How to Train Your Dragon currently beats Madagascar 57–43
The dragon's heart pulls ahead of the zoo animals' antics.
Who do you think should win?
The Verdict
When How to Train Your Dragon leads, it's because the film simply reaches higher. The first flight over the water, Toothless's slow thaw from monster to friend, the way real weight and injury enter a kids' cartoon — it lands with families whose children are old enough to feel it. Madagascar is the easier, sillier watch, and for very young kids it may be the smarter call. A modest edge to Dragon says the room has some older kids in it, the kind who want a story that soars and aren't put off by a couple of genuinely scary dragons. It's the one the parents will happily rewatch.
The Numbers
| Madagascar | How to Train Your Dragon | |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head | 43% | 57% |
| Overall Win Rate | 43% | 57% |
| Championships | 7 | 16 |
| Avg Decision | 6.1s | 5.8s |
| Budget | $75M | $165M |
| Box Office | $542M | $495M |
Where This Matchup Sits
Madagascar returned 7.2x its budget; How to Train Your Dragon managed 3.0x. But How to Train Your Dragon wins the bracket matchup — commercial efficiency doesn't carry over.
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region.
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