The Ice Age franchise is one of the most beloved animated movie series, featuring hilarious characters, adventurous storytelling, and breathtaking animation.
Spanning multiple movies and short films, it has been a staple of family entertainment since its debut in 2002.
Whether you’re new to the Ice Age franchise or a longtime fan looking to rewatch, knowing the correct order to watch these movies can enhance your experience.
Should you watch them by release date or follow the chronological order? This guide will answer that question and provide everything you need to know about Ice Age movies in order, including short films, spin-offs, characters, and future plans.
Ice Age Movies in Order of Release Date
The Ice Age movies were released over two decades, starting in 2002 and continuing with multiple sequels and spin-offs. Watching them in release order follows the original cinematic experience.
Main Ice Age Movies in Order of Release Date
| Movie | Release Date | Director | Box Office (Worldwide) |
| Ice Age | March 15, 2002 | Chris Wedge | $383.3 million |
| Ice Age: The Meltdown | March 31, 2006 | Carlos Saldanha | $660.9 million |
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | July 1, 2009 | Carlos Saldanha | $886.6 million |
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | July 13, 2012 | Steve Martino, Mike Thurmeier | $877.2 million |
| Ice Age: Collision Course | July 22, 2016 | Mike Thurmeier, Galen T. Chu | $408.6 million |
| The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (Spin-off) | January 28, 2022 (Disney+) | John C. Donkin | N/A (Streaming Release) |
Each movie expands the franchise’s world, introducing new characters like Ellie, Peaches, Buck, and Shira, while maintaining the core trio of Manny, Sid, and Diego.
Ice Age Short Films in Order of Release Date
Alongside the main movies, several short films were released featuring Scrat, the squirrel who relentlessly chases his acorn. These shorts provide additional fun and insight into the Ice Age world.
All Ice Age Short Films in Order of Release Date
| Short Film | Release Year | Duration |
| Gone Nutty | 2002 | 4 min |
| No Time for Nuts | 2006 | 7 min |
| Surviving Sid | 2008 | 7 min |
| Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up | 2010 | 3 min |
| Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 | 2011 | 3 min |
| Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe | 2015 | 5 min |
| Scrat: Spaced Out | 2016 | 15 min |
These short films often tie into the main movies, especially those focusing on Scrat, whose antics are indirectly responsible for major events like continental drift and asteroid impact.
Ice Age Movies and Short Films in Chronological Order
If you prefer to watch the Ice Age movies in the chronological order of events rather than release order, here’s how the timeline unfolds:
- Ice Age (2002) – The Ice Age begins, introducing Manny, Sid, Diego, and Scrat.
- Gone Nutty (2002) – Scrat’s never-ending quest for his acorn continues.
- Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) – The glaciers begin to melt, and the herd meets Ellie, Crash, and Eddie.
- No Time for Nuts (2006) – Scrat discovers time travel.
- Surviving Sid (2008) – Sid accidentally leads a group of young campers.
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) – The herd ventures into a hidden world of dinosaurs and meets Buck.
- Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up (2010) – Scrat causes the continents to drift apart.
- Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 (2011) – Scrat’s actions continue to shape the planet.
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) – The herd is separated by drifting continents.
- Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe (2015) – Scrat’s actions send an asteroid toward Earth.
- Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) – The herd tries to prevent extinction.
- Scrat: Spaced Out (2016) – Scrat’s space adventure.
- The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022) – Buck, Crash, and Eddie explore the Lost World.
Watching in chronological order gives a cohesive understanding of the story, especially how Scrat’s acorn obsession leads to major global events.
Where to Watch the Ice Age Movies and Shorts
With Blue Sky Studios acquired by Disney, most of the Ice Age movies and short films are available on Disney+.
Current Streaming Platforms
| Platform | Movies Available |
| Disney+ | All Ice Age movies & shorts |
| Hulu | The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent/Purchase options available |
| Apple TV | Rent/Purchase options available |
| Netflix | Limited availability |
For the best experience, Disney+ is the go-to platform as it holds exclusive rights to the franchise.
Will There Be More Ice Age Movies?
After Ice Age: Collision Course, it seemed like the franchise had ended, but Disney revived it with The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022).
Possible Future Projects
- More Spin-Offs – Buck Wild’s movie opened the door for more character-driven films.
- Scrat’s Return – Despite legal disputes over Scrat, he remains a fan favorite.
- A Reboot or Sequel – Disney may reboot the franchise under 20th Century Animation.
Though nothing is officially announced, the Ice Age brand remains profitable, making future projects likely.
Conclusion:
For First-Time Viewers:
Watch in release date order to experience the movies as they were intended.
For Hardcore Fans:
Watch in chronological order to see how the story unfolds naturally.
Regardless of how you choose to watch, Ice Age remains a timeless and hilarious animated adventure, beloved by fans of all ages.
