensers, each riding a standard PEZ stem. What immediately draws the eye is the use of soft, flexible ears on both Gloria the Hippo and Marty the Zebra - a tactile design detail that sets these dispensers apart from the typical all-hard-plastic releases of the era. Gloria features rounded, floppy ears in a soft lilac-gray tone, while Marty's zebra ears stand up with a satisfying squish that feels playful in hand.
Alex the Lion rounds out the trio with a wide, expressive mane and a boldly painted face. Alex actually came in two documented paint variations: one version features a line painted from the nose to the mouth, and the other version omits it entirely. Both are officially released variants, adding a fun layer of completionism for collectors who want to tell the full story of this set on their shelf.
All three dispensers measure approximately four inches in height, consistent with the standard PEZ form factor, and are crafted in multicolor plastic that faithfully reflects each character's look from the film. The character head sculpts are proportionally larger and more expressive than many contemporary PEZ releases, giving the set a lively, animated energy that reads beautifully on a display.
A Design Detail Worth Noting
The soft, flexible ear feature on both Gloria and Marty is the clear standout design choice here. PEZ does not incorporate rubber or pliable components all that often, and when they do, it signals that the license was taken seriously. These ears are not an afterthought - they add dimension and character accuracy that makes the set feel thoughtfully crafted rather than a rushed movie tie-in release.
Marty the Zebra also exists in two additional mold variations: a large-pupil, square-back version and a small-pupil, round-back version. Both are confirmed official releases, making the Zebra alone a multi-variant character that rewards closer attention from collectors who enjoy tracking down every documented version of a set.
A set that uses soft, flexible ears to distinguish two of its three characters is quietly telling you something: the designers were paying attention to the source material, not just slapping a licensed face on a stem. That kind of sculpt-level detail is exactly what earns permanent shelf space in a serious collection.
The Set That Almost Had Five
One of the most interesting footnotes about this release is how close it came to being a larger set. Skipper the Penguin and a Giraffe were both considered for the Madagascar PEZ lineup. The Giraffe reportedly made it as far as the back of a European card before disappearing, and Skipper was pulled from the lineup before the first sets were shipped. Neither was officially released as part of the original 2005 set, so the confirmed and complete release remains the trio of Alex, Gloria, and Marty. Skipper would eventually earn his own dispenser - but not until 2015, a full decade later.
Collector Notes
- Official license: DreamWorks Animation - Madagascar (2005)
- Status: Retired - no longer available through official PEZ channels
- Characters included: Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, Marty the Zebra
- Notable variants: Alex the Lion exists in two paint versions (with and without a line from nose to mouth); Marty the Zebra exists in large-pupil/square-back and small-pupil/round-back mold variants
- Display value: High - the trio displays beautifully together, and the expressive sculpts hold up well alongside other licensed animated film PEZ sets
- Ideal for: DreamWorks collectors, animated movie tie-in collectors, and anyone who watched Madagascar in theaters and never quite got it out of their head
This set sits right at the intersection of licensed movie merchandise and genuinely well-executed dispenser design. I have it on my need list in the Collectiblz app because tracking down a carded set with the documented Alex variants is exactly the kind of satisfying puzzle that keeps collecting interesting. If you want a great way to organize your own needs and haves across sets like this one, give the Collectiblz app a look - it is built for collectors like us.
The retired status makes this one a fun hunt, and finding the full set carded is a real reward for anyone who values both display quality and a bit of animated film history.
Happy collecting 🍬 Callie
