Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Performance & Direction: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Review
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs features a noteworthy lineup led by Ray Romano . Supported by the likes of John Leguizamo and Denis Leary , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Quick Plot Summary: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Times are changing for Manny the moody mammoth, Sid the motor mouthed sloth and Diego the crafty saber-toothed tiger. Life heats up for our heroes when they meet some new and none-too-friendly neighbors – the mighty dinosaurs. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Ending Breakdown: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to animation resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $90.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $886.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Budget
The estimated production budget for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is $90.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
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Where to Watch Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Online?
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YouTubeIce Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs worth watching?
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs?
The total duration of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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Critic Reviews for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
My favorite out of the series. Introduces a new character and he cracks me up. I love this movie.
When "Sid" crashes through the ice and discovers a nest of eggs, he is soon rather unwillingly adopted by their parent and finds himself in a lost, more dangerous and Jurassic, world. Meantime, atop the ice his pals are anticipating the arrival of a baby mammoth while sabre-tooth "Diego" is having a bit of a mid-life crisis and "Scrat" might just have found love during his latest acorn-tussle. The gang soon realise that "Sid" has gone AWOL and that they are going to have to risk life and limb to try and rescue their buddy from his new hostile environment - so off they head into the perilous land of dinosaurs and of the hugely annoying "Buck". He's the eye-patched, and very verbose, weasel who claims to be the sort of Allan Quartermain of dino-hunters. From hereon in there are plenty of lively escapades to be had as the franchise quite successfully morphs into the world of the T-Rex and velociraptor whilst helping "Diego" feel valued again and getting everyone ready for the arrival of the wooly wean. The soundtrack is interesting - most of it way too old for the demographic, I'd have thought - but the animation is fun to watch with a better story than "Meltdown" (2006) and even if I really would have preferred something had eaten the weasel very much earlier on, it's a solid and entertaining outing for everyone and that acorn is still elusive!
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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