The Ice Age in Order franchise has been a staple of animated entertainment since its debut over two decades ago, charming audiences with its lovable prehistoric misfits and slapstick humor. As of March 14, 2025, fans searching for “Ice Age in order” want a clear roadmap to experience Manny, Sid, Diego, and the gang’s adventures from start to finish. With five main movies, a spinoff film, multiple shorts, TV specials, and a Disney+ series, the Ice Age universe has grown into a sprawling saga. This ultimate guide breaks down the Ice Age franchise in chronological release order, offers plot highlights, and provides tips on where to watch—ensuring you can relive the herd’s journey or introduce it to a new generation. Whether you’re dodging Scrat’s acorn antics or rooting for Manny’s family, here’s how to watch Ice Age in order.
Why Watch Ice Age in Order?
The Ice Age series, created by Blue Sky Studios and originally distributed by 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios under Disney), follows a core group of characters—Manny the woolly mammoth (Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego the saber-toothed cat (Denis Leary)—through evolving friendships, family ties, and wild escapades. Watching in release order preserves the story’s natural progression, character development, and recurring gags (like Scrat’s eternal acorn chase). Plus, it aligns with how the franchise unfolded for fans over the years, making it the most authentic way to dive in.
Ice Age Movies in Order of Release
The backbone of the franchise is its five main films, followed by a spinoff. Here’s the Ice Age movie lineup in order:
1. Ice Age (2002)
- Release Date: March 15, 2002
- Runtime: 81 minutes
- Plot: Set during a Pleistocene freeze, a loner mammoth (Manny), a goofy sloth (Sid), and a sly saber-tooth (Diego) team up to return a human baby, Roshan, to his tribe. Along the way, they dodge dodo birds, fend off Diego’s pack, and form an unlikely bond. Scrat, the acorn-obsessed squirrel, debuts his silent comedy here, accidentally triggering avalanches in pursuit of his prize.
- Why Watch?: This is the origin story, introducing the herd and setting the tone with heartfelt moments and humor. It’s lean, focused, and a classic.
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), Apple TV.
2. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- Release Date: March 31, 2006
- Runtime: 91 minutes
- Plot: The ice is thawing, and the valley’s residents face a flood. Manny, Sid, and Diego meet Ellie (Queen Latifah), a mammoth who thinks she’s a possum, and her adoptive brothers Crash and Eddie (Seann William Scott, Josh Peck). As they race to safety, Manny grapples with being the “last mammoth”—until he isn’t. Scrat’s acorn hunt escalates, nearly drowning him in biblical floods.
- Why Watch?: Expands the herd, adds romance, and ups the stakes with natural disasters.
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu.
3. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- Release Date: July 1, 2009
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Plot: Sid stumbles into a hidden dinosaur world after stealing eggs, prompting a rescue mission by Manny, Ellie (now pregnant), Diego, and the possums. They meet Buck (Simon Pegg), a swashbuckling weasel, and face a T-Rex showdown. Scrat falls for Scratte, a female squirrel, complicating his acorn obsession.
- Why Watch?: Goes full-on fantastical with dinosaurs, introducing Buck as a fan-favorite wildcard.
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV.
4. Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- Release Date: July 13, 2012
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Plot: Scrat’s continental-cracking acorn chase separates Manny, Sid, and Diego from home on a drifting iceberg. They battle pirate captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage) and his crew, joined by Sid’s Granny (Wanda Sykes) and Manny’s rebellious daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer). New allies like Shira (Jennifer Lopez) shift loyalties by the end.
- Why Watch?: Pirate adventures and family drama keep it fresh, with a bigger ensemble.
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu.
5. Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
- Release Date: July 22, 2016
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Plot: Scrat’s cosmic acorn mishap sends a meteor hurtling toward Earth. The herd, now including Peaches’ fiancé Julian (Adam DeVine), teams with Buck to stop the apocalypse at a crystal-laden Geotopia run by Shangri Llama (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Sid finds love, and chaos reigns.
- Why Watch?: The wildest entry, blending sci-fi with the herd’s signature antics—though it’s the weakest critically.
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV.
6. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022) – Spinoff
- Release Date: January 28, 2022
- Runtime: 82 minutes
- Plot: Buck, Crash, and Eddie take center stage, thwarting dinosaur villain Orson in the Lost World. Sid and Manny cameo briefly, but it’s a leaner cast with Simon Pegg reprising Buck. Scrat’s absent, replaced by a minor acorn gag.
- Why Watch?: A lighter, Buck-focused detour—not essential but fun for completists.
- Where to Watch: Disney+ exclusive.
Ice Age Shorts and Specials in Order
The Ice Age universe extends beyond films with shorts and TV specials, often holiday-themed or Scrat-centric. Here’s how they fit in:
1. Gone Nutty (2002)
- Release Date: November 26, 2002 (DVD with Ice Age)
- Runtime: 4 minutes
- Plot: Scrat’s acorn stash triggers a mountain collapse—pure slapstick gold.
2. No Time for Nuts (2006)
- Release Date: November 21, 2006 (DVD with The Meltdown)
- Runtime: 7 minutes
- Plot: Scrat finds a time machine, zipping through history chasing his acorn.
3. Surviving Sid (2008)
- Release Date: December 9, 2008 (DVD with Dawn of the Dinosaurs)
- Runtime: 7 minutes
- Plot: Sid leads a scout troop into hilarious disaster.
4. Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up (2010)
- Release Date: December 25, 2010 (online promo)
- Runtime: 3 minutes
- Plot: Scrat splits the continents—ties into Continental Drift.
5. Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 (2011)
- Release Date: November 16, 2011 (online promo)
- Runtime: 3 minutes
- Plot: Scrat’s chaos continues, setting up the pirate plot.
6. Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
- Release Date: November 24, 2011 (Fox TV)
- Runtime: 26 minutes
- Plot: Sid breaks Manny’s heirloom, leading to a North Pole quest with Santa.
7. Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe (2015)
- Release Date: November 6, 2015 (theatrical with Peanuts Movie)
- Runtime: 5 minutes
- Plot: Scrat’s space adventure kicks off Collision Course.
8. Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade (2016)
- Release Date: March 20, 2016 (Fox TV)
- Runtime: 25 minutes
- Plot: Sid’s egg-sitting gig sparks an Easter egg hunt with pirate bunnies.
9. Scrat: Spaced Out (2016)
- Release Date: October 11, 2016 (DVD with Collision Course)
- Runtime: 15 minutes
- Plot: Scrat battles alien squirrels for his acorn post-Collision Course.
Ice Age Series: The Scrat Tales (2022)
- Release Date: April 13, 2022
- Episodes: 6 (3-5 minutes each)
- Plot: Scrat bonds with Baby Scrat over the acorn in this Disney+ series, blending chaos and cuteness.
- Where to Watch: Disney+ exclusive.
Chronological vs. Release Order: What’s Best?
Release order (above) is recommended for first-timers—it’s how the story unfolded and builds on character arcs naturally. Chronologically by plot, you’d adjust slightly:
- Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up parts before Continental Drift.
- Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe before Collision Course.
- Shorts like Gone Nutty fit loosely post-films.
Stick to release order for simplicity and enjoyment—chronology matters less with these standalone adventures.
Where to Watch Ice Age in Order in 2025
- Disney+: All movies, Buck Wild, Scrat Tales, and most specials (Mammoth Christmas, Great Egg-Scapade).
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent/buy all films and some shorts.
- Apple TV: Purchase options for movies and shorts.
- Hulu: Select films (Meltdown, Continental Drift).
Check Disney+ first—it’s the franchise’s streaming home post-Disney acquisition.
Tips for Enjoying Ice Age in Order
- Marathon It: The main films total about 7.5 hours—perfect for a weekend binge.
- Include Shorts: They’re quick, funny, and deepen Scrat’s saga.
- Skip If Rushed: Buck Wild and some specials are optional for time-crunched viewers.
- Family Night: Age-appropriate humor makes it a hit for all ages.
What’s Next for Ice Age?
As of March 14, 2025, no Ice Age 6 is confirmed, but the franchise lives on. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (a Young Sheldon spinoff) nods to broader universe-building trends, and Ice Age could follow with more spinoffs. Buck’s popularity and Scrat’s enduring appeal suggest potential—stay tuned to Disney+ or X for updates.
Conclusion
Navigating “Ice Age in order” is a breeze with this guide. From the 2002 original to Buck Wild in 2022, the franchise’s five films, spinoff, shorts, and Scrat Tales offer over 20 years of prehistoric fun. Release order—starting with Ice Age and ending with The Scrat Tales—keeps the herd’s journey intact, spotlighting Manny’s growth, Sid’s chaos, and Scrat’s acorn obsession. With Disney+ as your go-to hub, you can watch it all in 2025, reliving the laughs and heart that made Ice Age a cultural mammoth. Grab some popcorn, dodge that acorn, and enjoy the ice-cold adventure—one movie at a time!