The prehistoric herd is officially back on the move. Ice Age 6 is currently in production and set for a December 18, 2026 theatrical release. This marks the first full-length Ice Age film in over a decade and the franchise’s first theatrical entry produced without the now-shuttered Blue Sky Studios.
Here’s a closer look at what we know so far about the sixth installment in the beloved animated saga—plus fresh insights and behind-the-scenes drama.
A New Era for Ice Age
At D23 Brazil in November 2024, Disney confirmed the project under 20th Century Animation, with Karen Disher (co-director of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs) returning in a creative leadership role. The production is notable for being the first big-screen Ice Age film developed entirely without Blue Sky Studios, which was shut down by Disney in 2021 following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Though Blue Sky’s closure cast doubt on the franchise’s future, Disney’s decision to revive the series speaks to its enduring popularity. The original Ice Age films grossed over $3.2 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated franchises of all time.
Returning Voices, Familiar Faces
Fans will be thrilled to know the original core cast is returning:
- Ray Romano as Manny
- John Leguizamo as Sid
- Denis Leary as Diego
- Queen Latifah as Ellie
- Simon Pegg as Buck
Leguizamo confirmed during a fall 2024 appearance that voice work began earlier that year and is now more than halfway completed.
Missing in Action: Joy Behar
One major voice will not be returning. Joy Behar, who voiced Sid’s mom in Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), revealed on The View in March 2025 that she was not invited back. Behar expressed surprise at being excluded, while Leguizamo confirmed that production was already 50% done and she simply wasn’t contacted. Her character’s absence might suggest a tighter narrative focus or a shift toward new character dynamics.
What’s It About?
Plot details are still being kept tightly under wraps. However, insiders hint the story may lean heavily on Buck’s subterranean adventures, expanding the weird and wild underground world first seen in Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Disney is also reportedly exploring a more emotional tone, aiming to balance family-friendly laughs with mature storytelling beats—similar to recent Pixar and DreamWorks hits like Inside Out 2 and Kung Fu Panda 4.
Expect a teaser trailer and promotional interviews to start dropping in late 2025, with a full marketing blitz kicking off by mid-2026.
Timeline So Far
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | Leguizamo teases new sequel in development |
| Nov 2024 | Ice Age 6 announced at D23 Brazil |
| Mar 2025 | Joy Behar confirms she was not invited back |
| Mid-2025 | Voice work reportedly 50% complete |
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Officially in production at 20th Century Animation
- 🎙️ Original voice cast returning (minus Joy Behar)
- 🦕 Possible story focus on Buck’s underground world
- 📅 Set for December 18, 2026 theatrical release
- 👀 Trailers expected by late 2025
The Ice Age franchise has always been about evolution—literally and figuratively. With a fresh production team, legacy cast, and a fanbase spanning generations, Ice Age 6 could be the comeback that redefines the franchise for a new era.
Latest Ghostbusters News
The Ghostbusters franchise is alive and buzzing with new releases, heartfelt goodbyes, and animated rebirths. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original films or a newcomer introduced through Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, there’s plenty happening in the ghostbusting universe.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Now Streaming and on Blu-ray
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire officially hit theaters in the U.S. on March 22, 2024, serving as a chilling sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This time, the Spengler family and their spectral allies return to face off against a supernatural deep-freeze threatening to plunge the world into a new ice age.
The film features returning stars Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, and Paul Rudd, blending the legacy of the original Ghostbusters with a fresh, youthful team. Legacy characters like Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore) and Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz) also reprise their roles, strengthening the emotional bridge between past and present.
After earning over $112.7 million at the domestic box office, Frozen Empire became available for digital purchase on May 7, 2024, and saw its DVD and Blu-ray release on June 25, 2024. With a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes, the film strikes a nostalgic balance between supernatural thrills and heartfelt family dynamics.
Saying Goodbye to Harris Yulin
In more somber news, Harris Yulin, the acclaimed actor who portrayed the no-nonsense judge in Ghostbusters II (1989), passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 87. His extensive career spanned decades, with memorable performances in Scarface, Training Day, Clear and Present Danger, and Broadway productions. His contribution to the Ghostbusters mythos, though brief, remains memorable for fans who grew up with the franchise. His passing is a poignant reminder of the era the original films helped define.
Ghostbusters Goes Animated (Again)
At the 2025 Annecy International Animation Festival, Netflix surprised fans by teasing a brand-new animated Ghostbusters series. This upcoming show joins other animated adaptations like Minecraft and Magic: The Gathering in Netflix’s push for genre-based serialized storytelling.
While details remain under wraps, the new series promises to reimagine the Ghostbusters brand for a new generation, likely blending stylized animation with classic ghostbusting humor and sci-fi action. This would be the third major animated Ghostbusters series, following The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1991) and Extreme Ghostbusters (1997).
Ghostbusters Day 2025: Toys, Collectibles & Immersive Experiences
Sony celebrated Ghostbusters Day (June 8) with an explosion of announcements and fan-focused merchandise. Highlights include:
- Hasbro’s “Ecto Glow” action figures, a retro-inspired collection with glow-in-the-dark detailing.
- A new glow-in-the-dark Ecto‑1 replica.
- A high-end proton pack replica, targeted at serious collectors and cosplay enthusiasts.
- Mondo revealed limited-edition prints and apparel exclusive to Ghostbusters Day attendees.
Additionally, Ghostbusters-themed slot machines have begun appearing in select Las Vegas casinos, offering fans a chance to interact with the franchise in new, gamified ways—complete with animated ghosts, proton beams, and fan-favorite voice lines.
What This All Means for Ghostbusters Fans
The Ghostbusters universe is not just lingering—it’s expanding. With a successful theatrical sequel (Frozen Empire), a revival of animated content through Netflix, and merchandise that taps into both nostalgia and modern fandom, Sony is clearly committed to keeping the brand relevant across media.
The blend of legacy and innovation—whether in casting, animation, or collectibles—shows that Ghostbusters isn’t just a product of the ’80s. It’s a living franchise still resonating across generations. As Sony gears up for more cross-platform storytelling, fans can expect more spectral surprises on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was released in theaters on March 22, 2024, with digital release following on May 7, 2024.
- The film has earned over $112 million at the U.S. box office and became available on DVD and Blu-ray on June 25, 2024.
- This action-comedy runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes and features both returning cast members and new additions to the Ghostbusters universe.
Plot and Setting
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” follows the Spengler family and a new team of Ghostbusters as they face an ancient evil threatening to bring a supernatural ice age to New York City. This installment builds on the franchise’s legacy while introducing new supernatural challenges.
The Spengler Family Legacy
Callie Spengler and her children, Phoebe and Trevor, continue the legacy of their grandfather, Egon Spengler. After moving to the iconic New York City Firehouse, they join forces with Gary Grooberson and the original Ghostbusters team.
The Spengler family’s scientific aptitude proves crucial in understanding the new supernatural threat. Phoebe, in particular, shows the same genius that her grandfather was known for, developing innovative approaches to ghostbusting technology.
This family connection provides emotional depth to the film, honoring the memory of Harold Ramis (who played Egon in the original films) while establishing the next generation of paranormal investigators.
Ancient Artifact and Supernatural Challenges
The plot centers around an ancient artifact that awakens a powerful entity known as the Firemaster. This malevolent force threatens to plunge New York City into a supernatural ice age.
The Ghostbusters discover that this artifact has ties to an ancient civilization that once battled similar paranormal forces. As the temperature in the city mysteriously drops, ghostly manifestations increase at an alarming rate.
The team must decipher the artifact’s history while containing increasingly dangerous spectral outbreaks across Manhattan. Their investigation leads them to realize that the Firemaster’s power grows stronger as the city gets colder, creating a race against time.
Cultural Impact of the Ghostbusters Franchise
“Frozen Empire” builds on the cultural foundation established by Ivan Reitman’s original films. The movie blends nostalgia with fresh elements that appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.
The return to the iconic Firehouse headquarters serves as a symbolic bridge between generations of ghost hunters. This location, instantly recognizable from the 1984 original, grounds the new story in the franchise’s rich history.
The film incorporates subtle references to previous installments while establishing its own identity. By balancing comedy with genuine scares, it maintains the tone that made Ghostbusters a cultural phenomenon.
The franchise continues to influence modern entertainment, with its unique blend of science fiction, comedy, and supernatural horror creating a template that many films still follow today.
Production and Release Information
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” brought together a talented team both in front of and behind the camera. The film moved from production through post-production before hitting theaters globally in March 2024.
Key Cast and Crew
Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon returned to lead the cast alongside younger stars Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace. The film also featured franchise veterans, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts, connecting the new story to the original films.
New additions to the cast included Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt, bringing fresh energy to the supernatural comedy. Gil Kenan directed the film, taking over from Jason Reitman, who directed the previous installment “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
Kenan and Reitman collaborated on the screenplay, with Reitman remaining involved as a producer. The production maintained the blend of comedy and adventure that has defined the franchise since its beginning.
Score and Visual Effects
The film’s score enhanced the spooky atmosphere while honoring the original Ghostbusters musical themes. The composers created a soundtrack that balanced nostalgic elements with fresh musical approaches to support the winter-themed story.
Visual effects played a crucial role in bringing the supernatural elements to life. The “frozen empire” concept required extensive digital work to create ice-based ghosts and paranormal phenomena.
The VFX team designed new ghost characters while also bringing back familiar spectral entities from previous films. Technical innovations allowed for more detailed ghost animations and interactions with the physical environment.
The film’s visual style embraced both practical effects and digital enhancements to create a believable world where paranormal scientists battle otherworldly threats.
Release Details and Distribution
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” hit theaters in the United States on March 22, 2024. The international rollout began slightly earlier, with countries like Belgium and Indonesia receiving the film on March 20, 2024.
Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures handled the theatrical distribution across global markets. The film’s box office performance reached $112.7 million in the United States, according to reported figures.
For home viewing, the digital release became available on May 7, 2024, through platforms like Amazon Video and iTunes. Physical media followed, with DVD and Blu-ray releases on June 25, 2024.
Reports indicate the film will begin streaming on Netflix by July 2024, expanding its availability to subscription service viewers. The theatrical run lasted approximately six weeks before transitioning to home entertainment platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many questions about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this exciting addition to the franchise.
When is the official release date for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was released in the United States on March 22, 2024. This date was actually moved up from its original planned release.
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes, making it a standard feature-length movie.
Who are the confirmed members of the cast for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
The cast includes returning actors from the previous film Ghostbusters: Afterlife, as well as original Ghostbusters cast members.
Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson, with Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler. Original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson also appear in the film.
McKenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard return as the Spengler grandchildren.
Has a trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire been released?
Yes, multiple trailers for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire have been released. The first official trailer debuted in late 2023.
The trailers showcase the new frozen-themed villain and the return of both new and classic Ghostbusters characters. They give fans a glimpse of the winter terror that threatens New York City.
Will Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire be released on DVD, and if so, when?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will be released digitally on May 7, 2025. The physical release on DVD and Blu-ray is expected to follow shortly after.
The exact physical release date hasn’t been officially announced yet. Home media releases typically include bonus features and deleted scenes.
What platforms will offer Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire for streaming?
After its theatrical run, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will likely be available on major streaming platforms. Sony Pictures films typically appear on Netflix due to existing distribution agreements.
The film will also be available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire a direct sequel to any previous Ghostbusters film?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a direct sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). It continues the story of the Spengler family.
The film maintains continuity with both Ghostbusters: Afterlife and the original Ghostbusters films from the 1980s. It brings together characters from multiple generations of the franchise.
