Skip to content
MovieCove
Ice Age

Ice Age

Sub-zero heroes.

200281 minPGMidcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Directors
Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha
Starring
Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Goran Visnjic

Manny the mammoth, Sid the loquacious sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger go on a comical quest to return a human baby back to his father, across a world on the brink of an ice age.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Ice Age?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Ice Age streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Ice Age?

Ice Age earns 11 badges, led by Universally Loved and Cultural touchstone.

Show 3 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Ice Age worth watching?

Ice Age's Midcredits score is the 93rd percentile of all films, from 1.9M ratings across 6 sources. 84% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

93rd percentile

Better received than 93% of films

89th percentile among Animation93rd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)89th
Approval (how many liked it)94th

74 /100

89th percentile of all films

84th percentile among Animation88th percentile among 2000s

Critics 61 · Audience 75

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A tight consensus around 7.6 — people broadly agree on this one.

84% liked it

94th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Animation94th percentile among 2000s
84% rated it 7–1016% rated it 1–6

Critics 76% · Audience 82%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 30 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Animated Feature

99th percentile

1.9M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 11% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$59M
Opening weekend$46M
Domestic gross$176M
Worldwide gross$383M

Returned 6.5× its budget — 95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film relies on character chemistry and humor rather than spectacle, but detractors find it derivative while fans find it charming.

Fans praised

  • hilarious Scrat antics and physical comedy
  • strong vocal performances from Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo
  • touching emotional beats and heartwarming character chemistry

Detractors panned

  • unoriginal plot derivative of Shrek and Monsters, Inc.
  • pacing lags with dull stretches
  • unappealing character designs and lack of cross-generational humor

What stands out

Acting78

voice cast praised for fitting characters, especially Leguizamo's Sid

Humor75

funny, especially Scrat scenes, but not side-splitting

Atmosphere72

immersive ice-age world-building

Characters70

likable but shallow; Sid and Manny stand out

Dialogue68

witty and funny, but not particularly memorable

Emotional impact68

touching moments, especially Manny's backstory

Plot and story55

familiar journey plot with predictable beats

OriginalityDivisive48

derivative of Monsters, Inc. and Shrek

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 14 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Ice Age like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulWarmHopefulTense
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its prehistoric adventure straight with genuine warmth and humour, never winking at the audience.
The rideMostly lighthearted and humorous with moments of peril; the emotional weight peaks in the final act with the sacrifice and reunion.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward beginning-middle-end structure without nonlinear elements.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer with a warm, uplifting sense of found family and triumph.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThree prehistoric animals band together to return a human baby to his family, crossing treacherous landscapes and evading a sabre-tooth tiger pack.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Friendship · 9% of filmsGrief · 6% of filmsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film is about an unlikely trio who form a found family, with Manny's unresolved grief over his lost family underscoring his journey from loner to friend.
StanceThe film celebrates found family and friendship, showing how connection heals grief; the stakes are personal, not world-saving.

The world

PrehistoricWildernessIn transitFantasy
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · David Newman
SettingIce Age tundra, caves, and glacial passes
MusicA warm, melodic orchestral score that complements the journey's humorous and emotional beats.

Content guide

Is Ice Age okay for kids?

PG

Ice Age is rated PG: “Rated PG for mild peril” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (45/100), sexual content at mild (29/100), language at mild (29/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at moderate (46/100). Overall it is heavier than 66% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 39 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaG
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandPG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • ArgentinaATP
  • AustriaAA
  • BelgiumAL
  • BGA
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • Finland7
  • GreeceG
  • Hong KongI
  • HungaryKN
  • IDSU
  • IndiaU
  • IsraelAll
  • MexicoAA
  • MYU
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Norway7
  • PhilippinesG
  • PolandAL
  • PortugalM/6
  • ROAP
  • Russia0+
  • SingaporeG
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland0
  • Taiwan普遍級
  • THP
  • TürkiyeGenel İzleyici Kitlesi
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 22% of all filmsHeavier than 66% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 72%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 67%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 55%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 54%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 70%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 70% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Ice Age have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Ice Age?

Cast

Ray Romano
as Manfred
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
John Leguizamo
as Sid
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Denis Leary
as Diego
Goran Visnjic
as Soto
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Jack Black
as Zeke
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Cedric The Entertainer
as Carl
Stephen Root
as Frank
Diedrich Bader
as Oscar
Alan Tudyk
as Lenny
newcomer then · star now
Lorri Bagley
as Jennifer
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Ice Age?

Movies like Ice Age include Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) and Walking with Dinosaurs 3D (2013). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by Carlos Saldanha, and most are films set in a fictional world.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its world: prehistoric. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Ice Age?

578 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: animal. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.