Top 10 Best Toy Story Franchise Characters

If you've ever found yourself quoting "There's a snake in my boot!" or got way too emotional over a group of animated toys holding hands in a furnace, then this list is definitely for you.

Toy Story isn't just a bunch of kids' movies. It's a full-blown childhood experience that somehow still hits just as hard years later. Since the first film came out in 1995, Pixar has been serving up characters with more personality than some real people. With four movies in the series, each one pushing the story and characters forward, there's a whole toybox worth of favorites to think about.

From loyal cowboy sheriffs to space rangers going through identity crises, the Toy Story franchise has introduced some unforgettable characters. And not just the main ones. Some of the most entertaining moments came from side characters who barely had any screen time but still managed to stick with you.

This list lets you decide which Toy Story characters deserve the spotlight. Maybe you're all about the classics like Woody and Buzz, or maybe you think a nervous green dinosaur or a plastic piggy bank deserves more attention.

The Top Ten

  1. Woody

    Sheriff Woody Pride is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He is voiced by Tom Hanks in all of the feature-length and short films, while Jim Hanks provides the voice in video games and shorts.

    Woody is a pull-string cowboy doll who leads the other toys on various adventures in the... read more

    Woody is the heart and soul of Toy Story and the archetypal father figure of the group. He leads as best as he can, but even when he fails or comes across as mean, you can't help but love him.

    In the end, he is just trying to do his best.

    Woody is so great! I am really sad that people judged him before knowing his reasons for what he was doing. I can relate to him on so many levels.

    I was disappointed that he left his friends in the 4th movie but glad that he had Bo. I was frustrated when Bonnie didn't care that Woody wasn't with her at the end of the movie. Seriously, a spork? Come on. And she has Woody to thank for that spork. What did Bonnie do in the third movie? Grab for Woody. In the 4th movie, she PICKS UP A SPORK and thinks he's better than Woody? XD

    Don't forget how Woody tried to reunite Forky with Bonnie pretty much the entire film. Woody is so hardworking and dedicated. I hope there's a Toy Story 5 in which Bo Peep and Woody can reunite with the others, and maybe some people can apologize to Woody.

    Poor Andy, he should get Woody back, and Bo too. Maybe his kids will have them in the next film. Or Bo will still want to be independent. Whatever they decide, I hope Woody and Bo never get separated again.

  2. Buzz Lightyear

    Buzz Lightyear is a fictional character from the Toy Story franchise. He is a toy modeled after a space ranger hero and plays a major role in the films and related merchandise.

    In 2022, he was the central character in the spin-off film Lightyear. Buzz is voiced by Tim Allen in the Toy Story movies... read more

    A character that thought he was a space ranger in the first and third films. He is a really interesting character.

    Buzz Lightyear has always been my number 1 Toy Story character, but have I read it incorrectly, or is he number 2? He should be placed 1.

    He's heroic, adventurous, and pretty cool. I like his and Woody's friendship.

  3. Rex

    Rex is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He is a green plastic Tyrannosaurus rex toy with a nervous personality. Rex is voiced by actor Wallace Shawn.

    He was the first Toy Story character I've ever seen and the one I have the most in common with. He doesn't do much, but he's awesome. Very underrated.

    Though, really, all the Toy Story characters are underrated nowadays. Now it's just a bunch of Mary-Sues (cough-cough-BoPeep-cough-cough) and idiots. I would pay a million quid to watch an hour and a half of Rex needing a Xanax and the others telling him to shut up. He should really have his own show.

    Oh my god, someone write that please! Something about Rex to make him a hero. He needs it. That, and a Xanax.

    Oh my god, he is funny. The least scary dinosaur in the world is here smiling at you guys! He is better than Woody, but not my favourite. He has tiny green arms, and although he's never the main character, people should like him. Vote for him.

  4. Slinky Dog

    Slinky is my favorite character in the Toy Story series. I know a lot of people like Woody and Buzz, but I've loved Slinky since the first movie. He's the reason I started watching the Toy Story movies. Just seeing that cute dog on the cover was enough to make me watch the four movies.

    I wish he had a bigger role, though. Bottom line: PUT SLINKY IN NUMBER 1!

    Love him so much! Have you noticed he's the only actual single guy there? Woody has Bo Peep, Buzz has Jessie, Rex has Trixie (I think), and Barbie has Ken. Shouldn't ol' Slinky get a lover too?

  5. Mr. Potato Head

    Mr. Potato Head is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He is based on the Hasbro toy of the same name and is one of Andy's, and later Bonnie's, toys. Mr. Potato Head was voiced by comedian Don Rickles until his death in 2017, and his performance contributed significantly to the character's... read more

    NUMBER 5?! He is the absolute best character in the franchise. I think he's got the most quotable lines in the entire first film. "How come YOU don't have a laser, Woody?!" He is also fudging savage as well. I don't get why Woody is number 1. I mean, he's an okay character. Don't get me wrong, but you gotta admit he's a little overrated.

    Boo! Potato Head was mean to Woody in the first one! But he's still one of my favorite characters.

    Definitely one of the funniest characters. After all, he became Picasso and called Hamm an uncultured swine.

  6. Jessie

    Jessie is a fictional character from the Pixar films Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4, voiced by Joan Cusack. She is a cowgirl doll and a member of Woody's Roundup gang. Jessie is known for her energetic personality and emotional backstory involving her former owner Emily.

    Jessie has the saddest backstory. She's the only toy to ever be abandoned, which makes me feel sorry for her! Also, she is funnier, braver, and more willing to keep her friends safe than Woody and Buzz! Let's not forget she saved Woody!

    I think Jessie is a cool Toy Story character. She's tough, brave, funny, and I can relate to her a lot. Jessie, you rock!

    A character that has a tragic backstory and one of the few female characters in the franchise with actual dimension.

  7. Hamm

    Hamm is a supporting character in the Toy Story franchise. He is a plastic piggy bank with a cork in his belly and is known for his wisecracking personality. Hamm is voiced by actor John Ratzenberger, who has appeared in every Pixar film to date.

    John Ratzenberger plays a role with a lot of sass and sarcasm, only outnumbered by Mr. Potato Head. Overall, he's a great character.

    Oh! I get why the pig's name is Hamm: it's because Hamm is made out of pigs. Get it?!

    He's just a cynical and pessimistic pig. What's not to love?

  8. Bullseye

    Bullseye is underrated. He's so pure. He has the heart of a loyal horse mixed with the loyalty and innocence of a puppy. He deserves to be loved all the time.

    Bullseye is literally the best character in the third movie. When Woody is leaving the daycare the first time, I nearly sobbed because he wanted to go with him. He is loyal, kind, and so underrated.

    Bullseye is a rather cute character who doesn't talk, but he helped Woody escape in Toy Story 2 from the airplane.

  9. Sarge

    Sarge is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He is the disciplined leader of the Green Army Men, a group of plastic toy soldiers. The character was voiced by R. Lee Ermey, a former U.S. Marine who often portrayed military roles in film and television.

    Sarge and the toy soldiers never failed to make me laugh.

    He needed more screen time. Maybe even a short about him.

    He's fun and cares a lot about his fellow soldiers.

  10. Squeeze Toy Aliens

    All they care about is a claw, probably because they were in a crane game. I'm not saying this because I hate them, but they are funny. Oooohh...

    I love these guys! They're so cute.

    "The claw!"

    Need I say more?

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Harmony

  12. ?

    Harmony's Mother

    13. The Contenders

  13. Al McWhiggin

    The Cheetos scene is truly art.

    He sucks. He stole Woody.

    LOL. He's above Andy.

  14. Emperor Zurg

    Zurg, also known as Emperor Zurg, is a fictional character from the Toy Story franchise. He is portrayed as the arch-enemy of Buzz Lightyear and appears in several installments, including Toy Story 2 and Lightyear. Zurg is a parody of classic science fiction villains.

    Zurg is like the cartoon version of Darth Vader.

    I am your father.

    Zurg was the best!

  15. RC

    RC is one of my favorite characters in the Toy Story film.

    He's the real hero. He helped Woody and Buzz at the end of the first film.

  16. Andy Davis

    Andy rules. I mean, he's pretty much the main character and he owns most of the aforementioned toys. He is just super awesome. P.S. I didn't know his last name was Davis.

    My BAE! I like how he made Toy Story 3 end.

    One of my targets in life is to find a husband like him.

    He knows how to treat his toys very well. Adventurous, playful, and he's a nice character.

  17. Mrs. Potato Head

    Mrs. Potato Head is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. Based on the toy of the same name, she is one of Andy's, and later Bonnie's, toys. She was voiced by Estelle Harris and is known for her nurturing yet assertive personality and her relationship with Mr. Potato Head.

    "Don't talk to any toy you don't know!"

    While she isn't that plot important, stuff like her bloopers in Toy Story 2 make her a decent character.

    "Monkey chow? What do I need monkey chow for?"

    "Well, for the monkeys of course!"

    She's the funniest.

    She is pretty funny and feisty. Not as mean as Mr. Potato Head, though.

  18. Bo Peep

    Bo Peep is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise created by Pixar. The character is voiced by Annie Potts. She appears as Woody's love interest and undergoes a significant transformation in Toy Story 4, where she becomes a more independent and adventurous character.

    I always loved Bo Peep! She's been my favorite Toy Story character ever since the original. She's very feminine, sweet, and kind. When she leaves the toys and ventures out on her own, she starts to become very adventurous and has a blast helping her friends. She proves that she is capable of doing anything.

    My favorite character since the fourth film. She is so cool.

    Her original character and design were cute, but not nearly as interesting as action girl Bo.

    I ship her and Woody, and I don't understand why she isn't higher up on this list.

  19. Lotso

    Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear, commonly known as Lotso, is the main antagonist in Toy Story 3 (2010). He takes control of Sunnyside Day Care and forces the other toys to follow his rules. Despite his cuddly appearance, he is portrayed as a ruthless and manipulative character.

    He's the most three-dimensional and complex Pixar villain ever. Having once been a favorite toy of a child who one day lost him on a field trip and bought a replacement for Lotso, he began to feel betrayed. So, he found the Sunnyside daycare and rigged the whole system so that newer toys would have to suffer in the caterpillar room with younger kids, and older toys (like him) would forever be played with in the butterfly room by the older kids.

    Man, what a complex villain, and a great one!

    I felt bad for the guy the entire movie. My heart was hurting so badly as a little kid watching him get left on the picnic blanket that I begged my parents for my own Lotso.

  20. Wheezy

    Wheezy is adorable and underrated.

  21. Barbie

    Wow. She should be way higher up than this, considering she's one of the only main female characters in the movie, aside from Bo Peep and Jessie.

    Wish she'd gotten a bigger role as a female character.

    I can't believe she would just throw me away!

  22. Sid Phillips

    Sid Phillips is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He serves as the primary antagonist in the original Toy Story film. Sid is known for his destructive behavior and experiments with toys, setting him apart as a memorable villain in the series.

    I admit, he seems pretty bad at first, but he's neutral after the first one. I think he was more misunderstood than evil. Why? It's theorized that he did what he did because he was a lonely kid with no friends, an overactive imagination, and not much of a home life. He had no way of knowing the toys were alive until they made it known when trying to save Buzz.

    He does make a huge change. He makes a brief cameo as a garbage man in Toy Story 3. Not only does he look better, but he seems like a better person and very happy. Sid may not be the best character, but I don't think he's the worst either. I think Lotso was worse than Sid.

    Sid sucks, so he should be off the list. He replaced his sister's doll's head with a pterodactyl's head.

  23. Hannah Phillips

    I feel bad for her because her evil brother replaced her doll's head with a dinosaur's head. I still love that part in the movie because of her reaction.

    Despite her brother's antics, she seems to be pretty normal.

    Sid, give my toy back.

  24. Ken

    Ken: Love your leg warmers.

    Barbie: Nice ascot.

    The best character of Toy Story 3.

  25. Molly Davis

    She looks like Molly from the Star Squad. She's a normal younger sister who likes to tease.

    Love her in Toy Story 3.

  26. Buttercup

    I hate unicorns, but he is actually a good one.

  27. Buster

    Definitely an underrated, fun, cute, sweet character!

    Underrated and adorable.

    Who could say no to a dog?

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