Why Disney Moved Ice Age 6 to Boost Avengers: Doomsday’s Box Office

Disney has once again reshuffled its release calendar, and the big winner is Avengers: Doomsday. With Ice Age: Boiling Point pushed back to 2027, the MCU’s next Avengers film now has a clearer path to dominate the 2026 holiday season.

Why Did Disney Delay Ice Age: Boiling Point?

At Destination D23, Disney confirmed that Ice Age: Boiling Point will now release on February 5, 2027. Originally, the animated film was set for December 18, 2026 — the exact date Marvel Studios shifted Avengers: Doomsday to after its earlier delay.

The move was strategic. By separating two of its own major titles, Disney avoids internal competition and ensures that both projects can maximize their box office potential.

What Competition Does Avengers: Doomsday Face in December 2026?

Even without Ice Age 6 in its way, Avengers: Doomsday won’t have December to itself. Warner Bros. is holding firm with Dune: Messiah on December 18, while Jumanji 4 is set for December 11.

Universal has already adjusted, moving Shrek 5 from December 23, 2026, to June 30, 2027, likely to avoid clashing with Marvel’s massive ensemble. This shows how studios recognize the Avengers’ box office power, even in a post-Endgame era.

Why Is Disney Clearing the Path for Avengers 5?

While Marvel movies once felt untouchable, recent releases have seen mixed results at the box office. Clearing the slate helps ensure Doosday performs closer to Avengers: Endgame levels rather than falling short due to overcrowding.

Families flock to theaters in December, and although Ice Age 6 wouldn’t have beaten the MCU blockbuster, it could have siphoned off family audiences. By moving the animated sequel, Disney gives Doomsday its best chance at global success.

What Is Avengers: Doomsday About?

Directed by the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday will bring together the Avengers, New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wakanda, and Fox’s X-Men. Robert Downey Jr. headlines as Doctor Doom, the Multiversal villain expected to replace Kang as the franchise’s main threat.

The film is Marvel Studios’ first Avengers project since 2019’s Endgame, and fan interest remains sky-high as speculation builds over possible cameos, including Spider-Man and other Multiverse heroes.

Will Other Studios Change Their Release Dates?

The big question now is whether rival studios will blink. Warner Bros. may feel confident about Dune: Messiah, with stars like Zendaya and Florence Pugh boosting its appeal. But as Avengers: Doomsday marketing ramps up, studios will likely reevaluate their release strategies.

For now, Disney’s calendar shuffle shows just how much faith it has in Doosday — and how determined it is to make the film the box office event of 2026.