First Look: ‘Ice Age’ series looks to remain cool

When: Opening Friday at local theaters.

Cast: The voices of Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Peter Dinklage, Joy Behar and Queen Latifah.

Directors: Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier

The story: Scrat’s pursuit of his beloved acorn causes the continents to split apart, setting Manny (Romano), Diego (Leary) and Sid (Leguizamo) adrift on an iceberg. While floating, they encounter a band of pirates led by an ape named Captain Gutt (Dinklage).

The buzz: Upon its release in 2009, the previous installment, “Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” became the third-highest grossing movie ever in international markets, earning $690 million compared to $196 million in the U.S. “Continental Drift” is starting out strong, too, breaking records for the biggest opening weekend throughout Central America, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru.

– CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE