Ice Age (franchise)
| Ice Age | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Michael J. Wilson[1] |
| Original work | Ice Age (2002) |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company (via 20th Century Studios) |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | List of films |
| Short film(s) | List of short films |
| Television special(s) | List of television specials |
| Theatrical presentations | |
| Play(s) | |
| Games | |
| Video game(s) | List of video games |
| Audio | |
| Soundtrack(s) |
|
Ice Age is an American media franchise centering on a group of mammals surviving the Paleolithic ice age. It consists of computer-animated films, short films, TV specials and a series of video games. The first five films were produced by Blue Sky Studios. The series features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Chris Wedge, who are the only constant cast members. Five films have been released in the series thus far: Ice Age in 2002, Ice Age: The Meltdown in 2006, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 2009, Ice Age: Continental Drift in 2012, and Ice Age: Collision Course in 2016. As of April 2016, the franchise had generated $6 billion in revenue,[2] making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Films
| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriters | Story by | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Age | March 15, 2002 | Chris Wedge | Michael Berg and Michael J. Wilson and Peter Ackerman | Michael J. Wilson | Lori Forte |
| Ice Age: The Meltdown | March 31, 2006 | Carlos Saldanha | Peter Gaulke & Gerry Swallow and Jim Hecht | Peter Gaulke & Gerry Swallow | |
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | July 1, 2009 | Michael Berg & Peter Ackerman and Mike Reiss and Yoni Brenner | Jason Carter Eaton | Lori Forte and John C. Donkin | |
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | July 13, 2012 | Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier |
Michael Berg and Jason Fuchs | Michael Berg and Lori Forte | |
| Ice Age: Collision Course | July 22, 2016 | Michael Thurmeier | Michael Wilson and Michael Berg and Yoni Brenner | Aubrey Solomon | Lori Forte |
| The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild | January 28, 2022 | John C. Donkin | Jim Hecht and Ray DeLaurentis and William Schifrin | Jim Hecht |
Ice Age (2002)
Sid, a goofy but good-natured sloth, is left behind by his family and the herds of mammals journeying to the south. He meets Manny, a cynical and loner woolly mammoth who is travelling to the north, and decides to follow him, much to Manny's disdain. Along the way, the pair come across a woman who has jumped down the nearby waterfall in a desperate bid to protect her child after their camp was attacked by saber-toothed tigers. She silently pushes the infant towards Manny and Sid before disappearing into the water. The two animals decide to search for the father and return the baby to him. However, the villainous Soto, leader of the sabers, instructs his second in command, Diego, to bring the baby to him so he can exact his revenge on the child's father, who frequently kills sabers with his tribe for their furs and meat. Diego comes across Manny and Sid and, since they refuse to just give him the child, he pretends to lead them towards the baby's tribe, when really Soto and the rest of the pack wait in an icy mountain range to ambush them, intending on killing Manny and stealing the child. During their journey however, the trio bond over the infant and Diego must ultimately decide where his loyalties lie.
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
Manny, Sid, and Diego are currently living in a large valley surrounded by an enormously high ice wall on all sides. However, the trio discovers that the ice wall is actually a wall that is barely holding a massive body of water that could flood the valley to nearly a mile underwater. A vulture tells them that there is a boat at the other end of the valley that may save them all, but they only have three days to reach it or die. Manny is also having trouble fearing the fact that he may be the last mammoth left. Along the way, they meet Ellie, a bubbly female mammoth who thinks she is a possum, and her possum brothers Crash and Eddie. As they begin to travel together, Manny learns, with help from Diego and Sid, that he must move on from his past and open his heart to change. During their journey, Scrat, a sabre-toothed squirrel, has his own adventure.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Manny and Ellie are happily married and expecting their first child. Scrat falls in love with fellow squirrel Scratte. Diego is anxious about how things will change after Manny becomes a father and considers leaving the Herd. Sid begins to wish for a family of his own, and steals some dinosaur eggs but after the dino mother comes back for her stolen eggs and takes the talkative sloth home with her, the herd must travel to an colourful underground world to rescue him. During the adventure, Manny and the gang meet Buck, an insane one-eyed weasel who aids them on their quest.
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Taking place sixteen years after the events of the third film, Manny's overprotective nature causes a rift between him and his teenage daughter, Peaches. Scrat's pursuit of acorns has world-changing consequences, separating Manny, Sid, Diego and Sid's cantankerous Granny from the rest of their group. Things take a dangerous turn for the worst when the gang come into conflict with a rag-tag pirate crew led by the sadistic Captain Gutt. As the friends embark on an epic adventure in their desperate bid to return home, Diego grapples with his conflicting feelings for Gutt's feisty first mate, Shira, and Manny struggles to accept his daughter may be growing up.
Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
Five years after the events of the fourth film Manny and Ellie are planning the upcoming wedding between their daughter, Peaches and the clumsy but sweet Julian. Manny is reluctant to let his daughter marry Julian as he thinks he is a bit of a goof but Peaches urges her father to get to know him. Scrat's pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth aboard a UFO, where he accidentally sets off a series of intergalactic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the gang leave their home and reunite with the adventurous Buck, who leads them on a crazy cosmic journey to find a way to save the planet.
The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022)
On the possibility of a potential sixth film, in June 2016, Galen T. Chu, co-director of the film, stated that there were some ideas for the next installment.[3] In August 2018, CEO of 20th Century Fox Stacey Snider announced that a television series based on Ice Age and centered around the character Buck is in development.[4][5] On October 25, 2019, after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, the project was confirmed to be still in development for Disney+.[5] In December 2020, the project was confirmed to have been redeveloped as a film and to be titled Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild, centering around Buck going on an adventure in the Dinosaur World with Crash and Eddie. The film is set to release on January 28, 2022, and will feature Simon Pegg reprising his role as the title character.[6] Batu Sener is composing the film's score.[7] After the closure of Blue Sky Studios, the film's animation was outsourced to Bardel Entertainment.[8][9] Manny, Ellie, Sid, Diego, and Scrat will appear in the film, but as supporting characters.
Untitled seventh film (TBA)
While promoting The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, the Disney+ PR page revealed that a seventh Ice Age movie is in development at 20th Century Animation.[10]
Short films
Gone Nutty
Gone Nutty is a 2002 animated short film directed by Carlos Saldanha. It originally released on the Ice Age DVD.[11] The short features Scrat, who is yet again having troubles with collecting his beloved acorns. The film was nominated for the 2003 Academy Award for Animated Short Film.[12]
No Time for Nuts
No Time for Nuts is a 2006 animated short film directed by Chris Renaud and Michael Thurmeier. It was originally released on the Ice Age: The Meltdown DVD.[13] The short follows Scrat on a chase after his nut, which has been accidentally sent back in time by a frozen time machine. No Time for Nuts was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.[14]
Surviving Sid
Surviving Sid is a 2008 animated short film directed by Galen Tan Chu and Karen Disher. It was originally released on the Horton Hears a Who! DVD and Blu-ray.[15] Unlike the first two Ice Age short films, Surviving Sid focuses on Sid, who incompetently "leads" a small group of camping children.
Scrat's Continental Crack-Up
Scrat's Continental Crack-Up is the first of a 2012 two-part animated short film directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier. It was originally released in theaters alongside Gulliver's Travels and Rio.
Scrat's Continental Crack-Up - Part 2
Scrat's Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 is the second of a 2012 two-part animated short film directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier. It was originally released in theaters alongside Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.
Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe
Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe is a 2015 animated short film directed by Michael Thurmeier. It was originally released in theaters alongside The Peanuts Movie. The short once again follows Scrat, who discovers a flying saucer frozen in a block of ice and accidentally powers it on and ends up creating the Solar System through a series of mishaps.
Scrat: Spaced Out
Scrat: Spaced Out is a 2016 animated short film directed by Michael Thurmeier. It was originally released on the Ice Age: Collision Course DVD and Blu-ray. The short once again follows Scrat, trying to get back to Earth after the events in Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe.
Television specials
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
In the middle of decorating for the holiday season, Sid accidentally destroys Manny's favourite decorations. Sid, convinced by Manny that he is now on Santa's naughty list, takes off with Crash, Eddie and Peaches for the North Pole to get back on the Santa's good side. When on the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa's Workshop. When Manny, Ellie and Diego, worried over Peaches's safety, arrive at the North Pole, they must come together and save Christmas.[16]
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade
The special centers on a harried prehistoric bird mom who entrusts her precious, soon-to-hatch egg to Sid. When she recommends him to her neighbors—a condor mother, Cholly Bear and Gladys Glypto—business booms at his new egg-sitting service.
However, dastardly pirate bunny Squint, who is seeking revenge on the herd, steals, camouflages and hides all the eggs. Once again, with Squint's twin brother, Clint, assisting, Manny, Diego and the rest of the gang come to the rescue and take off on a daring mission that turns into the world's first Easter egg hunt.
Scrat Tales
On May 4, 2021, it was rumored that a short series produced by Blue Sky Studios known as Scrat Tales would be coming to Disney+. The series would follow the titular Scrat, who discovers that he has a son.[17] Footage was later leaked onto YouTube, with former Blue Sky animators revealing that the series would be coming to Disney+ in 2022 after The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild. A plush for the character of Scrat's son was also unveiled via Just Play Products’ website, with the second image featuring a blue tag containing the logo for Scrat Tales, although the listing was retitled under The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild to promote the new film.[18]
Cast
Feature films
Short films
| Characters | Gone Nutty | No Time for Nuts | Surviving Sid | Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe | Scrat: Spaced Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2006 | 2008 | 2015 | 2016 | |
| Scrat | Chris Wedge | ||||
| Sid | Silent cameo | John Leguizamo | |||
| Claire | Emily Osment | ||||
| Cindy | Maria Lark | ||||
| Manny | Silent cameo | Ray Romano | |||
| Diego | Denis Leary | ||||
| Scratazons | Karen Disher | ||||
Television specials
| Characters | Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas |
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2016 | |
| Manny | Ray Romano | |
| Sid | John Leguizamo | |
| Diego | Denis Leary | |
| Scrat | Chris Wedge | |
| Ellie | Queen Latifah | |
| Crash | Seann William Scott | |
| Eddie | Josh Peck | |
| Peaches | Ciara Bravo | Keke Palmer |
| Santa Claus | Billy Gardell | |
| Prancer | T.J. Miller | |
| Ethel | Taraji P. Henson | |
| Squint | Seth Green | |
| Clint | Blake Anderson | |
- Note: A dark grey cell indicates character did not appear in that medium.
Crew
| Film | Director(s) | Producer(s) | Executive producer(s) | Writer(s) | Composer | Editor(s) | Production companies | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Age | Chris Wedge co-directed by: Carlos Saldanha |
Lori Forte | Chris Meledandri | screenplay: Michael Berg, Michael J. Wilson and Peter Ackerman story: Michael J. Wilson |
David Newman | John Carnochan | 20th Century Fox Animation Blue Sky Studios |
20th Century Fox |
| Ice Age: The Meltdown | Carlos Saldanha | Chris Meledandri & Chris Wedge | screenplay: Peter Gaulke, Gerry Swallow and Jim Hecht story: Peter Gaulke & Gerry Swallow |
John Powell | Harry Hitner | |||
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | Carlos Saldanha co-directed by: Mike Thurmeier |
Lori Forte & John C. Donkin | Chris Wedge | screenplay: Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss and Yoni Brenner story: Jason Carter Eaton | ||||
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | Steve Martino & Mike Thurmeier | Chris Wedge[19] & Carlos Saldanha | screenplay: Michael Berg & Jason Fuchs story: Michael Berg & Lori Forte |
James M. Palumbo & David Ian Salter | ||||
| Ice Age: Collision Course | Mike Thurmeier co-directed by: Galen T. Chu |
Lori Forte | screenplay: Michael J. Wilson, Michael Berg and Yoni Brenner story: Aubrey Solomon |
John Debney | James M. Palumbo | |||
| The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild | John C. Donkin | TBA | Lori Forte | screenplay: Jim Hecht and Ray DeLaurentis and William Schifrin story: Jim Hecht |
Batu Sener | TBA | 20th Century Studios 20th Century Animation |
Disney+ |
| Untitled seventh film | TBA | 20th Century Animation | ||||||
Reception
Box office performance
All five films, produced on a total budget of $429 million, have grossed over $3.2 billion worldwide, making Ice Age the 18th highest-grossing franchise of all time, and the third highest-grossing animated franchise worldwide behind Despicable Me and Shrek.[20] The first four films were the highest-grossing animated films in each year they were released, and among the eight highest-grossing films in their respective release years.[21][22][23][24] However, the fifth film was considered a commercial disappointment and is the lowest-grossing film in both the franchise and Blue Sky's filmography (when adjusted for inflation).[25][26]
| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Ref(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America |
All time worldwide | ||||
| Ice Age | March 15, 2002 | $176,387,405 | $206,869,731 | $383,257,136 | #189 | #193 | $59 million | [27] |
| Ice Age: The Meltdown | March 31, 2006 | $195,330,621 | $465,610,159 | $660,940,780 | #148 | #70 | $80 million | [28] |
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | July 1, 2009 | $196,573,705 | $690,113,112 | $886,686,817 | #147 | #30 | $90 million | [29] |
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | July 13, 2012 | $161,321,843 | $715,922,939 | $877,244,782 | #225 | #32 | $95 million | [30] |
| Ice Age: Collision Course | July 22, 2016 | $64,063,008 | $344,516,030 | $408,579,038 | #1,161 | #228 | $105 million | [31] |
| Total | $793,676,582 | $2,423,031,971 | $3,216,708,553 | #22 | #17 | $429 million | [32][33] | |
Critical and public response
While the first film received generally positive reviews, the series has received some criticism for making no attempt to be scientifically accurate[34][35][36] and has suffered a steadily declining critical reception with each succeeding film.
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Age | 77% (166 reviews)[37] | 60 (31 reviews)[38] | A[39] |
| Ice Age: The Meltdown | 57% (144 reviews)[40] | 58 (29 reviews)[41] | A[39] |
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | 46% (161 reviews)[42] | 50 (25 reviews)[43] | A-[39] |
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | 38% (133 reviews)[44] | 49 (29 reviews)[45] | A-[39] |
| Ice Age: Collision Course | 18% (118 reviews)[46] | 34 (27 reviews)[47] | B+[39] |
Video games
 | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled . (Discuss) (June 2021) |
- Ice Age was released in 2002 by Ubisoft for Game Boy Advance.
- Ice Age 2: The Meltdown was released in 2006 by Vivendi Universal Games for Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows.
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs was released by Activision on June 30, 2009, for Microsoft Windows, Wii, DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
- Ice Age 3: Boulder Drop was an online game released in 2009.
- Ice Age 3: Dino Dinner was an online game released in 2009.
- Ice Age 3: Slippery Slope was an online game released in 2009.
- Ice Age Village was a mobile video game released by Gameloft on April 5, 2012, for iOS and Android devices,[48] and on April 24, 2013, for Windows Phone.[49] The game allows players to build a village while characters from the films set them goals. Player's can also visit their friend's villages, play mini games and watch videos.
- Ice Age: Continental Drift – Arctic Games was released by Activision on July 10, 2012, to Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360.[50]
- was a free-to-play browser game developed by Bigpoint Games for its gaming portal.[51] Beta version of the game was launched on July 10, 2012, which put players in the role of Sid, who has to rescue lost members of his herd, separated by a volcanic eruption.[51]
- Ice Age: Clueless Ice Sloth was an online game released in 2012.
- was a game released by Gameloft on August 7, 2014, for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Windows 8.[52]
- was a mobile match-3 game released by Gameloft released in 2015.
- (originally titled Ice Age: Hailstorm) was a mobile match-3 game released by Zynga and featuring content from all first five films released in June 2016 for iOS and Android devices.[53]
- Ice Age Mission Control was an online game released in 2016.
- Ice Age: Manic Meteor Run! was an online game released in 2016.
- Ice Age: Geode Jam! was an online game released in 2016.
- Ice Age: Coloring Book was an online game released in 2016.
- Ice Age: Matching Cards was an online game released in 2016.
- Ice Age: Scrat's Nutty Adventure was released by Outright Games in 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows.
Live show
Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure is a live arena ice show that combines ice skating, aerial arts, puppetry and film, and tells a new story based on the first three Ice Age films.[54] The plot begins with baby mammoth Peaches being kidnapped by an evil hawk-like creature called Shadow. Her father Manny sets off to rescue Peaches, accompanied by Sid and Diego. Their mission is successful, but on the way home they encounter avalanches and rockfalls, diverting them into a fantasy underground kingdom.[55]
It is being produced by Stage Entertainment Touring Productions, and directed by Guy Caron and Michael Curry.[56] The music and lyrics were written by Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson.[56] With the preview shows from October 19 to 21, 2012, in Cardiff, and from October 25 to 28, 2012, in Nottingham, A Mammoth Adventure officially premiered on November 2, 2012,[56] during its three-day tour from November 1 to 3 at Wembley Arena in London.[57] It continued in Germany in November 2012,[58] with a plan to visit more than 30 countries in its five-year worldwide tour.[54] In August 2016, Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure concluded its world tour and was replaced in North America by Ice Age On Ice.[59]
Themed Park
Ice Age inspired rides and attractions first opened at Movie Park German. In 2012, new Ice Age 4D experience open at Alton Towers. Then in 2014, new Ice Age rides open at Dufan Ancol, Jakarta that brings 2 Ice Age themed rides named Ice Age: Sid's Arctic Tours and Kontiki. Then later in 2021 the new Ice Age atrractions will be featured at the first 20th Century Fox theme park, called 20th Century Fox World,[60] to open in 2021 as part of Malaysia-based Resorts World Genting.[61]
References
- ^ "Ice Age : Production Notes". www.cinema.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ Wilonsky, Robert; Engel, Clint (April 25, 2016). "Clint Engel Ashley iKidz retailers get promotion for latest 'Ice Age' movie". Furniture Today. Sandow Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Cassam Looch (June 27, 2016). "ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE INTERVIEW WITH CO-DIRECTOR GALEN T. CHU". Flickreel. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ^ Paz, Maggie Dela (August 10, 2018). "Fox Developing Wimpy Kid, Ice Age, and Night at the Museum TV Shows". Coming Soon.net. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
- ^ a b "Ice Age and Rio spinoffs in early development for Disney+". Discussing Film. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ Peters, Jay (December 10, 2020). "Here are all the new Marvel, Star Wars, and other projects Disney announced at its investor day". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ Shuler, Skyler (August 3, 2021). "Batu Sener to Score Disney+ 'Ice Age' Spin-Off 'Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild'". The Disinsider. thedisinsider.com. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ Klein, Riki (November 12, 2021). "Check out the teaser trailer for The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild streaming January 28th on Disney+". Bardel Entertainment. Bardel Entertainment Inc. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Disney TV Animation News on Twitter: "Clarifications about ... Date published: November 13, 2021. 9:02AM. Author: @DisneyTVANews
- ^ Production Document
- ^ Fretts, Bruce (November 29, 2002). "Ice Age DVD review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ "The 76th Academy Awards (2004) Nominees and Winners". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. February 29, 2004. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ "No Time for Nuts". Blue Sky Studios. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ "The 79th Academy Awards (2007) Nominees and Winners". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
- ^ "HORTON HEARS A WHO Special Edition DVD Review". Collider. December 14, 2008. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ "Ice Age - Mammoth Christmas (TBA): DVD". DVD Warehouse. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ "