After more than two decades, Pixar has decided to remove an infamous outtake scene from Toy Story 2, citing concerns about inappropriate humor in today’s cultural climate. The scene, featuring the character Stinky Pete engaging in a suggestive conversation with two Barbies, has been quietly erased from re-releases of the film.
While some view this move as long-overdue accountability, others see it as another case of excessive retroactive censorship. Either way, it raises an interesting question—how much of our past entertainment should be rewritten to align with modern standards?
For those who may not remember, Toy Story 2 originally included a series of bloopers and outtakes during the end credits, a playful tradition Pixar once enjoyed. One of these scenes featured Stinky Pete, the old prospector toy, in his original packaging, having a conversation with two identical Barbie dolls.
In the scene, Stinky Pete appears to be making suggestive comments, hinting that he could help them get a role in Toy Story 3. Upon realizing he’s being filmed, he awkwardly shifts gears, sending the Barbies away while pretending he wasn’t engaging in questionable behavior.
It was intended as a lighthearted joke—one that parodied the infamous “casting couch” trope in Hollywood.
At the time, audiences saw it as just another gag, blending Pixar’s humor with a satirical nod at the film industry. However, in today’s post-#MeToo world, the joke now carries a much darker connotation, making Pixar’s decision to remove it unsurprising.
The film industry has changed significantly over the last two decades. The #MeToo movement exposed systemic issues of harassment and exploitation, prompting studios to reevaluate how they portray power dynamics—especially in children’s entertainment.
With this in mind, Pixar likely felt the joke was no longer appropriate. By today’s standards, the gag about Stinky Pete promising the Barbies an opportunity in a future film plays uncomfortably close to the real-life abuses that have plagued Hollywood.
What once seemed like a harmless joke now serves as a reminder of an industry-wide problem.
Disney, Pixar’s parent company, has been on a mission to sanitize past content, removing or altering anything that could be seen as problematic. From warning labels on Dumbo to cutting questionable scenes from Lilo & Stitch, the company is no stranger to retroactively tweaking its classics to avoid backlash.
While many agree that the joke was in poor taste, others question whether deleting it is the right move. Some argue that erasing past content doesn’t change history and that acknowledging outdated jokes is a better approach than pretending they never existed.
Cinema and animation historians often advocate for context rather than censorship. Instead of removing content, they suggest including disclaimers or commentary to explain why certain elements may be problematic today. This approach allows audiences to understand how cultural norms evolve without erasing the past.
On the other hand, Pixar’s choice to remove the joke reflects a growing trend of holding media accountable for the messages it sends—especially in films targeted at children. While Toy Story 2 may have been released long before the #MeToo movement, its continued availability means it still has an impact on today’s audiences.
This isn’t the first time Disney or Pixar have revisited their older content with a more critical eye. Many classic Disney films contain racial stereotypes, outdated gender roles, and questionable humor that wouldn’t fly today. The debate over whether to preserve or alter these elements remains ongoing.
With streaming platforms now controlling access to much of our entertainment history, studios have more power than ever to modify their past work. This raises concerns about how much of our media legacy will be rewritten in the name of modern sensibilities.
While some believe this is a necessary step toward progress, others worry about the slippery slope of revisionism.
With the Toy Story franchise remaining one of Pixar’s biggest properties, this decision may not be the last time the studio reevaluates its older films. Could other Toy Story films be scrutinized for outdated humor? Will Disney continue editing its past work to fit contemporary standards?
For now, one thing is clear—media companies are more conscious than ever about the messages they send, even retroactively. Whether this leads to a better industry or a diluted version of our cinematic history remains up for debate.
