Fans of the Ice Age franchise can rejoice: the beloved animated series is making a comeback with Ice Age 6, which is currently in production, Disney and 20th Century Animation confirmed in a recent announcement.
In a video shared with fans, Disney revealed that the familiar voices of Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd will return for the new sequel. The voice cast will include Ray Romano (Manny), John Leguizamo (Sid), Queen Latifah (Ellie), Denis Leary (Diego), and Simon Pegg (Buck). The announcement also sparked excitement among long-time fans who have followed the adventures of these prehistoric animals since the first film was released in 2002.
The Ice Age franchise, which has become a staple of family entertainment, has seen several successful installments, but it has been some time since the last major theatrical release. The most recent film, Ice Age: Collision Course, hit theaters in 2016 and earned a solid $408.5 million globally, though it faced mixed reviews from critics. In particular, the film garnered an 18% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that audiences generally enjoyed the film more than the critics did.
The Ice Age series began as a hit animated feature in 2002, introducing audiences to a lovable group of prehistoric animals navigating the challenges of the ice age. The first film starred Ray Romano as the woolly mammoth Manny, John Leguizamo as the sloth Sid, and Denis Leary as the saber-toothed tiger Diego. The films went on to explore the adventures of this quirky group of characters as they faced everything from meteor showers to cavemen, all while building lasting friendships. The original film was followed by Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016).
In addition to the main feature films, the Ice Age franchise has expanded with various short films, TV specials, and spin-off series. Notably, the 2022 film The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, which centered on the character of Buck, a weasel voiced by Simon Pegg, was released as a Disney+ exclusive and was a spin-off that introduced new adventures within the Ice Age universe.
While the films have been beloved by audiences for their humor, heart, and colorful animation, they have often drawn mixed reviews from critics, with some entries in the franchise facing backlash for being formulaic or overly reliant on slapstick comedy. Collision Course, for example, was noted for its lack of fresh ideas, leading to a drop in critical approval. However, the films have continued to perform well at the box office, indicating their lasting popularity among families, particularly young children.
Despite the critical divide, the Ice Age series has remained a lucrative property for Disney, which acquired the franchise through its purchase of 21st Century Fox in 2019. The films have grossed billions worldwide, making it one of the most successful animated franchises of all time.
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The announcement of Ice Age 6 comes as part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to expand its content across both theatrical releases and streaming platforms. With Disney now heavily invested in Disney+, it’s unclear whether the new Ice Age film will be released in theaters or directly on the streaming service, especially in light of the recent trend of releasing animated films on streaming platforms for convenience and safety during the pandemic.
As for the release date, Disney has not yet provided an update on when Ice Age 6 will make its debut in cinemas or on any streaming platform. The film’s production is still underway, and fans can likely expect more details to surface as the studio finalizes its plans for the release.
