After the release of Ice Age in March 2002, executive producer Chris Meledandri commented on the potential Ice Age sequel: "The success of Ice Age is something that gives us additional momentum. It's too early to say, but it's certainly something we'll explore." By June 2002, Blue Sky Studios was already working on the sequel. In 2003, Lori Forte, the producer of the first film, signed a multi-year deal with Fox Feature Films to develop and produce animated films, including a potential Ice Age sequel. During an interview with Denis Leary in July 2003, he said that he had expressed hope to reprise his role as Diego in the sequel: "I think there's a story – the people at Fox are working on one right now. I think they're talking about going back into the studios something around late Fall." In that same year, 2006 was reported as the planned release year, and by August 2004, its final release date, March 31, 2006, had been set.
Ice Age: The Meltdown
(2006)4
| Country | |
| Spoken Language | english |
| Runtime | 1 hr 31 min |
| Budget | $80 000 000 |
| Premiere: World | $667 318 416 March 29, 2006 |
| USA | $195 330 621 |
| Other countries | $471 987 795 |
| Box Office – Budget | $587 318 416 |
| Premiere: USA | $195 330 621 March 19, 2006 |
| first day | $21 788 862 |
| first weekend | $68 033 544 |
| Digital: World | November 4, 2008 |
| Production Companies | |
| Also Known As | Alex 8: The Meltdown United States Ice Age 2: The Meltdown United Kingdom |
Description
Manny, Sid and Diego discover that the ice age is coming to an end, and join everybody for a journey to higher ground. On the trip, they discover that Manny is not in fact the last of the woolly mammoths.Сast and Crew
Director
Camera
Videos Stills Posters Filming Promo Screenshots Covers Concept
What is “Ice Age: The Meltdown” about?
The Ice Age is ending and meltwater threatens to flood the valley. Manny, Sid, and Diego lead their friends toward safety, facing new dangers and learning that the supposed “last safe place” is more complicated than it sounds.
Do I need to watch the first film before “The Meltdown”?
It helps, because you’ll better understand how the “herd” formed and why they’re so close. Still, the sequel is mostly self-contained and quickly sets up relationships and goals early on.
Why is there so much water, and why is flooding the main threat?
The core premise is rapid warming and melting ice. For the characters, that means rising water, a collapsing habitat, and a race against time: escape the valley or get trapped.
Who are Ellie, Crash, and Eddie, and what do they add to the story?
Ellie is a mammoth who becomes central to Manny’s arc, adding a personal conflict and growth around the idea of “family.” Crash and Eddie, the possums, are comedic chaos agents who also end up helping the group out of trouble.
What is Manny and Ellie’s storyline about, and why does it matter?
It’s about loneliness, self-acceptance, and fear of losing loved ones. Manny believes he’s “the last mammoth,” which makes him anxious and overly burdened. Ellie helps him reframe the future as more than survival—as a real life.
Why does Diego act differently than in the first film?
In the first film he’s a loner with a loyalty conflict; here he’s already part of a family. In “The Meltdown,” his struggle is fear—he’s strong, but worried about becoming useless or failing, which is new (and irritating) for him.
Who are the “sea monsters,” and where do they come from?
They’re prehistoric marine predators that end up in newly flooded areas as the water rises. They raise the stakes and add set-piece adventure: water becomes not only a force of nature but a dangerous domain.
What do Scrat and his acorn symbolize in the second film?
Scrat remains comic relief, but his acorn obsession also parodies the need for control: he clings to something that keeps slipping away and accidentally triggers bigger events. It contrasts with the main characters learning to let go and move forward.
Is the film suitable for kids, and what’s the overall tone?
Yes—it's a family adventure with lots of physical comedy, friendship, and momentum. There are tense moments (chases, water hazards) but nothing excessively harsh; the overall tone stays light and humorous.
Are there jokes in “The Meltdown” aimed at adults?
Yes, like many family animated films: some lines and situations play differently for kids and adults. Still, the humor stays fairly clean and doesn’t require special context.
Who directed the film, and what stands out about the direction?
One of the directors is Carlos Saldanha. The direction leans into a “disaster adventure” vibe: constant motion, chases, and set pieces, with comedy integrated into the action to keep the pace high.
How does “The Meltdown” differ in tone from the first “Ice Age”?
The sequel is bigger and faster: less of a road-story feel and more set pieces driven by a natural disaster. The core remains friendship and found-family—just delivered through louder, more adventurous scenes.
Does the film have a moral or central theme?
The central theme is chosen family: differences matter less than sticking together, and taking responsibility not from fear but from love and trust. The disaster backdrop makes that message stand out.
Is there a post-credits scene, and should I keep watching until the end?
Yes—typically there’s an extra short comedic bit in the series’ style. If you enjoy Scrat and gag humor, it’s worth staying through the credits.
Production
Sign up and you will see here
friends impressions of the animated movie.
Friends comments and ratings
Still a good cartoon on par with the original. Although the story is less holistic, funny characters have appeared and family values have become more global
These possums, this Ellie, the inarticulateness and unnecessaryness of some scenes, Manny’s bawling, irritate me, but what amazing humor there is. Every joke is on point, and there is enough humor here for both children and their parents. The Diego branch and references to the Flood and the Ark are interesting
I like the second tape no less than the first. But the first part is larger, due to greater drama and the presence of a plot thread with people. There’s a little more humor here. The main idea is that the last mammoth on earth is not the last. Possums and Sid use good humor. Squirrel is top. I recommend
Add a short review
280 characters