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Ice Age

Ice Age is a 2002 American animated adventure comedy film that follows a woolly mammoth, a sloth, and a saber-toothed tiger as they try to return a lost human baby to its tribe during a prehistoric ice age.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ice Age is a 2002 American animated adventure comedy film directed by Chris Wedge. It follows a woolly mammoth, a sloth, and a saber-toothed tiger as they return a lost human baby to its tribe during the Pleistocene ice age. The film launched a long-running franchise that includes multiple sequels and a 2022 streaming film.

Premise

The film is set during the Pleistocene ice age and follows a mismatched group of prehistoric animals who band together to return a lost human infant to its family. The story combines survival, comedy, and action.

Franchise

Ice Age began as a single animated film in 2002 and expanded into a franchise of theatrical sequels. Later entries continued the adventures of Manny, Sid, Diego, and other recurring characters.

Characters and voice cast

The core trio is Manny the woolly mammoth, Sid the ground sloth, and Diego the saber-toothed cat. In the original film, Ray Romano voices Manny, John Leguizamo voices Sid, and Denis Leary voices Diego.

Release history

The main film series includes five theatrical releases between 2002 and 2016, followed by a sixth theatrical film scheduled for 2027. A separate streaming title, Ice Age: The Adventure of Buck Wild, was released in 2022.

Key facts

  • The original film centers on Manny, Sid, and Diego helping return a human baby to its tribe.
  • Sid the Sloth is voiced by John Leguizamo.
  • The main theatrical films are five, from Ice Age (2002) through Ice Age: Collision Course (2016).
  • A sixth theatrical film, Ice Age: Boiling Point, is set for release on February 5, 2027.
  • The franchise also includes the 2022 streaming film Ice Age: The Adventure of Buck Wild.
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Canadian context

The film was widely released in Canada as part of the global Ice Age franchise and remains familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical releases, television, and streaming.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ice Age about?
It follows a woolly mammoth, a sloth, and a saber-toothed tiger who work together to return a lost human baby to its tribe during a prehistoric ice age.
How many Ice Age movies are there?
There are five main theatrical Ice Age films released so far, plus the 2022 streaming film Ice Age: The Adventure of Buck Wild. A sixth theatrical film is scheduled for 2027.
Who voices Sid the Sloth?
John Leguizamo voices Sid the Sloth in the original Ice Age film.
What is the order of Ice Age movies?
The main theatrical order is: 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), and Ice Age: Boiling Point (2027).
Is there a new Ice Age movie?
Yes. Ice Age: Boiling Point is scheduled for release on February 5, 2027.
What animals are in Ice Age?
The main trio is a woolly mammoth, a ground sloth, and a saber-toothed cat. The film also features Scrat, a prehistoric squirrel-like character.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Age_(2002_film)
    Supports: Original film premise, 2002 release, main cast, sequel list, and the reported 2027 film.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ice-age-2002
    Supports: Story premise and Sid's voice actor in the original film.
  3. Cinema.com — https://www.cinema.com/articles/813/ice-age-production-notes.phtml
    Supports: Main characters and voice cast descriptions.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Age_(2002_movie)
    Supports: Film premise, character list, and sequel release order.