Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Movie · 2009 · Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure · 1h 34m · PG · English
Curator score: 2.8/10 (716.2K ratings)
Tagline: What killed the dinosaurs?
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.
Ratings:
- Curator score: 2.8/10
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Letterboxd: 3.25/5
- Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
- Metacritic: 50
- TMDB: 6.8/10
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Production: Blue Sky Studios, 20th Century Fox Animation, 20th Century Fox
Cast: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Queen Latifah, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Chris Wedge, Karen Disher, Eunice Cho, Maile Flanagan, Jason Fricchione, Harrison Fahn, Kelly Keaton, Joey King, Lucas Leguizamo, Jane Lynch, Regan Mizrahi
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict: A lively, kid-friendly sequel with bigger set pieces, more creature chaos, and a standout new side character, but it leans hard on broad gags and franchise formula. It works best as fast-moving family entertainment rather than a must-see animated classic.
Best for: families looking for an energetic adventure comedy; viewers who enjoy prehistoric creature antics and slapstick; fans of character-driven sidekick humor; kids who like colorful, fast-paced animation
Skip if: you want the sharpest or most emotionally rich animated films; you dislike loud, joke-heavy sequels; you are tired of franchise formula and pop-culture-style comedy; you prefer animation with stronger visual subtlety or depth
Overview: This entry in the series is built for momentum: a rescue mission, a hidden underground world, and a steady stream of creature gags. The animation is polished for its era, and the film knows how to keep younger viewers engaged with constant movement, bright colors, and a simple, readable story arc.
Worth noting: Its biggest asset is the introduction of Buck, who gives the movie a burst of manic energy and helps the whole thing feel less routine. The dinosaur setting also adds a welcome sense of scale and danger, even if the film mostly plays those elements for comedy rather than suspense.
Bottom line: The downside is that it rarely surprises. The emotional beats are familiar, the jokes can be broad, and the movie often feels like it is checking boxes for a family sequel. Still, as a crowd-pleasing animated adventure with enough personality to carry it, it lands in the solid middle tier.
Top Letterboxd reviews:
- BlakeMower: Everyone say thank you to this movie for making Sid an official MILF
- fives: Scrat was right. Nuts over hoes, always.
- vasili: okay but the mcdonalds happy meal toys for this movie were next level
- Tommy Williams: Sid jerked off a Buffalo
- lauren: arguably the best one in the franchise
Recommended similar titles:
- The Incredibles (2004 · Action, Adventure, Animation · 1h 55m · PG · Curator 8.9/10 (3.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
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- Shrek (2001 · Animation, Comedy, Fantasy · 1h 30m · PG · Curator 8.9/10 (3.6M ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock, Peacock Premium Plus)
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- Madagascar (2005 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 26m · PG · Curator 4.5/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads)
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- Kung Fu Panda (2008 · Action, Animation, Comedy · 1h 30m · PG · Curator 7.6/10 (2M ratings) · Where to watch: Hulu)
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- Finding Nemo (2003 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · G · Curator 8.9/10 (3.4M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus, Hulu)
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- How to Train Your Dragon (2010 · Fantasy, Adventure, Animation · 1h 38m · PG · Curator 8.7/10 (2.6M ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus)
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- Chicken Run (2000 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 24m · G · Curator 7.1/10 (692.9K ratings))
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- A Bug's Life (1998 · Family, Animation, Adventure · 1h 35m · G · Curator 5.5/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
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- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 27m · PG · Curator 6.9/10 (684.4K ratings) · Where to watch: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential)
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- Over the Hedge (2006 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 23m · PG · Curator 6.8/10 (4.8K ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus)
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Topics: animated adventure, family comedy, prehistoric setting, slapstick, buddy comedy, kids animation, road-trip energy, 2000s animation, lighthearted
https://watchlist.tannermartz.com/apple/movie/ice-age-dawn-of-the-dinosaurs/8355
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Movie · 2009 · Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure · 1h 34m · PG · English
Curator score: 2.8/10 (716.2K ratings)
What killed the dinosaurs?
Overview 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.
Ratings
Curator score: 2.8/10
IMDb: 6.9/10
Letterboxd: 3.25/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
Metacritic: 50
TMDB: 6.8/10
Production Blue Sky Studios, 20th Century Fox Animation, 20th Century Fox
Cast Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Queen Latifah, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Chris Wedge, Karen Disher, Eunice Cho, Maile Flanagan, Jason Fricchione, Harrison Fahn, Kelly Keaton, Joey King, Lucas Leguizamo, Jane Lynch, Regan Mizrahi
Where to watch Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A lively, kid-friendly sequel with bigger set pieces, more creature chaos, and a standout new side character, but it leans hard on broad gags and franchise formula. It works best as fast-moving family entertainment rather than a must-see animated classic.
Best for
families looking for an energetic adventure comedy
viewers who enjoy prehistoric creature antics and slapstick
fans of character-driven sidekick humor
kids who like colorful, fast-paced animation
Skip if
you want the sharpest or most emotionally rich animated films
you dislike loud, joke-heavy sequels
you are tired of franchise formula and pop-culture-style comedy
you prefer animation with stronger visual subtlety or depth
Overview
This entry in the series is built for momentum: a rescue mission, a hidden underground world, and a steady stream of creature gags. The animation is polished for its era, and the film knows how to keep younger viewers engaged with constant movement, bright colors, and a simple, readable story arc.
Worth noting
Its biggest asset is the introduction of Buck, who gives the movie a burst of manic energy and helps the whole thing feel less routine. The dinosaur setting also adds a welcome sense of scale and danger, even if the film mostly plays those elements for comedy rather than suspense.
Bottom line
The downside is that it rarely surprises. The emotional beats are familiar, the jokes can be broad, and the movie often feels like it is checking boxes for a family sequel. Still, as a crowd-pleasing animated adventure with enough personality to carry it, it lands in the solid middle tier.
Top Letterboxd reviews
BlakeMower (5★) · 1526 likes
Everyone say thank you to this movie for making Sid an official MILF
fives (2.5★) · 1392 likes
Scrat was right. Nuts over hoes, always.
vasili (3★) · 1264 likes
okay but the mcdonalds happy meal toys for this movie were next level
Tommy Williams (3★) · 1036 likes
Sid jerked off a Buffalo
lauren (4.5★) · 959 likes
arguably the best one in the franchise
Recommended similar titles
2004 · Action, Adventure, Animation · 1h 55m · PG · Curator 8.9/10 (3.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A smart, energetic family adventure that balances comedy, action, and warm ensemble dynamics.
2001 · Animation, Comedy, Fantasy · 1h 30m · PG · Curator 8.9/10 (3.6M ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock, Peacock Premium Plus
Broad, fast-moving animated comedy with irreverent humor and strong character chemistry.
2005 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 26m · PG · Curator 4.5/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
A colorful studio animation comedy built on animal personalities, slapstick, and constant momentum.
2008 · Action, Animation, Comedy · 1h 30m · PG · Curator 7.6/10 (2M ratings) · Where to watch: Hulu
A crowd-pleasing animated adventure with big action, clear character arcs, and family appeal.
2003 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · G · Curator 8.9/10 (3.4M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus, Hulu
An accessible family adventure that mixes danger, humor, and a strong emotional core.
2001 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 32m · G · Curator 8.7/10 (3.2M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Playful creature comedy with a warm friendship story and polished visual invention.
2010 · Fantasy, Adventure, Animation · 1h 38m · PG · Curator 8.7/10 (2.6M ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
A bigger, more emotionally resonant creature adventure with strong world-building and excitement.
2000 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 18m · G · Curator 7.6/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A joke-forward animated comedy that moves quickly and thrives on character banter.
2000 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 24m · G · Curator 7.1/10 (692.9K ratings)
A family-friendly escape adventure with brisk pacing, visual wit, and ensemble comedy.
1998 · Family, Animation, Adventure · 1h 35m · G · Curator 5.5/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
An ensemble animated adventure with humor, ecosystem world-building, and underdog energy.
2004 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 27m · PG · Curator 6.9/10 (684.4K ratings) · Where to watch: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential
Absurd, high-energy comedy that keeps the jokes and visual gags coming.
2006 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 23m · PG · Curator 6.8/10 (4.8K ratings) · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
A family animation comedy about mismatched animals, suburban chaos, and quick-fire humor.
Topics
animated adventure, family comedy, prehistoric setting, slapstick, buddy comedy, kids animation, road-trip energy, 2000s animation, lighthearted
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