Buzz was nominated for AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains. One of three animated heroes appear on the list, along with Belle and Peter Pan. Unfortunately, none of them made the list. Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase "To infinity and beyond!" was also said by Flik in one of the outtakes of A Bug's Life, as well as Tim Allen's character, as a dog, in another Disney film The Shaggy Dog ( 2006). Buzz instantly fell in love with Jessie at the end of Toy Story 2. Their relationship developed more in Toy Story 3. In Toy Story 2, Buzz is first seen watching Rex play a Buzz Lightyear video game. Then he rushes over to assist Woody, who is looking for his hat, since it is the day Woody is going to Cowboy Camp with Andy (although he mispronounces "s'mores" as "schmoes"). Later, when Woody alerts the toys about a yard sale taking place outside the house, Buzz walks along the line of toys, calling out their names to ensure that all the toys are present. After a squeeze toy penguin named Wheezy is taken by Andy's mom to be sold at a yard sale, Woody whistles for Andy's dog, Buster, and Buzz uses Lenny to keep watch on Woody. Buzz's battery compartment, seen in Toy Story 3. The central pinhole is the reset button to return him to factory settings.

During the end credits, Woody reads to the toys a letter from Sunnyside, which Buzz thinks it is written by Barbie, based on the girlish handwriting, only for Jessie to pinpoint Ken's signature at the end, making the trio exchange uncertain looks. It is also shown that Bonnie has made drawing for her toys, including Buzz and others given to her from Andy. Finally, Jessie takes advantage of Buzz's Spanish personality, and the two perform a paso doble to " Hay Un Amigo En Mi", the Spanish version of the song "You've Got a Friend in Me," to amusement of Woody and the others.The use of flashes by Buzz to stun Stinky Pete in Toy Story 2 is similar to (and possibly in reference to) the use of flashes by Homer and Bart to stun malfunctioning robots in the 1994 Simpsons episode " Itchy & Scratchy Land." This was in turn a reference to Michael Crichton's movie Westworld. Star Command, I've been taken hostage by my own prisoners!" —Buzz, as he attempts to escape the toys "Unhand me, Zurg scum! The Galactic Courts will show you no mercy!" —Buzz, pinned down by the toys, as he tries to wrench himself free As Spanish Buzz Spanish Buzz: "Bitácora Espacial... Me he despertado del hiper-sueño en un planeta extraño. (Star Log... I've awakened from hyper-sleep on a strange planet.)" Buzz: "No, Woody, for the first time I am thinking clearly. You were right all along. I'm not a Space Ranger. I'm just a toy, a stupid little insignificant toy." Woody: "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, Buzz. Okay, here's your list of things to do while I'm gone. Batteries need to be changed. Toys at the bottom of the chest need to be rotated. Oh, and make sure everyone attends Mr Spell's seminar on what to do if you or part of you is swallowed. Okay? Okay. Good, okay." Woody: "Besides, when all it ends, I'll have old Buzz Lightyear to keep me company for infinity and beyond." —Buzz and Woody, last dialogue in Toy Story 2, as they accept the fact that Andy will eventually grow up

Buzz #2: "Has your mind been melded? You could have killed me, Space Ranger! Or should I say traitor ?" (turns on laser that beams onto Buzz's forehead) Buzz: "Come on, Sheriff. There's a kid over in that house who needs us. Now let's get you out of this thing." However, Woody believes that the toys deserve a better place than the attic, so while Andy is saying farewell to Molly and Buster (who is now an old dog), he writes a note telling Andy to donate the toys to Bonnie's house. Andy reads the note, decides to donate the toys, and drives over to Bonnie's house, where he gives his toys, including Buzz, to Bonnie Anderson and spends the last playtime with his toys before departing for college. After Andy leaves, Buzz comforts Woody, who is given to Bonnie as well, as they accept that their life with Andy is complete, and Woody introduces Buzz to Bonnie's toys.Woody: "Oh, yeah? Well, good riddance, ya loony!" —Buzz and Woody at the Dinoco Gas Station Woody: “Buzz! Hey, Buzz! Are you okay?” What attracted Tim Allen to the role of Buzz Lightyear, was before him they offered the role to his biggest influence in his career, Chevy Chase, who turned it down. [1] Woody: "What am I talking about? Woody's Roundup! Oh, it's this great old TV show, and I was the star. (shows himself on TV to Buzz) See, now, look! Look! Look at me! See? That's me!" Additionally, Toy Story 3 and 4 feature a significant audio filter over the clips, emulating the sound technology of the 1990's action figures, so that Buzz now sounds very similar to the audio quality of the original action figure.

In Toy Story 2, when Utility Belt Buzz was putting Andy's Buzz on the shelf, the string that was tied on Buzz's left hand in the cardboard box was missing. Rex: "But look at my little arms! I can't press the fire button and jump at the same time!" —Rex and Buzz, after Rex loses the video game The quality of Buzz's voice box deteriorated within the ten years between Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, and is now on par with Woody's sound quality (and the original Thinkway Buzz Lightyear action figure). Buzz: "I'd better take a look anyway. (sees a Combat Carl) Why is that soldier strapped to an explosive device?" Spanish Buzz: "Estoy rodeado por criaturas extrañas, y desconozco sus intenciones. (I'm surrounded by alien creatures of unknown intent.) ¿Quién anda ahí? (Who goes there?) ¿Amigo? ¿O enemigo? (Friend? Or foe?)"

All Piston Cup racers' tires in Cars are branded as "Lightyear," both a reference to Buzz Lightyear and a play on the name Goodyear (an actual tire manufacturer). Spanish Buzz: "Me debo de haber estrellado y se me ha borrado la memoria. (I must have crash landed and had my memory erased.) ¿Han visto mi nave espacial? (Anyone seen my spaceship?)" The large red button on Buzz's right arm activates his laser. The LED in his forearm blinks and a looping sound effect plays as long as the button is depressed. There appears to be at least four different sound effects heard in the movies, possibly indicating different targeting modes. Buzz: "No, he didn't! We have a friend in need, and we will not rest until he's safe in Andy's room! Now let's move out!" —Buzz Lightyear, as he reprimands the toys for requesting a rest Buzz: "Is everyone present and accounted for?"