By Marquee Editorial6 entries
The Ice Age franchise follows the comical adventures of Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger as they navigate prehistoric changes to their world. Across six feature films, the core group expands to include other memorable characters like the one-eyed weasel Buck and possum brothers Crash and Eddie. Because the films build directly upon each other chronologically—progressing from a world on the brink of an ice age through melting ice, dinosaurs, drifting continents, and cosmic events—watching them in release order is the best way to experience the narrative continuity and character developments.

Ice Age
Movie, 2002
This 2002 film introduces Manny, Sid, and Diego as they go on a comical quest to return a human baby to his father across a world on the brink of an ice age.

Ice Age: The Meltdown
Movie, 2006
In this 2006 sequel, the deep freeze ends and melting ice threatens the trio's cherished valley, prompting them to reunite and warn the valley's inhabitants of the impending disaster.

Read what its ending meant, or search for another franchise.
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Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Movie, 2009
Released in 2009, this entry finds times changing for the heroes as life heats up and they encounter new, none-too-friendly neighbors in the form of mighty dinosaurs.

Ice Age: Continental Drift
Movie, 2012
The 2012 film has Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure using an iceberg as a ship after their continent is set adrift, battling pirates and exploring a new world.

Ice Age: Collision Course
Movie, 2016
Set after Continental Drift, this 2016 installment follows Scrat's acorn pursuit into space, where cosmic events threaten the planet and force the group to try and save themselves.

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild
Movie, 2022
This 2022 release features the fearless one-eyed weasel Buck teaming up with mischievous possum brothers Crash and Eddie for an adventure into the Dinosaur World.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ice Age | Movie | 2002 | ★ 7.4 | Not yet |
| 2 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Movie | 2006 | ★ 6.7 | Not yet |
| 3 | Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | Movie | 2009 | ★ 6.8 | Not yet |
| 4 | Ice Age: Continental Drift | Movie | 2012 | ★ 6.4 | Not yet |
| 5 | Ice Age: Collision Course | Movie | 2016 | ★ 6.1 | Not yet |
| 6 | The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild | Movie | 2022 | ★ 6.5 | Not yet |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
You should start with the original 2002 movie, Ice Age, which introduces the core trio of Manny, Sid, and Diego as they embark on their very first quest together.
Yes, watching the films in release order is recommended because it follows the chronological progression of the characters' lives and the changing prehistoric environment.
None of the entries can be skipped if you want to experience the complete narrative and character arcs from the beginning through the later adventures in the Dinosaur World.
Watch in this order: 1. Ice Age, 2. Ice Age: The Meltdown, 3. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, 4. Ice Age: Continental Drift, 5. Ice Age: Collision Course, 6. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild.
This guide lists 6 entries, released between 2002 and 2022.
Ice Age has the highest average rating in this guide, at 7.4 out of 10.