Pixar's Toy Story 5 debut sparks mixed reactions, including Tim Allen calling romance scene 'creepy

Pixar released its fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise, featuring the familiar toys confronting a new tablet device that occupies their owner Bonnie's attention. The film continues the series' box‑office trend, aiming for a ten‑figure gross.

In an interview with US Magazine, returning voice actor Tim Allen said that the moment Buzz Lightyear shares a kiss with Jessie felt "creepy" to him. Allen explained that the romantic subplot, which culminates in a playful wedding imagined by Bonnie, initially made him uneasy, likening his reaction to the quiet that follows a kissing scene when watching movies with his teenage daughter. He later acknowledged the scene’s potential to provoke a mixture of adult and child responses.

Critics and audiences have offered a wide range of opinions on Toy Story 5, from praise for its animation and voice work to criticism that the sequel feels like a cash grab. The film’s emphasis on Jessie and the introduction of a romantic storyline mark a shift in the franchise’s tone.