The release date for Ice Age 6 has been revealed, and the film is now set to hit theaters during the Christmas holidays.
According to Disney’s updated schedule, an untitled Star Wars film previously scheduled for December 18, 2026, has been removed from the release calendar. To fill this date, Ice Age 6, which was announced at D23 Brasil, will now be released on December 18, 2026.
The new Ice Age film is being developed by Disney and 20th Century Animation. The original cast—Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, and Simon Pegg—will return, reprising their roles as Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, and Buck. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2025.
The first five Ice Age movies have grossed over $3.2 billion worldwide combined. These films were produced by Blue Sky Studios and distributed by its then-parent company, 20th Century Fox (now known as 20th Century Studios). The series includes Ice Age (2002), Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016). Overall, the franchise has generated $6 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. A standalone spin-off, The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, was released exclusively on Disney+ in January 2022, without Blue Sky’s involvement.
There’s already a Star Wars movie scheduled for 2026: The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22. According to Deadline, it would have been difficult to have two Star Wars movies opening in the same year, especially within a six-month window. Box office history shows that it’s generally better to space out Star Wars releases to avoid competition.
Ice Age 6 will hit theaters on December 18, 2026, by 20th Century Studios.
| Movie Name | Ice Age 6 |
|---|---|
| Cast | Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg |
| Release Date | December 18, 2026 |
| Distributed By | 20th Century Studios |
Source: Deadline
