29 of Pixar's Most Creative Easter Eggs
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Pizza Around the Planet
The Pizza Planet delivery truck made its debut in Toy Story — Pixar’s first theatrical film — when Woody and Buzz hitched a ride in the back seat. Since then, the truck has driven through Finding Nemo’s Sydney, toured Ratatouille’s Paris, cheered on Lightning McQueen in Cars, parked behind a trailer in Monsters, Inc. (above), survived a scan from WALL-E, watched Carl Fredericksen take flight in Up, been memorialized in Brave’s Scottish carvings, and then some. To date, the Pizza Planet truck has made appearances in every Pixar film but The Incredibles.
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De-Luxo
Pixar’s first short film, “Luxo, Jr.,” told the story of the bouncing lamp that would become the “I” in the company’s logo — but the lamp’s favorite toy has found its own kind of fame. The yellow ball, with its signature blue stripe and red star, can be spotted among other toys in movies like Monsters, Inc., Up, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and the Toy Story franchise (above).
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Made in Radiator Springs
The Radiator Springs Drive-In Theatre in Cars is always showing classics like Toy Car Story or The Incredimobiles — which may be what inspires vehicles from Radiator Springs to make appearances in other Pixar movies. Luigi drives by the dentist’s office in Finding Nemo, Doc Hudson pays witness to The Incredibles’ final battle, and Snotrod and Finn McMissile adorn Andy’s wall in Toy Story 3.
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Class of A113
In honor of a graphic design and character animation classroom at California Institute of the Arts, where Pixar filmmakers and animators like Brad Bird and John Lasseter got their start, “A113” is worked into every Pixar movie. Sightings include license plates like Andy's mom's in the Toy Story francise (above), a diver’s camera in Finding Nemo, Mr. Incredible’s holding cell, WALL-E’s evacuation code, a scare classroom in Monsters University, and the carving “ACXIII” in Brave.
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Luxo in the Sky (Toy Story 2)
If eagle-eyed viewers look closely during the opening scene of Toy Story 2, they might catch a cluster of stars in the shape of the Luxo lamp. Make a wish.
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Geri's Still Got Game (Toy Story 2)
Those familiar with Pixar’s shorts will recognize the man who patches up Woody’s arm as Geri, the subject of the 1997 short “Geri’s Game.”
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A Spud's Life (Toy Story 2)
Mrs. Potato Head reads a picture book featuring the characters of A Bug’s Life, Pixar’s second film. Spot Dot getting “really angry” about something in the corner.
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Al's Bug Barn (Toy Story 2)
During the toy’s attempt to rescue Woody from Al’s Toy Barn, Buzz runs by an aisle of A Bug’s Life figurines, including Flik, Heimlich, and Dim.
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Boo's Collection (Monsters, Inc.)
When Sulley takes Boo back to her bedroom, she thanks him with a Luxo ball, Jessie from Toy Story 2, and a stuffed clownfish — a hint at the upcoming Finding Nemo.
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Just Keep Wallpapering (Monsters, Inc.)
A Finding Nemo tease also works its way into the décor at Harryhausen’s restaurant (named for stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen). Marlin can be spotted on the wallpaper.
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To the Dentist and Beyond (Finding Nemo)
As Nemo frantically looks around the waiting room after he arrives in the fish tank, he spies Buzz Lightyear in front of the toy chest in the corner.
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An Incredible Sneak Peek (Finding Nemo)
When Nigel wreaks havoc in the dentist’s room, a young boy with a Mr. Incredible comic (a preview of the upcoming The Incredibles) nervously witnesses the commotion from the waiting room.
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Peek-a-Boo (Finding Nemo)
Boo’s mobile hangs above the dentist’s chair, and one of her drawings can be seen on a cabinet when Nigel flies in to rescue Nemo.
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Burning Rubber (Cars)
Lightning McQueen gets his speed from Lightyear Tires, a shout out to Buzz Lightyear.
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Come in, Star Command (Cars)
One car making a pit stop in the race is using Sector 4 Gamma Quad tires, a reference to the location where Buzz Lightyear is stationed as a space ranger.
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The French Connection (Ratatouille)
Up’s Dug is a world traveler even before he boards Carl’s flying house; Remy sees the dog’s shadow in Paris.
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Chefs are Super (Ratatouille)
Like the Clark Kent of the kitchen, Linguini sports the Incredibles' logo on his underwear.
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Wall-atouill-e (WALL-E)
Remy’s scooter is left in the rubble that WALL-E scans.
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In Safe Keeping (WALL-E)
WALL-E’s collection includes Rex from Toy Story and Carl’s tennis ball walker from Up, what would be the next release on Pixar’s schedule.
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Lots-o'-Balloons (Up)
The little girl who watches Carl’s house take off has (along with a Luxo ball) a stuffed Lotso, villain of the then-upcoming Toy Story 3.
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Pen Pals (Toy Story 3)
Andy has a postcard from Up’s Carl and Ellie Fredericksen on his wall.
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At the Races (Toy Story 3)
A kid at Sunnyside Daycare wears a shirt with Lightning McQueen’s number (95, a reference to the year of Toy Story’s release) and logo.
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Ray of Sunnyside (Toy Story 3)
A toy version of Nemo’s teacher, Mr. Ray, can be seen on a shelf at the daycare. We wonder where his class has gone…
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Sid's Future (Toy Story 3)
Sid Phillips, the neighbor who terrorized Andy’s toys in Toy Story, makes a cameo in the film series’ third installment as a garbage man — still wearing the same skull shirt and still voiced by Erik von Detten.
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Two Batteries and Beyond (Toy Story 3)
Buzz runs on batteries from Buy ‘N Large, a major corporation in WALL-E’s time.
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Drive-In Restaurant (Cars 2)
Gusteau’s, the restaurant from Ratatouille, is reimagined in the Cars world as Gastow’s.
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Scottish Car Clan (Cars 2)
A tavern features a painting of Brave’s Merida, along with the rest of her family, in car form. At the time, the film was the next Pixar feature to be released.
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The Monsters, the Witch, and the Woodcarving (Brave)
A Celtic rendition of Monsters, Inc.’s Sulley is carved into a block of wood in the witch’s home.
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Ar-long Time Coming (Monsters University)
A toy version of Arlo, the dinosaur from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur, can be seen on the floor of a scare simulator at Monsters U. (As a bonus, the roadside dinosaur that Riley remembers stopping to see in Inside Out also bears Arlo’s likeness.)