Summary

  • The Toy Story franchise is beloved by fans, evident in the memorable quotes that have resonated with audiences.
  • The movies explore deep themes such as the relationship between toys and their owners, friendship, and the passage of time.
  • Toy Story 5 is anticipated to continue the tradition of delivering great lines and furthering the beloved franchise's legacy.

Toy Story helped to launch Pixar as a titan of the animation world, and the best Toy Story quotes throughout the franchise show the humor and heart of these movies. The story of Woody, Buzz, and the other toys in Andy's room has captured the hearts of fans, delivering four movies to date with the unexpected announcement of Toy Story 5 proves that Pixar is reluctant to let this franchise go. It's not surprising they want more given the Toy Story quotes that have stayed with fans and made these movies so beloved.

The simple premise of exploring what toys do when humans are not around is a fun jumping-off point. However, the movies have gone far beyond by looking at the enemies-to-friends relationship between Woody and Buzz, dealing with a child outgrowing their toys, and the purpose these toys have in the world. The best Toy Story quotes reflect all these aspects of the movies, leaving audiences laughing and crying along the way. The upcoming Toy Story 5 will only add to these great franchise lines.

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25 "So Play Nice."

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Woody speaks directly to Sid Phillips

The entire Toy Story franchise has Woody and the others going to great lengths to hide the fact that they are alive. However, they do break that rule one special time to teach the adolescent villain Sid a lesson. Many fans have pointed out that Sid didn't really do anything wrong when he destroyed his toys as they were just plastic objects to him. That doesn't stop this moment from being any more satisfying as Sid's mistreated toys suddenly rise from the grave with Woody giving this final warning that seems to drive the point home.

24 "Ride Like The Wind Bullseye."

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Bullseye from Toy Story smiling

Toy Story 2 introduced Woody's Roundup, the Western show where Toy Story's Woody originated from. Also introduced is his Roundup gang which includes the lovable and loyal horse named Bullseye. Woody is filled with pride and wonder seeing himself in action on the beloved children's series and in a charming moment at the end, he adopts his catchphrase from the series, "Ride like the wind, Bullseye" as he and his trusty horse charge into action. Though the popularity of Woody's Roundup ended, Woody gets to be that cowboy hero in his own way.

23 "The Claw!"

Aliens (Jeff Pidgeon)

Buzz Lightyear standing over alien toys in Toy Story

The alien toys are introduced in the first Toy Story movie as a franchise cult-like group of prizes inside the claw machine at Pizza Planet. The way the toys look at the claw as some higher power who selects the chosen ones is a hilarious bit of world-building in this universe. The way the aliens exclaim this in unison makes it even funnier. However, the gag gets a wonderful callback later in the franchise as it is the aliens who save Woody and the others from their fiery fate in Toy Story 3 with a crane, proudly declaring "The Claw!" as the save the day.

22 "Where's Your Kid Now, Sheriff!"

Lotso (Ned Beatty)

Lotso looking angry outside Sunnyside Daycare in Toy Story 3

There are some great Toy Story villains throughout the franchise, but the most detestable is easily Lotso, the cuddly teddy bear who is also a cruel and vindicative antagonist. After getting replaced by his former kid, Lotso doesn't want anyone to be happy with their kid. He ends up at the trash dump with Woody and the others, and despite proving how evil he is already, Woody saves his life. It seems like Lotso could be heading for redemption as he has the opportunity to save the others, but instead mocks Woody and leaves them to be destroyed. It is a shockingly dark moment that cemented him as a great Disney villain.

21 "And That Box Gets Taken Away."

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Bo tries to help Woody and Buzz save a lost toy in Toy Story 4.

The relationship between Woody and Bo Peep was a fun little detail in the other movies, but it is made much more significant in Toy Story 4. The opening scene of the film shows just how important Bo Peep was to Woody as there is a flashback to the day she was given away. As Woody comes out to talk to her as she waits in the box to be taken away, she suggests he get in the box as well. For a moment, Woody considers joining her and leaving Andy. It is a heartbreaking moment as his responsibilities to Andy have to come before his love for her.

20 "You're My Favorite Deputy."

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Andy and Woody in Toy Story

Pull on Woody's string, and a variety of phrases will be shouted out by the toy. One Toy Story quote that has been repeated across the franchise is "You're my favorite deputy." It's a simple phrase that would have been chosen by the toy cowboy manufacturer. Within the context of the story, it has a much larger meaning, though. It's a saying that includes the child in Woody's world and allows them to feel loved. It initially created the bond between Woody and Andy, before Bonnie learned that she was the new deputy in town.

19 "I Can't Stop Andy From Growing Up, But I Wouldn't Miss It For The World."

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Andy, looking at Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 3

Andy's appearance changes throughout the Toy Story movies and his feelings toward his toys also evolved over time. Nothing resonated more than the young adult Andy going off to college and saying goodbye to his friends — the toys that spent so much time with him. Woody is very concerned with the changes happening in Toy Story 3, but he makes a point of saying "I can't stop Andy from growing up, but I wouldn't miss it for the world." It's a poignant moment that paints this team much like a family.

18 "I Don't Believe That Man's Ever Been To Medical School."

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

A scared Sid in Toy Story

Sid was the main antagonist of the original Toy Story. He was a terrifying creation of Pixar, who tortured and destroyed toys as a hobby. Woody and Buzz were trapped in his house, awaiting their dark fate so a moment of levity was needed from the script to add some humor to the situation. After watching Sid's disturbing experiments Buzz remarks that "I don't believe that man's ever been to medical school." It's a hilarious moment that cuts through some of the tension, although the reality of the situation effectively sets in after this Toy Story quote.

17 "It Was Cold And Dark. Nothing But Sand And A Couple Of Lincoln Logs."

Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles)

Mr. Potato Head looking skeptical in Toy Story 2

Toy Story 3 saw the gang venture to Sunnyside Daycare Center where they quickly learned that playtime wasn't always fun. Some of the younger kids simply didn't know how to look after the toys properly and Mr. Potato realized the horror of the situation in a funny moment. After disappearing for some time Mr. Potato Head reveals that he got left behind in the sandpit. He describes his harrowing experience as being "cold and dark. Nothing but sand and a couple of Lincoln logs." Of course, those paying attention will know that those probably weren't Lincoln logs.

16 "You Have Saved Our Lives. We Are Eternally Grateful."

Aliens (Jeff Pidgeon)

Aliens in the claw machine in Toy Story

Some of the most memorable side characters in the Toy Story movies are the space aliens. Introduced in the first movie as toys in the crane machine at Pizza Planet, they reappear in Toy Story 2 when Mr. Potato Head saves their lives. Their gratitude spoken in unison to their savior is funny enough as it shows that the aliens are as delusional as Buzz was in the first movie but the fact that they continue repeating their thanks over and over adds to the hilarity. However, the joke is made even funnier in Toy Story 3, set years later, when they are still thanking Potato Head.

15 “She’ll Be Okay.”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

Woody And Bo Peep staring lovingly at each other in Toy Story 4

The final goodbye between Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 4 is a really beautiful moment. Woody is about to leave Bo Peep behind and join the rest of Bonnie’s toys on the RV when Buzz tells him, “She’ll be okay.” For a second, both Woody and the audience think that Buzz is talking about Bo Peep, but then Buzz adds, “Bonnie will be okay.” He can see that Woody’s place is with Bo, and Bonnie will be fine without him, so he encourages his old friend to follow his heart. Toy Story 4 is a love story between Woody and Bo Peep in many ways and Buzz allows them to have their happy ending.

14 “I’m Trash!”

Forky (Tony Hale)

Forky Toy Story 4

The existential crisis faced by the incredibly quotable Forky in Toy Story 4 is one of the loftiest and most philosophical storylines from the franchise. When Bonnie glues googly eyes and pipe-cleaner arms to a spork and calls him “Forky,” he gains sentience as a toy. However, he’s not supposed to be sentient. He’s not supposed to have thoughts. And that alone is enough to terrify him, as he comes to terms with his own existence and makes sense of being more than just a piece of trash, giving deeper meaning to the Toy Story quote.

13 “So Long, Partner.”

Woody (Tom Hanks)

Woody and Buzz say goodbye in Toy Story 4

While Toy Story 4 had a story worth telling and concluded in a really poignant way, it didn’t quite beat the bittersweet emotion of Toy Story 3’s ending. As Andy leaves his toys with Bonnie and drives off to start his college education, Woody watches his kid’s car disappear over the horizon and says, “So long, partner.” It’s a really heartfelt moment that wrapped up the Toy Story saga (seemingly) in the perfect way. Of course, with news of Toy Story 5, it seems this was not the end after all.

12 “Let’s Caboom!”

Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves)

Duke Caboom sitting on a motorcycle in Toy Story 4

Arguably the most memorable new character added to the Toy Story ensemble in last year’s fourth installment — except for maybe Forky — is Duke Caboom. He was voiced by Keanu Reeves, who actually contributed many ideas to the Toy Story character’s personality. He’s an Evel Knievel-type daredevil toy on a stunt motorcycle who’s filled with remorse as he’s unable to perform the stunts that his commercials promised he could do. By the end of the movie, he proves himself by pulling off an amazing jump to save the day.

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11 “He’s Not Lost. Not Anymore.”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

Woody and Buzz looking off in the distance in Toy Story 4.

When Woody leaves the group to stay with Bo Peep at the fairground, Buzz breaks the news to the rest of the gang. Rex asks if this means that Woody is a lost toy — which the sheriff thought would be the worst thing in the world back in the first movie — and Buzz says, on a more symbolic front, “He’s not lost. Not anymore.” It suggests a finality to Woody's arc in the franchise, allowing him to find his own purpose in life outside of just being a toy and finding something he always wanted.

10 “You Are A Sad, Strange Little Man, And You Have My Pity.”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

Woody yelling at Buzz in Toy Story.

As nice as it is to see Woody and Buzz eventually become friends, some of the best moments in the first movie are when they are arguing. When Woody becomes “a lost toy” and is stranded at the gas station with Buzz, he panics. It is only made worse when Buzz continues on with his space ranger nonsense. After Woody completely loses it on him, Buzz maintains his calm and dignified persona while delivering one of the most biting insults in movie history.

9 “He Ain’t The Sharpest Knife In The Place Where They Keep The Knives.”

Chunk (Jack Angel)

Ken plays poker with toys in Toy Story

Toy Story 3 introduces a lot of new toys at Sunnyside Daycare Center, most of whom see Andy's toys as “toddler fodder.” This includes the hulky toy Chunk who attempts to insult Buzz's intelligence, delivering this Toy Story quote, showing his own ignorance. To be fair to him, he is a toy. He doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, taking knives in and out of drawers, so how can he be expected to know where knives are kept?

8 “This Isn’t Flying. This Is Falling With Style!”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

Buzz carries Woody while flying in Toy Story

When Buzz managed to fly around Andy’s bedroom, Woody shrugged it off as “falling with style.” Later, when they’re best friends and they’re desperately pursuing the moving van, Buzz owns the “falling with style” thing. He’s realized he’s just a toy, and he can’t really fly. However, the fact that he can glide through the air after being shot into the sky strapped to a rocket reignites his Space Ranger-spark — and gives Woody his own sense of wonder — which helps to set the stage for the rest of the series.

7 “Excuse Me, I Think The Word You’re Searching For Is ‘Space Ranger.’”

Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)

Woody laughs at Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story

While the fact that Buzz freezes despite thinking he isn't a toy still doesn't make much sense, Buzz's insistence that he is a space ranger makes for some of the best moments in the first movie. In the first Toy Story movie, when all the other toys are gushing over Buzz, Woody decides to reassert his position in the hierarchy of Andy's room by reminding Buzz that he's simply another toy. The way Buzz confidently corrects him just makes Woody more annoyed with him hilariously responding, “The word I’m searching for, I can’t say, because there’s pre-school toys present.”

6 “The Thing That Makes Woody Special Is That He’ll Never Give Up On You.”

Andy (John Morris)

Andy in his red cowboy hat with Woody on his shoulder in Toy Story

At the end of Toy Story 3, Andy gives all his toys to Bonnie, passing the colorful cast of characters on from one generation to the next. First, he shows her Woody and, in a few short words, sums up everything that’s great about the character. Even though Andy is moving on with his life and doesn't play with Woody like he used to, he is still able to take a moment to reflect on how much he means to him. It's a Toy Story quote that perhaps resonates the most with audiences.