For nearly three decades, Pixar fans have debated a central question about Woody and Buzz, and Buzz Lightyear, the flashy new space ranger voiced by Tim Allen. The film pitted these two against each other in a compelling story of jealousy, friendship, and self-discovery.

While the Toy Story franchise has always been an ensemble effort featuring a wide array of lovable characters throughout its first three films, Woody and Buzz were the clear leads. Focus always shifted between those two fish-out-of-water rivals-turned-friends, giving them each nearly equal weight in the Toy Story narrative.

In Toy Story 1, 2 & 3, It's Not Clear Whether Woody Or Buzz Is The Real Main Character

It Mostly Depends On Your Personal Perspective

A custom image of Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story
Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

While Woody is undeniably central to the first film’s arc — navigating his role as Andy's favorite toy and coming to with Buzz's arrival — Buzz dominates much of the conflict as well. His growth from believing himself to be a real space ranger to understanding his role as a toy is equally significant.

This balance continued in Toy Story 2, where Woody faced the temptation of staying with the Roundup Gang, while Buzz spearheaded the mission to rescue him. Both characters played pivotal roles, each complementing the other in driving the film forward. Even in Toy Story 3, while Woody led the toys to safety, Buzz still had strong moments, such as his comedic turn as Spanish Buzz, maintaining his presence as a co-lead.

This duality worked because Woody and Buzz represent two halves of the heart of Toy Story. Woody brings sentimentality, loyalty, and leadership, while Buzz symbolizes imagination, innovation, and adventure. Fans of the franchise naturally gravitate toward one or the other, keeping the debate alive over who truly carried the series.

Toy Story 4 Clearly Made Woody The Lead Protagonist Over Buzz Lightyear

A Great Film – But Buzz Definitely Deserved Better

Toy Story Woody kneeling on the ground looking scared

When Toy Story 4 arrived in 2019, the franchise took a deliberate shift, decisively making Woody the central focus. While Buzz still played a role, his character was relegated to ing status, and the narrative squarely revolved around Woody's existential crisis. The film follows Woody trying to find a new purpose now that Bonny, his new owner, doesn’t share the same attachment to him that Andy did. His chance meeting with Bo Peep reignites questions about his duty as a toy and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

The decision to sideline Buzz to focus more on Woody marked a fundamental narrative shift for the Toy Story franchise. Buzz’s contributions in Toy Story 4 were largely secondary and comedic. While there were certainly fun moments, like his reliance on his “inner voice” (a play on pushing his own buttons for advice), they lacked the emotional depth the character showed in earlier films. Fans who adored Buzz Lightyear’s heroics and gravitas from the earlier films couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed by his reduced role.

Custom Image of Woody looking worried and other Toy Story imagery
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On the flip side, Woody’s arc reached a satisfying, albeit divisive, conclusion. Forging his path at the end of the film by choosing to stay with Bo Peep and live life for himself, Woody’s farewell felt like the natural culmination of his story. It left audiences bittersweet but also raised questions about whether a Toy Story film could truly succeed with just one of its iconic leads driving the story.

Unfortunately, Toy Story 4 didn’t fully tap into Buzz’s potential. It felt as though he was relegated to the sidelines for the sake of sharpening Woody’s spotlight. A character with the depth, history, and popularity of Buzz Lightyear deserves more than just comic relief — it’s time for Pixar to ensure both Toy Story characters shine.

Toy Story 5 Should Return To Woody & Buzz Being Co-Leads

The Heart of Toy Story Lies in Woody and Buzz Together

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

As Pixar moves forward with Toy Story 5, restoring the balance between Woody and Buzz is essential. The franchise has thrived on the chemistry and dual arcs of these two beloved characters, and putting them back on equal footing will likely deliver the most satisfying narrative for fans.

A return to Woody and Buzz co-leadership could also allow the franchise to explore fresh dynamics. For instance, Woody’s decision to leave the toys in Toy Story 4 creates a prime opportunity to show his and Buzz’s friendship evolving in new and unexpected ways. Retaining their close bond despite being worlds apart or a full-blown reunion between Woody and Buzz could easily be the heart of the next movie. There’s so much rich material to draw from that would captivate audiences.

A young Mike Wazowski stares at his name badge in delight while standing on the quad in Monsters University
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By restoring Woody and Buzz as co-leads, Pixar can recapture the magic that made audiences fall in love with Toy Story in the first place. After all, there’s no Buzz without Woody, and no Woody without Buzz—and together, they are what make Toy Story universally beloved.