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Ice Age: The Hunted (also known as Ice Age 6) is a 2026 American 3D computer-animated adventure survival comedy-drama film produced by 20th Century Animation and distributed by 20th Century Studios. It serves as the sequel to Ice Age: Collision Course (2016), the sixth and final main installment in the Ice Age film series, and the seventh installment overall in the Ice Age franchise. It was directed by Donnie Long, from a screenplay written by Mike Reiss, Michael Berg, Yoni Brenner, Jim Hecht, and Michael J. Wilson, based on a story by Chris Wedge, with John C. Donkin and Bruce Anderson as producers. The film's music was composed by John Powell, David Newman, and Batu Sener.
Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Chris Wedge, Alan Tudyk, Diedrich Bader, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Stephen Root, Bill Hader, Clea Lewis, Jay Leno, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Karen Disher, Keke Palmer, Adam DeVine, Josh Gad, Simon Pegg, Wanda Sykes, Jessie J, Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah reprise their roles from the previous films. Tye Sheridan plays his role as a returning character from the first film, while Javier Bardem, Emma Watson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Danny McBride, Chris Pratt, Jacob Vargas, Ryan Gosling, Daisy Ridley, Amy Poehler and Natalie Portman voice new characters introduced in this film.
In the film, Manny, Sid and Diego unexpectedly reunite with their human friend Roshan, who is now an adult with a girlfriend named Reyna. Roshan warns them and The Herd about a dangerous hunting season initiated by humans targeting mammals, and they are next. In response, Scrat, Scratte, and the Herd team up with Roshan and Reyna to stop the hunters and protect their way of life, before Peaches gives birth to her and Julian's child.
Ice Age: The Hunted premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on June 27, 2026, and was released theatrically in the United States on July 6, 2026.
The film received highly positive reviews for its animation, humor, emotional scenes, the "un-flanderization" of the characters, voice performances, screenplay, musical score, human characters, return of the character Scrat, and the fact that it remained faithful to the spirit of Blue Sky Studios. Many even hailed it as “a worthy return to the Ice Age franchise.” However, there were mixed opinions about its release under Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Despite that, the film was a box office success, grossing over $567.9 million on a budget of $50-100 million.
Plot[]
The film opens with Scrat, who is desperately climbing a cliff in search of his acorn. Upon finding it, he encounters his ex-wife, Scratte, who is still hurt from his past rejection. Their bickering quickly escalates as they are pursued by three human hunters. In a daring escape, Scratte leaps off the mountain with Scrat clinging to her tail, only to shake him off, sending him tumbling into Herd Valley. In the valley, Scrat gets inadvertently stepped on by Julian the mammoth and Louis the molehog, who are busy gathering supplies for Peaches, who is now pregnant. The Herd is filled with anticipation as they await the newborn. Meanwhile, Sid, Manny, and Diego reminisce about an old friend while visiting the expectant Peaches, keeping the mood light despite the anxieties that accompany new beginnings. From a distance, Scratte observes the Herd, feeling a complex mix of jealousy and happiness, while Scrat wishes to reconcile with her but struggles to bridge the gap. As the sun sets, the trio reflects on Manny’s impending grandfatherhood, encouraging him to support Peaches' happiness. Their moment is interrupted by Scrat, who comes seeking advice on how to win back Scratte. Inspired, Sid crafts a wooden plate adorned with flowers, placing Scrat’s acorn on top as a gift. However, Scratte angrily rejects the gesture, leaving Scrat disheartened. Determined to follow his friends' advice, Scrat is fueled by the belief that perseverance can lead to love.
Later that night, Louis could feel his heart racing with nervous excitement as he wanted to make a good impression on Luana, a female molehog that had caught his eye. With Peaches and Julian whispering words of encouragement, he mustered up the courage to approach Luana and her companions. Despite his attempts to say hello, the response he received was not what he had hoped for, and Luana and the other female hogs greeted him with mocking laughter and disdain. Louis retreated with a heavy heart, but Peaches and Julian gave him the strength not to give up. With their encouragement, he vowed to gather his courage and make another attempt. Meanwhile, the three weary hunters returned to their base in a rugged mountain, reporting to their leader, Salvador, about their failed attempt to hunt a mammal. They revealed they had been close to capturing Scrat and Scratte, which only fueled Salvador's anger. He reminded his skilled group of hunters—Alejandro, Martinez, Damian, Gavino, Hera, and Vanessa—that their goal remained to track and eliminate a woolly mammoth, respectively Manny. Meanwhile, the three tigers, Zeke, Oscar, and Lenny, who are working for the hunters, seemed to have learned their past mistakes, but are forced to help them find The Herd nevertheless.
The next day, Scrat, Sid, Manny and Diego stroll through the valley engrossed in lively conversation. Suddenly, their chatter was interrupted by an unfamiliar sound. With caution, they began to backtrack to the beach, only to find a female Neanderthal named Reyna. Her eyes glimmered with recognition as she met the trio's gaze, leaving them completely bewildered. To their amazement, they soon realized that her companion was none other than Roshan, the infant they had rescued in the first film, who had now grown into an exceptional adult. Manny, Diego, and Sid enveloped Roshan in a warm and loving embrace. After the heartwarming reunion, Roshan and Reyna expressed a deep desire to share troubling developments with them and inform Manny's Herd about this urgent matter. Later on, Scratte, The Herd, and the inhabitants of Herd Valley met Roshan, and he began sharing the alarming news. He informed everyone about a human takeover orchestrated by Salvador. Reyna further disclosed the ruthless actions of Salvador and his tribe, who had mercilessly hunted and killed numerous prehistoric mammals. Roshan then presented Manny with a drawing of Salvador, which made him remember that he was the evil hunter who had killed his family in the past. This revelation fueled Manny's determination to seek vengeance and defeat this ruthless hunter. In response to the impending threat, Manny decided that the mammals and hyraxes should relocate to a safer area, while he and his Herd would join Roshan and Reyna to battle the malevolent hunters. After hearing this, Scrat was even more determined to protect Scratte, earn her affection, and shield her from harm, despite her lingering anger toward him. During the evening, Ellie, Peaches, The Herd, Roshan, and Reyna gathered around Manny to hear about his painful past of losing his family to hunters. As he shared the names of his wife, Madeline, and son, Matthew, the group listened with sorrow and empathy. Comforted by everyone, Manny felt uplifted after their heartfelt embrace. He then took a walk with Roshan, Sid, and Diego to reflect. Nearby, Scrat overheard their conversation and, feeling for Manny, quietly approached. He spotted Scratte building a shelter, but she denied him entry. The Herd, noticing Scrat's solitude, invited him to join them for safety.
The following day, Salvador assembled his tribe of human hunters at the break of dawn to commence their preparations for the upcoming mammal hunt. Meanwhile, Alejandro, Lorenzo, Damian, Gavino, Hera, and Vanessa opted for a different path as they set out to track down the mammals, as Zeke, Oscar, and Lenny sniff the surroundings for them. Simultaneously, Salvador and the remaining hunters forged ahead, determined to make their way to Herd Valley. Meanwhile, the group of mammals gathered together, stirring up dust as they prepared to commence their long migration to a more promising location. Manny called for a meeting to strategize the journey ahead, which was planned by Roshan and Reyna. Amidst the flurry of activity, Luana felt a sudden pull to accompany The Herd, since Louis’ pleading swayed her decision. Meanwhile, in the heart of the valley, Peaches was seized by worry at the thought of being hunted by hunters, since she is currently pregnant. Julian reassured her with unwavering determination, promising to protect her at all costs, making her feel better. Later, guided by Roshan's intimate knowledge of the terrain, The Herd meticulously planned their route before embarking on their journey.
As the group began their expedition, Sid, Manny, and Diego recalled their daring rescue of Roshan and their efforts to reunite him with his father. They discussed the challenges faced in the first film, including encounters with the eccentric Dodo Birds, navigating treacherous snowy terrains, ice sliding, crossing a lava bridge, and confronting the saber-toothed tiger, Soto. Additionally, the trio and the Herd reflected on significant events from previous films. Throughout their journey, Scrat sought to connect with The Herd, aiming to gain guidance on winning Scratte's affection while addressing his attachment to the acorn. They subsequently found Fast Tony, who had been spreading rumors about a mammal hunting season. Concerned for his safety, he decided to join the Herd, much to Manny's annoyance. Concurrently, Alejandro and his tribe were moving through the harsh conditions of the ice age, engaging in a discussion about their plan to capture Manny. As tensions rose over different strategies, Alejandro proposed a more tactical approach: waiting until nightfall to execute their plan. The tribe agreed to this strategy.
Peaches began to feel a sharp pain in her stomach, a clear indication that she needed to relax. The Herd quickly sprang into action, determined to find a safe and sheltered place to spend the night, away from any potential threats. With his sharp instincts, Roshan led The Herd to a secluded forest that was the perfect location for them to rest. Upon arrival, The Herd focused on constructing a shelter, while Peaches found herself overwhelmed by the mixture of the impending arrival of her baby and the mammal hunt. Scrat remained faithfully by her side, offering her his cherished acorn in a gesture of support. Despite her pain, Peaches graciously declined the offer, but in a thoughtful gesture, suggested that Scratte might appreciate it. Sid, Diego, Manny, Buck, Crash, Eddie, and Roshan ventured into the surrounding wilderness to search for nourishment. They carefully scavenged for a variety of ripe fruits and fresh vegetation. As Sid ventured deeper into the forest searching for food for Peaches, he was shocked to find his family. The mix of joy and old pain from their past abandonment overwhelmed him. Torn between hope and skepticism, Sid chose to turn away, fearing they might repeat their past actions. Unbeknownst to him, his family realized their mistakes and sought to reconcile, but Sid's guarded rejection halted their efforts.
Later that night, as The Herd prepared to rest for the night, they unexpectedly encountered Lone Gunslinger and the vulture clan. They had been hiding, and forced into seclusion after some of their members became victims of the evil hunters. Sensing the shared threat they all faced, The Herd reached a compassionate decision to open their refuge to the Vultures, and they spent the night together in the jungle. Amidst the lush foliage and soothing sounds of the jungle, Roshan, Sid, Diego, and Manny engaged in a heartfelt conversation, expressing their overwhelming joy at being reunited with each other. Meanwhile, Salvador and his fierce hunter tribe embarked into Herd Valley. To their astonishment, the valley lay eerily deserted, devoid of any signs of life. Undaunted by the unsettling silence, the hunters meticulously combed through every inch of the valley, their sharp senses alert for any clue or trace of their quarry. It was then that Salvador's keen eyes caught sight of something remarkable - a colossal mammoth footprint, unmistakably belonging to Manny. He pondered the implications of this find and the potential revelation of his next destination.
That night, as everyone slept, Julian was plagued by a distressing nightmare that seemed all too real. In the haunting vision, he watched helplessly as Peaches was alone, left vulnerable, and was killed by a group of relentless hunters. The horrifying dream weighed heavily on Julian, stirring profound fears for Peaches' safety. Consequently, he steadfastly maintained a protective watch over her throughout the night. Upon waking, Manny and Roshan detected Julian's palpable distress and lent a sympathetic ear. While Sid was peacefully slumbering, he was abruptly whisked away by the mischievous tribe of Mini-Sloths. The next day, Brooke urgently sounded the alarm about Sid's disappearance. The entire group set out on an exhaustive search through the dense forest, leaving no stone unturned until they finally stumbled upon Sid with the Mini-Sloths. To everyone's delight, the Mini-Sloths were performing their renowned song in the middle of the forest, with Sid once again assuming the role of their "fire king."
As Sid strolled through the dense forest, his gaze was captivated by a delicate dandelion. He plucked the flower and took a bite, only to realize that it belonged to none other than Carl and Frank, his adversaries from the first film. Just like the last time, they were consumed by fury and began hotly pursuing Sid. Manny suggested that the two rhinos accompany them on their journey and get along with Sid, much to his discomort. Deep in the lush forest, Scratte darted between towering trees, aware of Scrat trailing behind her. With his large eyes glimmering, he pleaded to join her. Frustrated, Scratte abruptly kicked his shin, sending him into a panic and releasing his high-pitched scream that shattered the forest's tranquility. Meanwhile, Roshan is perched on the craggy edge of a towering mountain gazing into the distant horizon as he reflects on the fateful day when he lost his beloved father, Runar, to the clutches of Salvador and his tribe. Runar's dying wish for Roshan was to vanquish Salvador and establish a world where both humans and animals could coexist in peaceful harmony. It weighs heavily on Roshan's mind, but he finds solace and strength from Sid, Diego, Manny, and Reyna, who stand by him with unwavering support. As they move on, Alejandro devises a plan to cut off the Herd on their route. As the group embarked on their perilous journey, they came face to face with the malevolent hunters unleashed by Salvador. A dramatic and intense confrontation unfolded as Manny, Julian, Diego, Buck, Roshan, and Reyna clashed with the hunters. Amidst the chaos, Scrat valiantly faced off against Alejandro and emerged victorious, wielding Buck's sword and, in a stroke of luck, accidentally striking Morgan in the eye. Overwhelmed with fear, Alejandro and his team retreated, while the Herd hailed Scrat as a hero, celebrating his exceptional bravery.
As night fell, The Herd discovered a massive glacier cave. Sid suggested using it for shelter, but Manny was hesitant. Roshan explained that glacier caves can last from weeks to years. Considering Peaches' pregnancy and having no better options, Manny reluctantly agreed to stay. Inside, opinions varied, but they decided to make the best of it. While Manny, Sid, Diego, and Roshan discussed matters, Ellie, Shira, Brooke, and Reyna bonded over stories and the antics of the males. Later that night, Salvador stealthily navigated the dense jungle, soon spotting unmistakable footprints of Manny. Alejandro and his troops joined him, sharing their intense encounter with Roshan, Reyna, and The Herd, as well as disclosing Scrat had injured his eye. Realizing a new strategy was necessary, Salvador devised a plan to wait until nightfall for a surprise ambush to capture the Herd while secretly guiding Manny to their hideout. With meticulous preparations, including Alejandro donning an eye patch for stealth, they committed to their mission.
As the sun rose, Roshan, Reyan, and The Herd were suddenly jolted awake by the deep rumbling of the glacier cave. Panic set in as they hurriedly sought safety, their hearts racing as they dodged debris amidst the chaos. Miraculously, they escaped unharmed but then they encountered a perilous landscape filled with crevices that turned out to be dangerous lava geysers. Lava began spewing out in fierce jets, forcing them to maneuver quickly to avoid the molten streams. In the midst of the chaos, Peaches accidentally got her foot caught in one of the geyser holes. Julian and Roshan sprang back to rescue her just in time, narrowly escaping a fiery eruption. Despite their successful escape, Peaches became overwhelmed, crying and hyperventilating from the distress. Offering her parents and others' comfort, the group reassured her of their survival, and with Scrat by her side, she found some solace amidst the turmoil. They keep her secure as they continue.
The group finally stumbled upon a haven as night fell. Exhausted, they settled down for the night. Later, in the dead of night, Salvador, Alejandro, and the hunter tribe spotted the Herd sleeping in the distance and sprang into action. Alejandro, Martinez, Damian, Gavino, Hera, and Vanessa began hurling rocks, creating a commotion that roused Scratte, Brooke, Granny, Ellie, Shira, Luana, and Peaches from their slumber. As they went to investigate, they suddenly found themselves ensnared in a net trap. Salvador approached the net and demanded to know Manny's whereabouts. Refusing to divulge any information, Ellie defiantly stood her ground, further infuriating Salvador. The hunters proceeded with their sinister plan to transport them to their base. At the same time, Scratte arrives unexpectedly and gets captured herself, much to Scrat’s horror. The next day, Manny, Sid, Diego, Roshan, Reyna, and Scrat found out the others were missing, and they split up to search for them. During their search, Scrat discovered one of the hunter's footprints, which led to their sinister base. Anxiously gathering, Scrat, Sid, Manny, and Diego listened intently as Roshan and Reyna devised a plan to launch a daring ambush on the hunters at their base, preparing for a risky and decisive confrontation with their adversaries. Subsequently, they embarked on a perilous journey through the ice age, traversing treacherous terrains from windy areas to dangerous jungles. With the assistance of Crash, Eddie, Julian, Buck, Carl and Frank, Fast Tony, Lone Gunslinger, the Vultures, and the Mini Sloths, they managed to overcome all obstacles that came to their path.
In the latest turn of events, the hunters have managed to capture Sid’s family, the Herd members, and a bunch of other prehistoric mammals. Salvador asserts his dominance over the captured mammals. In response, Manny, Sid, Diego, Scrat, Roshan, and the others come together to devise a plan to stage an ambush against Salvador's tribe. They split up to confront the hunters in a dramatic showdown. Amidst the chaos, Diego encounters Zeke, Oscar, and Lenny - who plead for his help to make amends. Diego, though hesitant at first, agrees to assist them after hearing that they learned their mistakes. Meanwhile, Scrat, Reyna, and Buck work together to divert the attention of two of the hunters, creating an opportunity for Sid to rescue his family. In a heartfelt moment, Sid's family again expresses regret for abandoning him, and this time, Sid forgives them and apologizes for not doing so earlier. As the plan unfolds, Manny, Buck, Sid, and Julian, successfully liberate all The Herd members. However, Ellie and Peaches are nowhere to be found. To their dismay, they come face to face with Salvador’s large group of hunters. This sets the stage for a series of intense battles, with Scrat, Roshan, Reyna, and The Herd confronting the hunters individually. Scrat's unwavering determination leads to a heartwarming reunion with Scratte, as she falls in love with him all over again. Amidst the chaos, Roshan and Reyna found themselves surrounded by ten of Salvador's skilled hunters, and fought valiantly, then Manny appeared, joining the fray and bolstering their efforts with his strength. Meanwhile, Alejandro came face to face with Roshan. The two locked eyes, and a fierce determination burned within each of them. With the help of Scrat, Roshan emerged victorious and defeated Alejandro.
Afterwards, Manny goes around the base to find Ellie and Peaches. However, a revelation unfolds before Manny's eyes; Ellie and Peaches are tied to the very same wall where his past wife and son met their tragic fate. Salvador unleashes a colossal rock, intent on ending their lives. In a heart-stopping moment, Manny is besieged by a harrowing flashback of his family's demise. In a selfless act of heroism, he makes the ultimate sacrifice, springing into action to free Ellie and Peaches from the deadly trap. Julian ran to help, but Manny stopped him, and willingly faced the gigantic rock, choosing to sacrifice himself and get crushed by the boulder, much to everyone's horror. Manny now has a broken-down body, he begins to feel weak, his breathing becomes labored, and he senses his death. He bids a tearful farewell to everyone in the Herd. Peaches asks why he sacrificed himself, and Manny responds: "That's what you do in a Herd; You look out for each other." After Manny dies, everyone stands together, watching the tragedy that unfolds. Ellie and Peaches stand beside Manny's lifeless body, tears streaming down their faces and into Manny's eyes. However, their emotional scene is abruptly interrupted by Salvador, who mocks the scene and interrogates Peaches with lies, causing her to flash back horrible memories. Afterward, rage boiled within her, and she made the courageous decision to confront him, defying overwhelming odds with sheer determination. In a fierce battle, she, the squirrels, and the Herd weakened Salvador, leaving him unable to fight back, and Roshan finally struck him down with his spear, fulfilling his father's last wish. After the intense confrontation, Peaches once again went into labor, and the whole group sprang into action to help her. Julian, Roshan, and Scrat, unwavering in their support, stayed by her side throughout the labor. Meanwhile, Scratte, the Herd, and others quickly gathered berries and water, making sure Peaches had everything she needed for the challenging ordeal.
To everyone's relief, Peaches successfully gave birth to her baby. Julian experienced overwhelming joy as he gazed at his son's face for the first time. They decided to name him Matthew. The group gathered around to meet the adorable baby, feeling a mix of joy and sadness over Manny’s passing. However, their sorrow turned to disbelief when they made a stunning discovery: Manny was still alive. The Herd embraced him tightly, expressing their joy at being reunited. Manny's timely return allowed him to meet Peaches's newborn son, also named "Matthew" in tribute to Manny's past son, which left him in tears of happiness. Manny embraced the baby mammoth tightly and welcomed him to the Herd, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for being back with his loved ones. Afterward, Scrat and Scratte both indulged in the acorn and shared a kiss, and Manny welcomed the two squirrels into the Herd. As the mammals prepare to leave, they soon realize they're far from home. However, Granny has an idea in mind.
Later that afternoon, the mammals and hyraxes returned to Herd Valley, fearing they might have lost The Herd forever after, since it's been days. To their great relief, they found Roshan, Reyna, Scrat, Scratte, and The Herd making their way back on a large chunk of ice with the help of Granny's pet whale, Precious. They make it to the island, where all of the mammals greet them and Matthew with warmth and joy. However, amid the celebration, Manny was troubled by concerns about his daughter's future. Noticing Manny's distress, Sid stepped in to offer comfort, encouraging him to let go of his worries and embrace the present moment, suggesting that perhaps a miracle could occur. At that moment, Peaches and Julian decided to move back with The Herd, with the idea of Matthew getting to spend time with Manny, Ellie and the others. What Sid said was right.
As Roshan and Reyna faced the difficult decision of leaving Herd Valley to find a new home, they found themselves bidding a heartfelt farewell to Sid, Manny, and Diego. Despite Roshan's initial reluctance to leave, Reyna reassured him that they could stay and make a life with the mammals. In a surprising turn of events, Roshan revealed that he had already come to consider Herd Valley their home. This realization brought the four of them together in an emotional and heartfelt hug. Following that, Manny presented Roshan with his father's old necklace, a cherished memento that he had kept all these years.
After the narrative, the lives of The Herd undergo a remarkable transformation. Peaches and Julian are overjoyed by the arrival of their new baby, while Manny and Ellie take on the roles of proud and loving grandparents; Sid experiences a heartwarming reunion with his long-lost family, and is celebrated as a hero, receiving genuine respect and compassion by others; Louis invests time and effort into nurturing his relationship with Luana and their love blossoms to the point where they become engaged; Buck is considered a legend among the Herd, admired by all for his remarkable exploits. The Herd itself expands as the Mini-Sloths, The Vultures, Carl and Frank, Zeke, Oscar, Lenny, and Fast Tony join in, all choosing to make Herd Valley their home. As for Scrat, despite inadvertently causing significant upheaval on Earth in pursuit of his elusive acorn, he ultimately finds contentment. After finally eating his cherished acorn and building a life with Scratte, he becomes an official new member of The Herd, cherishing the moments spent with his friends and finding a sense of belonging. By the end of the film, the rest of The Herd takes a moment to embrace Peaches and Julian's child, while Scrat, Sid, Manny, Diego, and Roshan walk off into the sunset. During the movie credits, a montage of clips from the first film, The Meltdown, Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Continental Drift, and Collision Course is shown, accompanied by the song, Send Me on My Way. As the credits end, a message emerges on the screen, "In loving memory of Blue Sky Studios (1987-2021)", ending both the film and the series.
Cast[]
Main article: List of Ice Age characters
Main Characters[]
- Ray Romano as Manny, a woolly mammoth and the leader and co-founder of The Herd.
- John Leguizamo as Sid, a ground sloth and the co-founder of The Herd.
- Denis Leary as Diego, a saber-tooth tiger and the co-leader and co-founder of The Herd.
- Tye Sheridan as Roshan, the human baby from the first film, who is now a full grown adult. In this film, he reunites with Sid, Manny, and Diego, then warns them and the rest of The Herd about the upcoming mammal hunt.
- Javier Bardem as Salvador, an evil human hunter who killed Manny's past family and plans to begin the next mammal hunt.
- Jessie J as Brooke, a female ground sloth, Sid's wife and former resident of Geotopia.
- Jennifer Lopez as Shira, a female saber-tooth tiger, Diego's wife and former first mate pirate.
- Queen Latifah as Ellie, a female woolly mammoth and Manny's wife.
- Emma Watson as Reyna, a female human and Roshan's girlfriend.
- Seann William Scott and Josh Peck as Crash and Eddie, respectively, two opossums and Ellie's brothers.
- Keke Palmer as Peaches, a female woolly mammoth and Manny and Ellie's daughter, who is now pregnant with a child.
- Adam DeVine as Julian, a woolly mammoth and Peaches' husband.
- Josh Gad as Louis, a molehog who is Peaches' and Julian's best friend.
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Luana, a female molehog and Louis' love interest.
- Simon Pegg as Buck "Buckminster" Wild, a one-eyed fearless weasel who is daring, adventurous and a little eccentric.
- Wanda Sykes as Granny, an aging ground sloth and Sid's grandmother.
- Danny McBride as Alejandro, an evil human hunter and the leader of Salvador’s henchmen.
- Chris Pratt as Martinez, an evil human hunter and Salvador’s henchman.
- Jacob Vargas as Damian, an evil human hunter and Salvador’s henchman.
- Ryan Gosling as Gavino, an evil human hunter and Salvador’s henchman.
- Daisy Ridley as Hera, an evil human hunter and Salvador’s henchwoman.
- Amy Poehler as Vanessa, an evil human hunter and Salvador’s henchwoman.
- Chris Wedge as Scrat, a saber-toothed squirrel who usually tries to bury his acorn. In this film, he teams up with The Herd to help them defeat the hunters, all while trying to reconcile with Scratte.
- Karen Disher as Scratte, a female saber-toothed squirrel and Scrat's on-and-off love interest.
Supporting Characters[]
- Jack Black as Zeke, a saber-tooth tiger and a former member of Soto's pack.
- Diedrich Bader as Oscar, a saber-tooth tiger and a former member of Soto's pack.
- Alan Tudyk as Lenny, a saber-tooth tiger and a former member of Soto's pack.
- Kari Wahlgren as Matthew, a baby woolly mammoth and Peaches and Julian's son, who they named after Manny’s past son.
- Cedric the Entertainer as Carl, an Embolotherium.
- Stephen Root as Frank, a Brontops.
- Clea Lewis as Female Mini-Sloth.
- Jay Leno as Fast Tony, a giant armadillo.
- Will Arnett as Lone Gunslinger Vulture.
- Bill Hader as Gazelle.
- Alan Tudyk as Milton, Sid's father.
- Joy Behar as Eunice, Sid's mother.
- Ben Gleib as Marshall, Sid's brother.
- Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo as Uncle Fungus, Sid's uncle.
- Frank Welker as Precious, a giant whale who is Granny's pet.
- Mark Hamill as Runar, Roshan's father who was killed by Salvador in a flashback.
- Natalie Portman as Madeline, a female woolly mammoth and Manny's past wife.
- TBA as Matthew, a child woolly mammoth and Manny and Madeline's past son.
Production[]
Development[]
In 2016, Galen T. Chu indicated that a few concepts for the sixth installment were floating around. He emphasized that the production of a sixth film would heavily depend on the box office performance of the fifth film. Fast forward to 2017, Mike Thurmeier wrote on Twitter to express his thoughts following the harsh reception of the fifth film. He conveyed his desire to make the sixth movie a redemption arc for the franchise and hinted at a storyline that would involve the return of Roshan, the human baby introduced in the first film. Thurmeier stated, "It will be an awesome movie.”
In February 2017, PopWrapped commented on the subject of a sequel, pointing out the fifth film's poor reception and how the franchise was further away from keeping any last emotional impact on the audience, that the sixth film return to its roots by reintroducing the humans from the first film (particularly Roshan); to remind the audience why they love Ice Age so much in the first place, so the sixth film could redeem the franchise and end the series on a high note.
In 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired Blue Sky Studios as part of its purchase of 21st Century Fox assets. By February 2021, Blue Sky was officially closed, with plans to shut down operations by April 2021. This led to the release of a Disney+ spinoff titled The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, which garnered negative reviews, making Ice Age: Collision Course seem far superior in comparison.
In February 2022, producer Lori Forte discussed the possibility of a sequel while promoting The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, saying, "I think it's a little premature. We hope that people will respond to this, and that will promote us to be able to do another movie. If the audiences want it, we've got plenty of ideas. There's no end to ideas and adventures and characters, so we're ready if they're ready."
During a guest appearance on the Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me! podcast in September 2024, John Leguizamo hinted at the possibility of a sixth Ice Age film being in development. By November 2024, during D23 in Brazil, the film was officially announced to be in production with Ray Romano, Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, and Queen Latifah reprising their roles from the previous films.
In late January 2025, Donnie Long was confirmed as director for Ice Age 6. He disclosed that, following the poor reception of The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, he recognized the need to revive the franchise's theatrical presence and reputation. By March 2025, he indicated that sixth film would recapture the wit and humor (mostly the deep dramatic tone of the first film) that defined the first three installments of the franchise. He also expressed intentions to reintegrate several established side characters into the film, including Roshan from the first film. He assured fans the sixth installment would deliver an engaging cinematic experience, and serve as an apology for the previous installment. He said, "We always felt there was an untapped potential in the story of Roshan. What happened to him? What was his world like? Ice Age 6 will close that loop and exploring the very thing that brought Manny, Sid, and Diego together in the first place: their connection to humanity. It's a full-circle moment."
By April 2025, the film's production team announced that the events of The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild would no longer be considered part of the official timeline. Instead, the sixth film would be positioned chronologically after Ice Age: Collision Course, confirming that Buck Wild is officially non-canon within the series and the franchise as a whole. He stated, "We know that film didn't work. This is the true sixth sequel to the main series."
Ice Age 6 Announcement Poster
On July 4, 2025, during the Licensing Expo, a promotional poster was unveiled featuring Scrat's acorn on the ground, marked with the number six. On October 7, 2025, the film was officially titled Ice Age: The Hunted. However, on December 24, 2025, it was announced that the film's release would be postponed to July 6, 2026, because production had started earlier than expected.
Writing[]
The screenplay was planned to focus on character arcs and emotional resonance. The writing team created dialogue that felt authentic to the original characters. The script was structured to build suspense and deliver powerful emotional moments, particularly in scenes involving Manny's past and the new conflict with the human hunters. The comedic relief would be more character-driven and less reliant on slapstick.
The screenplay was penned by Mike Reiss, Michael Berg, Yoni Brenner, Jim Hecht, and Michael J. Wilson. The writers sought to correct the character "flanderization" that had occurred in previous sequels. Manny was restored to his original "lovable grump" persona, while Sid's intelligence and loyalty were emphasized. Julian, a character who received a mixed reception in Collision Course, was given a significant character arc, maturing from a "hip" goofball into a courageous, serious and caring family man. Another major writing decision was to give Scrat a pivotal role in the main plot, rather than relegating him to a series of separate scenes. The writing team worked to integrate him into the central narrative, allowing him to interact with the main Herd characters for the first time in a meaningful way.
Michael Berg, one of the writers for the film, said, "We were given a clear mission: 'Fix it.' The flanderization of the characters was something we all agreed on. It wasn't about making them more simple; it was about giving them back their complexity. Manny's journey, in particular, coming full circle with his past, was a core part of that. We wanted to end his story in a way that felt earned and complete."
Animation[]
The animation for the film was rendered using Pixar Renderman, following its prior application in Ice Age: Scrat Tales. This software enabled the fidelity of character design to align closely with previous iterations, particularly for characters featuring fur. Each character underwent a comprehensive redesign process, which included remodeling, re-furring, re-materialization, and re-rigging, while still preserving the iconic aesthetic established over the past five films, and also retain the character designs of Blue Sky Studios. Moreover, the animation style was specifically calibrated to mirror the animation from Scrat Tales.
Music[]
Batu Sener confirmed on his X account that he would be composing the score for the film, after he previously scored The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild and Ice Age: Scrat Tales. John Powell, (who composed the music for the first three sequels), and David Newman (who composed the music for first film), also collaborated with him.
Songs[]
- Send Me on My Way (End Credits)
Release[]
Ice Age: The Hunted premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on June 27, 2026, and was theatrically released on July 6, in the United States in 4DX, RealD 3D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema.
Marketing[]
A teaser trailer was released on November 25, 2025, by 20th Century Studios and Disney. Its second trailer was released on January 5, 2026, with the use of the song "Send Me on My Way."
Home media[]
Ice Age: The Hunted was released on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD on July 23, 2027, by 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment. The home media release included a Farewell to the Herd featurette, an audio commentary with the directors and writers, and deleted scenes.
Reception[]
Box office[]
Ice Age: The Hunted was a major box office success, grossing $567.9 million worldwide against a budget of $50–100 million. It opened to $67.4 million in its opening weekend, surpassing all of its predecessors' opening weekends. It was the highest-grossing film of the Ice Age franchise since Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
Critical reception[]
Ice Age: The Hunted received positive reviews from critics and audiences. It has an average rating of 8.9/10, while Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 95%. The consensus statement reads: "A stunning, heartfelt, and fitting conclusion to a beloved franchise, Ice Age: The Hunted proves that the Herd still has one more powerful story to tell." Another review aggregator, Metacritic, calculated a score of 87, placing it at the high end of the site's "Generally Favorable reviews" category. CinemaScore polls conducted during the opening weekend, cinema audiences gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.
Variety called the film "a masterclass in a franchise finale, proving that even a series with a long history can find its way back to its heart." The New York Times praised the film's dramatic tone, noting that it "succeeded where its predecessors failed by taking its characters and its world seriously."
Audience and Fan Response[]
The film was widely seen as an "apology" for the quality of the recent installments, and a large portion of the fan community expressed their satisfaction online. The film's emphasis on the original trio and its high-stakes plot were particularly well-received. Many long-time fans noted that the film felt like a proper, well-earned finale, a sentiment that had been missing from the franchise since the first film.
Trivia[]
- This is the longest Ice Age film in the franchise, specifically 129 minutes (2 hours, 9 minutes).
- This is the third theatrical Ice Age film to be produced in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the last two being Continental Drift and Collision Course.
- This is the third theatrical Ice Age film to be released in Digital 3D, the last two being Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Continental Drift.
- This is the sixth film in the Ice Age series to be theatrically released after Collision Course.
- The film was originally planned to be released on December 18, 2026. However, it was moved back to July 6th of that same year.
- Ice Age is the first computer-animated franchise to become a hexalogy (The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild doesn't count).
- This is the second Ice Age production to be directed by Donnie Long after he previously directed Ice Age: Scrat Tales.
- This is the second Ice Age film to be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
- This is the first 20th Century Studios animated film to get a theatrical release since The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022).
- This is the third theatrical animated follow-up to have the credits show a montage of clips from the previous installments play through the end credits after Shrek Forever After (2010) and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019).
- This film is set two years after the events of Collision Course. The events of The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild however, were completely ignored.
- This is the first Ice Age film to include humans (and Roshan) since the original Ice Age film.
- Unlike in the first film, humans can communicate with mammals.
- This is the first Ice Age film since Continental Drift to have Louis as a speaking character, since he only had a non-speaking cameo in Collision Course.
- All the characters are back to their original personalities after they've gone flanderized badly, and some other characters have had character development:
- Manny is back to being a slightly standoffish, but lovable grump. However, he does not have conflict with Peaches, and has accepted the fact that she's growing up to start her own family.
- Sid is back to being a wacky and spontaneous yet smart, optimistic and supportive best friend to Manny and Diego. He has matured now that he is married to Brooke.
- Crash and Eddie are back to being intelligent and crafty pranksters who firmly care about their friends.
- Peaches becomes increasingly selfless and loyal to her parents, not wanting to risk losing them.
- Buck has returned to being brave, cunning, and heroic, as he was in Dawn of the Dinosaurs, instead of being comedic, goofy, and addled-brained like in Collision Course.
- Julian has become less carefree and more responsible, showing increased cleverness, seriousness, and courage. He has also become overprotective of Peaches, wanting everything to be perfect now that they are both expecting a child. His behavior resembles that of Manny at the beginning of Dawn of the Dinosaurs when Ellie was pregnant. As a result, Julian has a stronger bond with Manny.
- Scrat, after sharing his new bond with The Herd, learns to cease his attachment to the acorn and try to make up with Scratte.
- This is the first Ice Age film to never have Scrat cause any world-altering events.
- This is the second Ice Age film to have a deep dramatic tone and emotional weight, just like the original 2002 film.
- Since Scrat was completely absent in The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, he was given a much bigger role in this film by teaming up with The Herd. Not only does he once again interact with Sid, Manny, Diego, and Granny, but he also interacts with Ellie, Crash, Eddie, Peaches, Julian, Louis, Buck, Shira, and Brooke for the first time.
- This is the fourth Ice Age film where Peaches' hairstyle changes.
- The teenage mammoths from Continental Drift (Ethan, Steffie, Katie, Meghan, and Ethan's Buddy), return as minor characters who have no speaking roles.
- Julian and Louis are portrayed as genuine friends who demonstrate care and concern for Peaches, which strengthens their bond.
- This is the first Ice Age film where Manny and Peaches don't argue.
- This is the first Ice Age film where Scrat has a happy ending.