Ice Age 6: Release Date, Cast, Story & Everything We Know (2024)

After the arrival The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, questions surrounding a possible Ice Age 6 have begun to crop up. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild sees the possum twins Crash and Eddie return to the Lost World, where they’re rescued by Buck Wild and the three set off on an adventure in the underbelly of the prehistoric region. Although the franchise as a whole has been slowly shifting focus from its original main characters throughout the past few movies, the latest film is the first that doesn’t primarily feature Manny, Sid, or Diego.

The Ice Age series recently saw a shift in ownership when Disney bought the movie franchise after taking over 20th Century Fox and shutting down the original animation studio, Blue Sky. That decision suggests that Ice Age may find itself a more permanent home on the Disney+ platform, but Disney has yet to make their full intentions clear regarding the series' future. Though The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild was a somewhat lackluster addition, Disney has officially announced Ice Age 6 with the beloved original cast and characters returning once again.

Ice Age 6 Latest News

The Release Date Is Announced

Mere days after the movie was officially confirmed by Disney, the latest news reveals the release date for Ice Age 6. Assuming a calendar spot previously held by a mystery Star Wars project, the upcoming family-friendly comedy is slated to premiere on December 18, 2026. Though this release date is in the distant future, it's another sure sign that the heroes of the Ice Age franchise are indeed returning once again. As announced in previous updates, Ice Age 6 will premiere theatrically, and won't be a Disney+ exclusive.

Ice Age 6 Release Date

Another Prehistoric Adventure Arrives In 2026

Although The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild seemingly put the franchise on hold indefinitely, Disney announced that Ice Age 6 was in the works in November 2024. Along with the news that the movie was happening, the company also revealed that Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg, and Denis Leary would all be on hand to reprise their roles from the earlier films. Now, Disney has scheduled the movie to premiere on December 18, 2026. With such a distant release date, changes are always possible.

Though the movie is being called Ice Age 6, it is technically the seventh movie in the franchise thus far. Few other details are known about the movie yet, but it is known that Ice Age 6 will be a theatrical release, and won't be relegated to Disney+. The returns of most of the series' biggest names suggests that Disney is leaning heavily on the franchise's blockbuster potential, and it could correct course following the less-than-stellar release of Buck Wild.

Ice Age 6 Cast Details

The Original Cast Is Returning Once Again

Though the franchise was in limbo for years, the announcement of Ice Age 6 also came with the news that the main cast was returning once again. Helping to announce the movie in November 2024, Ray Romano is set to reprise his role as the patient mammoth, Manny, while Queen Latifah is back as Ellie (another mammoth). John Leguizamo will return to play the role of the lovable sloth, Sid, while Denis Leary will once again voice the cantankerous sabertooth tiger, Diego. Bridging the gap between the mainline Ice Age's sequels and the spinoff, Simon Pegg is playing Buck again.

The cast of Ice Age 6 includes:

Actor	Ice Age Role
Ray Romano	Manny
John Leguizamo	Sid
Denis Leary	Diego
Queen Latifah	Ellie
Simon Pegg	Buck

Ice Age 6 Story Details

A Classic Ice Age Adventure Is Expected

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild might not be a good indication of where the series is headed, since the movie failed to move the needle with fans. Though Buck is confirmed to return in the next movie, Ice Age 6 seems to be shifting focus back to the original gang, especially since all the actors are returning. The franchise has gotten bigger and more over-the-top with each passing sequel, and it's unclear exactly where things can head next after a slew of sequels proved that the titular age was coming to an end.

Like other sequels, Ice Age 6 could see Manny, Ellie, Sid, Diego, and Buck trying to adjust to a new climate age, or it could invent some new zany adventure for them to embark upon. Until Disney reveals more about their plans for the franchise, it's unclear if Ice Age 6 is going to be a big sendoff for the popular heroes, or if it is merely the start of another string of potential blockbuster movies.

Ice Age

The Ice Age franchise is a popular animated film series produced by Blue Sky Studios, centering around a group of prehistoric animals surviving the Pleistocene ice age. Led by a woolly mammoth named Manny, the films feature his adventures alongside a sloth named Sid and a saber-toothed tiger named Diego. Known for its humor, heartwarming themes, and memorable characters, the series has expanded to include spin-offs, short films, and TV specials. The franchise continues to captivate audiences with its colorful animation, family-friendly humor, and ongoing stories of friendship and survival.

Created by

Chris Wedge , Carlos Saldanha

First Film

Ice Age

Latest Film

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild

Upcoming Films

Ice Age 6

Cast

Ray Romano , John Leguizamo , Denis Leary , Queen Latifah , Simon Pegg , Seann William Scott , Josh Peck , Keke Palmer , Chris Wedge

Character(s)

Manny , Sid , Diego , Ellie , Scrat , Peaches , Buck , Crash , Eddie

Video Game(s)

Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure

Summary

The Ice Age franchise is a popular animated film series produced by Blue Sky Studios, centering around a group of prehistoric animals surviving the Pleistocene ice age. Led by a woolly mammoth named Manny, the films feature his adventures alongside a sloth named Sid and a saber-toothed tiger named Diego. Known for its humor, heartwarming themes, and memorable characters, the series has expanded to include spin-offs, short films, and TV specials. The franchise continues to captivate audiences with its colorful animation, family-friendly humor, and ongoing stories of friendship and survival.