Toy Story Fans Are Only Now Noticing How Mean Mr. Potato Head Really Is to Woody

Rewatching Toy Story as an adult reveals something that easily slips past kids: Mr. Potato Head is genuinely mean to Woody, and it stems from clear jealousy over Woody's status as Andy's favorite toy.

I never noticed this as a little kid, but while rewatching Toy Story, I noticed how rude Mr. Potato Head is, and he is extremely jealous of Woody. It is a detail that changes how several key scenes land once you know what to look for, and it is worth revisiting for any longtime fan of the film.

Mr. Potato Head brings up Woody's favorite status at the staff meeting

In the staff meeting scene, Mr. Potato Head mentions that Woody has always been Andy's favorite toy since kindergarten, and he delivers the line with a noticeable amount of attitude. It is an early sign that his jealousy toward Woody has been simmering for a long time.

He is the first toy to insult Woody after Buzz Lightyear arrives

When Woody and the other toys meet Buzz Lightyear for the first time, Mr. Potato Head is the first one to insult Woody, saying that his pull string sounds as if a car ran over it. He does not stop there either, going on to mock Woody by saying that Andy will find him a special place in the attic, a clear dig at Woody's fading importance now that Buzz has shown up.

Mr. Potato Head immediately turns on Woody after the window incident

After Woody accidentally knocks Buzz out of the window, Mr. Potato Head is the first toy to question him about it. He says something along the lines of, "If Andy starts playing with him more, is Woody going to throw him out of the window, too?" It is a pointed accusation that shows he is quick to assume the worst about Woody's motives.

The tension continues at Sid's house and during the moving truck scene

Later in the movie, when Woody is revealed to have Buzz's arm while standing in Sid's window, it is said that he hopes Sid will pull out his soundbox. Mr. Potato Head is also among the toys who throw Woody off the moving truck when Woody goes to grab RC, capping off a pattern of hostility toward Woody that runs through much of the film.

Did you ever notice how jealous Mr. Potato Head is of Woody before rewatching Toy Story as an adult?