Disney Announces ‘Ice Age 6’ for 2026 with Original Cast Members Returning

Disney has made a significant announcement at D23 Brazil, the first South American iteration of the Disney fan convention, revealing that a sixth installment in the beloved ‘Ice Age’ franchise is set to hit theaters in 2026. This new film marks the first proper installment since 2016’s ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’.

The upcoming film will see the return of original cast members Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Queen Latifah, who have been integral to the franchise’s success. However, it remains unclear whether Denis Leary, who voiced the character Diego, will also be returning.

The ‘Ice Age’ series is one of the most successful animated franchises in history, having amassed over $6 billion from the first five movies. The franchise follows a group of prehistoric mammals, including Manny the woolly mammoth, Sid the ground sloth, and Diego the sabertoothed tiger, as they navigate various adventures and misadventures.

A notable aspect of the new film is the uncertainty surrounding which animation studio will be handling the production. Previously, Blue Sky Studios, which was acquired by Disney in 2019 and subsequently disbanded, was responsible for the earlier ‘Ice Age’ films. The recent ‘The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild’ was animated by Vancouver-based Bardel Entertainment, but it did not feature the full original cast.

The announcement at D23 Brazil has generated significant excitement among fans, who are eager to see the return of beloved characters, including Scrat, the sabertoothed squirrel known for his relentless pursuit of an elusive nut.