In the Ice Age fandom, this lost scene is a minor legend. Some fans are furious:

The specific animated kiss has not been officially released to the public in full video form on home media. However, you can find details and recreations through these resources:

According to the commentary and contemporary interviews with the animation team, the decision came down to two factors:

However, concept art floating on fan wikis shows Shira and Diego in a much closer embrace than anything in the final film. And on the DVD/Blu-ray commentary, director Steve Martino vaguely mentions “a romantic beat that didn’t survive the final cut” without elaborating.

Ice Age: Collision Course, released in 2016, marked the fifth film in the Ice Age series. The story follows Manny and his friends as they navigate a new threat to their home: a series of asteroids hurtling towards Earth. Along the way, Diego meets Shira, a sleek and charming saber-toothed tiger who is part of a group of animals fleeing from the impending disaster. As the two tigers spend more time together, their mutual attraction becomes clear, but their romance is largely relegated to the background.

For those who need a refresher: Shira starts as a loyal lieutenant to Captain Gutt (voiced by Peter Dinklage), the pirate king. After being captured by Manny’s herd, she slowly bonds with Diego. Their relationship is built on snark, mutual respect, and Diego’s trademark sarcasm. By the film’s end, she joins the herd, and they become an official couple (continuing into Ice Age 5 ).