In “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” Jim Carrey learns to live with six penguins. Before that, the flightless birds have marched, danced, and even surfed into viewers’ hearts in these children’s films.
Starring Roles
“Happy Feet” (2006)
Directors: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Judy Morris; Starring: Elijah Wood (voice), Brittany Murphy (voice), Hugh Jackman (voice)
Rated PG for some mild peril and rude humor
Emperor Penguin Mumble (Elijah Wood) can’t sing. This is embarrassing, since penguins find their mates with their voice. Soon, he realizes he’s got another talent: dancing. Will a newfound love interest love him anyway?
“March of the Penguins” (2005)
Director: Luc Jacquet; Starring: Morgan Freeman (narrator)
Rated G
In an extraordinary documentary, French filmmaker Luc Jacquet shows how the Emperor Penguins process across Antarctica’s frozen tundra to mate and tend to their eggs. The fathers endure a harsh vigil, protecting the eggs while the mothers return to the sea to feed and to bring back food.
“Surf’s Up” (2007)
Directors: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck; Starring: Shia LaBeouf (voice), Zooey Deschanel (voice), Jon Heder (voice), Jeff Bridges (voice)
Rated PG; mild language and humor
An animated mockumentary, this silly send-up chronicles the annual Penguin World Surfing Championship. Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) is the newest contender, who hopes to live up to the legend of his idol, Big Z.
“The Pebble and the Penguin” (1995)
Director: Don Bluth and Gary Goldman; Starring: Martin Short (voice), Annie Golden (voice), Tim Curry (voice)
Rated G
In keeping with an ancient penguin ceremony, an introverted penguin named Hubie (Martin Short) plans to present a special pebble to the bird of his dreams. But when a rival knocks him off the ice, Hubie ends up imprisoned on a ship. He and a new friend escape and find their way back home, where Hubie must confront his nemesis.
“The Adventures of Scamper the Penguin” (1986)
Director: Gennadiy Sokolskiy, Kenji Yoshida; Starring: Virginia Masters (voice), David Miles Monson (voice), William Oliver (voice)
Not rated
Two penguins get stranded on a drifting iceberg and are caught by a man who wants to sell them to the zoo. Fortunately, they meet a macaroni penguin who promises to escape and warn their families. A generation of parents may remember this film from their childhood.
Featured Players
“Madagascar” (2005)
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath; Starring: Ben Stiller (voice), Chris Rock (voice), David Schwimmer (voice), Jada Pinkett Smith (voice)
Rated PG for mild language, crude humor and some thematic elements
While “Madagascar” and its sequels focus on a lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo who are stranded in Madagascar, the ultra-confident but equally incompetent penguins often steal the show. Also, look for a DVD and a TV series featuring the penguins.
“Wallace and Gromit in The Wrong Trousers” (1993)
Director: Nick Park; Starring: Peter Sallis (voice)
Not rated
In this Oscar-winning plasticine animation film, eccentric inventor Wallace (Peter Sallie) is oblivious to the fact that a mysterious lodger is also a wanted criminal. Feathers McGraw also happens to be a small penguin, wearing a rooster hat as a disguise!
“Mary Poppins” (1964)
Director: Robert Stevenson; Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke
Rated G
The classic Disney movie stars Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, the magically gifted nanny who enlivens the boring lives of a British family. In an iconic scene, chimney sweep Bert (Dick Van Dyke) dances with animated penguins.
