Why is 'Toy Story 5' rated PG? What parents need to know
Why is 'Toy Story 5' rated PG? What parents
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYThu, June 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM UTC
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Spoiler alert! We're discussing major plot details about Pixar's animated movie "Toy Story 5" (in theaters now). Stop reading if you haven't seen it yet and don't want to know what happens.
Before you ride like the wind to the movie theater, there are a few things you should know about "Toy Story 5."
The critically adored sequel reunites all of your favorite characters, including sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack). And true to the franchise, the new movie is both hysterical and heartwarming, while still dealing with some mature, timely themes that will resonate with parents especially.
Although the new "Toy Story" is generally fine for all ages, here is what adults should be aware of before taking their very youngest kids:
What is 'Toy Story 5' about?
Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack, left), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Woody (Tom Hanks) face an existential threat when a touchscreen tablet enters the home in "Toy Story 5."
It's the age of the machine in "Toy Story 5," in which the imaginative 8-year-old Bonnie (voiced by Scarlett Spears) is one of the lone holdouts her age still playing with toys. Worried that she has no friends, Bonnie's parents buy her a gaming tablet known as Lilypad (Greta Lee), which connects her virtually to other girls, but also makes her depressed and isolated.
Concerned that Bonnie has lost her sense of play, Jessie embarks on a mission to find Bonnie a true friend – and heal some long-standing emotional wounds of her own.
What is 'Toy Story 5' rated?
"Toy Story 5" is rated PG for thematic elements and rude humor. It's the first time in the franchise's 31-year history that a "Toy Story" film hasn't been rated G.
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What age is 'Toy Story 5' appropriate for?
Bullseye, left, and Jessie make new friends with Atlas, Smarty Pants and Snappy in "Toy Story 5."
"Toy Story 5" is recommended for ages 5 and up. The main sticking point for some parents may be the movie's frequent bathroom humor, thanks in large part to new character Smarty Pants (Conan O'Brien), a potty-training device.
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There are multiple allusions to pee, poop and farts (referred to as No. 1, No. 2 and No. 1.5). One of Smarty Pants' buttons has a poop symbol on it, and there a couple of suggestive turns of phrase. (At one point, a character yells, "Flush you!" And another is cut off just before they say, "He'll wipe your a--.")
"Toy Story 5" is also notable for having what is perhaps the franchise's first on-screen kiss. Although Bo Peep has given Woody pecks on the cheek in the past, the new movie features an airborne smooch between Buzz and Jessie after he works up the courage to propose.
How sad or scary is 'Toy Story 5'?
By now, we all know that most Pixar movies are emotional terrorism. (If you watched the end of "Toy Story 3" without welling up, then you might be made of plastic yourself.)
The last four movies have had creepy, menacing characters such as Sid, Stinky Pete, Gabby Gabby and the Bensons ventriloquist dummies. There's no one near as frightening in "Toy Story 5," although there are a couple of farm animals who startle Jessie and Bullseye.
Like the other films, there are some intense sequences of toys getting lost and separated from their owners. But the most heartbreaking scenes are of Bonnie, who is distraught and tearful after receiving hurtful messages online.
If your kids are upset watching Bonnie in distress, it's a good opportunity to start a conversation with them after the movie about bullying, kindness and internet safety.
What is the runtime of 'Toy Story 5'?
"Toy Story 5" is 1 hour and 42 minutes long. If your kids need to use the restroom, there is a lengthy stretch midway through the film where a small army of Buzz Lightyear toys infiltrate a campsite, and Buzz and Woody unplug Lily's charger back at Bonnie's house. Neither plot point is crucial to understanding the rest of the movie, so it's a fair time for a quick break.
What is the release date for 'Toy Story 5'?
"Toy Story 5" is in theaters everywhere June 19, with early screenings starting at most locations June 18.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is 'Toy Story 5' OK for little kids? A parent's guide to PG movie
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
