In 2002, Blue Sky Studios struck gold with the release of the animated film “Ice Age,” captivating audiences with its lovable crew of prehistoric animals. The original cast featured Sid the clumsy sloth, Manny the reserved mammoth, Diego the sabre-toothed tiger, and the ever-determined squirrel Scrat on his never-ending acorn quest.
Over the years, the franchise has grown to include five additional films, introducing new characters like Manny’s romantic partner Ellie, the adventurous dinosaur tracker Buck, and Shira, a sabre-toothed pirate. Amassing a whopping $6 billion at the global box office, the franchise recently took a digital turn with its sixth instalment, “The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild,” premiering exclusively on Disney Plus.
Adding to the franchise’s expansion, a TV spin-off spotlighting Scrat’s escapades made its debut on the streaming service earlier this year.
In addition to the mainline six films, the “Ice Age” universe has expanded with a series of short films, predominantly centred around Scrat and his acorn-chasing adventures.
What sets the “Ice Age” franchise apart from many others is its uncomplicated timeline. The films were released in the same sequence as their events unfold, making it easy for newcomers or returning fans to dive back into the world of Manny, Sid, Diego, and company without confusion. If you’re thinking about revisiting the series, rest assured—it’s a straightforward journey through cinematic prehistory.
Read More: A24 Secures Rights to Colman Domingo’s Film ‘Sing Sing’ Following Toronto Film Festival
How to watch Ice Age movies in order, list of all Ice Age movies:
- Ice Age (2002)
- Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
1. Ice Age (2002)
Director: Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha (co-director)
Writer: Michael J. Wilson (story), Michael Berg (screenplay), Peter Ackerman (screenplay)
Stars: Ray Romano (Manfred), John Leguizamo (Sid), Denis Leary (Diego)
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
In the animated classic “Ice Age,” we meet Sid, the accident-prone sloth voiced by John Leguizamo, who finds himself separated from his family when a migration south to escape the approaching Ice Age begins. Sid’s mishaps lead him into a tangle with rhino-like Brontotheres, but he’s rescued by Manny, the sarcastic mammoth voiced by Ray Romano, who’s heading north against the current.
Meanwhile, there’s Scrat, the acorn-obsessed sabre-toothed squirrel, on a perpetual mission to bury his prized nut. Sid decides to join forces with Manny, and their journey takes a twist when they encounter a woman who, in a courageous act to protect her son from a sabre-toothed tiger, entrusts the baby to them.
Now, our unlikely trio is on a quest to reunite the child with his family. But here’s the catch: a sabre-toothed tiger named Diego, voiced by Denis Leary, has a vendetta and a mission to eliminate the baby as an act of revenge. However, as Diego crosses paths with Sid and Manny, unexpected bonds form, and he faces a dilemma – loyalty to his newfound friends or allegiance to his old tribe. “Ice Age” is a heartwarming adventure filled with humour, camaraderie, and tough choices.
2. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Writer: Peter Gaulke, Gerry Swallow, Jim Hecht (screenplay)
Stars: Ray Romano (Manfred), John Leguizamo (Sid), Denis Leary (Diego)
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
In the sequel to the original “Ice Age” movie, our trio of characters – Sid, Manny, and Diego – stumble upon what they initially believe to be a sheltered valley enclosed by an immense ice wall. However, their perception of safety is shattered when they discover that this icy barrier is, in fact, a fragile dam barely holding back an enormous body of water.
The impending catastrophe looms large as the dam’s integrity teeters on the edge, threatening to submerge the entire valley under nearly a mile of water. Their only hope lies on the far side of the valley, where a boat awaits, but the clock is ticking with just a narrow three-day window before disaster strikes.
As they embark on their perilous journey, their paths intersect with Ellie, a female mammoth with a voice as powerful as Queen Latifah herself. Manny finds himself initially smitten by Ellie’s charm, only to discover a quirkier side to her – she believes she’s a possum and is accompanied by two mischievous possum “brothers,” Crash and Eddie.
Meanwhile, Sid takes centre stage when he encounters a tribe of diminutive sloths who hold him in the highest regard, considering him a deity. With time running out and loyalty and identity hanging in the balance, the trio faces critical decisions. Will Sid choose to remain with his newfound followers, or will they all succeed in escaping the impending deluge of the valley? “Ice Age: The Meltdown” unfolds another riveting prehistoric adventure filled with humour, unexpected twists, and profound lessons about friendship and self-discovery.
3. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Writer: Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss
Stars: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
In the latest adventure featuring our beloved Ice Age gang, Sid becomes anxious about being left behind by his expecting friends, Manny and Ellie. To remedy his loneliness, he makes a daring move by swiping three dinosaur eggs. Trouble ensues when the eggs’ fierce T. rex mother comes hunting for them, leading to an unexpected journey deep into an underground world filled with supposedly extinct dinosaurs.
Manny and the gang embark on a rescue mission, encountering a quirky one-eyed weasel named Buck, played by the talented Simon Pegg. Buck is on a relentless quest for revenge against a menacing dinosaur named Rudy.
While all this action unfolds, our favourite sabre-toothed squirrel, Scrat, finds himself in a love story of his own. But will his newfound romance manage to compete with his undying obsession with that ever-elusive acorn?
Get ready for a thrilling and hilarious ride as our Ice Age pals navigate parenthood, prehistoric perils, and Scrat’s enduring acorn quest in this exciting new instalment!
Read More: Top 14 Must-See Shark Films Currently Streaming on Netflix.
4. Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Director: Steve Martino, Mike Thurmeier
Writer: Michael Berg, Jason Fuchs
Stars: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
In a delightful sequel set 16 years after the events of “Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” Manny, our lovable mammoth, finds himself in an unexpected predicament. He’s become overly protective of his now teenage daughter, Peaches, portrayed by the talented Keke Palmer. This overbearing parenting style drives Peaches away, setting the stage for some family drama.
Meanwhile, our determined sabre-toothed squirrel, Scrat, is still on his relentless quest to bury that elusive acorn. However, this time, his antics lead to some major consequences – the breaking up of the ice! This icy catastrophe results in Manny, Sid, Diego, and even Sid’s Granny (voiced by the hilarious Wanda Sykes) getting stranded on a drifting ice fragment, separated from Ellie and Peaches.
But the adventure is far from over. Our gang encounters a group of cunning pirates, led by the dastardly Captain Gutt, brought to life by the incomparable Peter Dinklage. Now, they must summon all their courage to escape the clutches of these menacing seafarers and embark on a perilous journey to find their way back home. Adding a twist to the tale, Diego’s emotions are thrown into turmoil by Shira, the first mate of Gutt’s crew, portrayed by the enchanting Jennifer Lopez.
Get ready for an epic voyage filled with family dynamics, daring escapades, and unexpected romances in this exciting new chapter of the Ice Age saga!
5. Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
Director: Mike Thurmeier, Galen T. Chu
Writer: Michael J. Wilson, Michael Berg, Yoni Brenner
Stars: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
The excitement is building as Ellie and Manny prepare for their daughter Peaches’ upcoming wedding to Julian, a fellow mammoth. However, the festivities are overshadowed by Manny’s reluctance to embrace Julian, despite Peaches’ pleas for him to give her future husband a chance.
Meanwhile, our acorn-obsessed friend, Scrat, finds himself on an extraordinary journey that propels him into the stratosphere, inadvertently setting off a series of cosmic events. These events include asteroids hurtling toward Earth, posing a grave danger to Manny and the gang.
To safeguard against another cataclysmic impact, our beloved crew, along with the fearless Buck, embark on a daring adventure to Geotopia. This secluded community is inhabited by immortal creatures and is nestled inside an asteroid that crash-landed on Earth many years ago. Within this extraordinary place, they encounter captivating characters like the Zen-loving Shangri Llama, portrayed by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Brooke the sloth, voiced by Jessie J, who finds herself smitten with Sid.
Get ready for a heartwarming and cosmic journey filled with love, laughter, and unexpected friendships as our Ice Age pals venture into the enchanting world of Geotopia!
Read More: Complete Guide to Watching The Hunger Games Movies In Order.
6. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022)
Director: John C. Donkin
Writer: Jim Hecht, William Schifrin, Ray DeLaurentis
Stars: Simon Pegg, Jake Green, Queen Latifah
Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
In a daring adventure, the mischievous possum brothers, Crash and Eddie, decide to prove their independence by venturing away from the herd’s camp. Little did they know that their escapade would lead them to the entrance of the Lost World, a realm where dinosaurs still roam freely.
Their unexpected encounter reunites them with their old friend, Buck, who informs them of a new threat in the dinosaur world. A Protoceratops named Orson, voiced by Utkarsh Ambudkar, is attempting to seize control of this prehistoric domain.
To thwart Orson’s ambitions, Crash, Eddie, and Buck must join forces with Buck’s former dinosaur-hunting comrades, as well as the formidable Momma Dino, the T-rex whose offspring were briefly adopted (or perhaps, kidnapped) by Sid in a previous adventure.
It’s worth noting that the sixth instalment of the Ice Age series introduces an entirely new voice cast, with Simon Pegg reprising his role as the adventurous Buck. Get ready for another epic Ice Age journey filled with thrilling escapades and a fresh cast of characters!
Wrap-up
Ice Age is an American animated movie which centers around a group of mammals who are surviving the challenges, and learning valuable life lessons.
In this blog, we have mentioned all the necessary details about how to watch Ice Age movies in order so that you can enjoy them easily.
