Top 10 Easter Eggs Connecting Disney & Pixar Movies
#10: The Bootleg DVDs “Zootopia” (2016)
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Remember that scene where Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde confront Zootopia’s notorious bootlegger? Have you ever paused to take a closer look at the merch he’s pushing? Well, you might just notice some familiar titles. His collection riffs on Disney classics like “Tangled,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6,” and “Moana.” There’s also a reference to the later canceled “Gigantic” and a nod to the highly anticipated future release, “Frozen 2.” Incidentally, even the Duke’s name is a joke calling back to the first Frozen movie. Both characters are actually voiced by Alan Tudyk, which might be another connection. Either way, we’d love to see more of Weaselton’s merchandise. Maybe he’s got a “Peter Pan-da,” a “Coco-bra,” a “Moo-lan,” or maybe an “Aladdin-go” stored out back.
#9: Wanted: Hans of the Southern Isles “Big Hero 6” (2014)
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In one of Disney’s greatest plot twists, we learn why you probably shouldn’t marry someone you’ve just met. At the end of “Frozen,” Hans is handed over to his brothers, and based on a brief appearance in “Frozen Fever,” life’s become a big ol’ pile of… However, it seems that even shoveling horse manure couldn’t steer this heinous prince away from a life of crime. While “Big Hero 6’s” Hiro reports the mysterious Kabuki mask-wearing man to the police, we can see a “Wanted” poster pinned to the wall in the back. Extraordinarily, “Frozen” is likely to have taken place around the mid-19th century, whereas “Big Hero 6” is estimated to be set around 2032. That’s a long time to be on the run, don’t you think?
#8: Have We Met This Witch Before? “Brave” (2012) & “Monsters, Inc.” (2001)
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According to Jon Negroni, the mastermind behind the Pixar universe theory, we’ve met the witch from “Brave” before. He theorized that she’s, in fact, Boo from “Monsters, Inc.” As she grew up, Boo, whose actual name is Mary, was so determined to reunite with Sulley that she learned to use magic and created time-travelling doors in the hopes of finding him. Seems feasible enough, right? However, this is even more compelling when you spot a figure resembling her beloved monster carved into a bit of wood in the witch’s shop. A wooden Pizza Planet truck can also be seen–the likes of which wouldn’t even have existed yet! But it would totally make sense for Boo to keep an image of her childhood friend nearby while she searches for the real deal.
#7: Genie’s Lamp Travels Through Time & Space Various
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Genie's lamp is arguably one of Disney's most recognizable motifs. However, in how many other films have you spotted it? Yes, the magical lamp has made its fair share of cameos. You can see it fly past during the song "Dig a Little Deeper" from "The Princess and the Frog." It also sits on a shelf in the Mystic Springs Oasis reception office in "Zootopia" and can be spotted among Tamatoa's treasures in "Moana." In "Ralph Breaks the Internet," it's being auctioned on eBay, and Jasmine uses it as a weapon when the Princesses first meet Vanellope. Well, Genie did want to see the world, and his "itty bitty living space" seems ideal for packing light.
#6: The Chinese Takeout Box Various
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Someone at Pixar seemingly had a hankering for Chinese food when they drew up this brilliant Easter egg. The takeout container was first spotted during the circus act in “A Bug’s Life.” It was next seen in a Pizza Planet truck in “Toy Story 2” and later in Linguini’s fridge in “Ratatouille.” It’s also in “Monsters, Inc.” but with a slightly different design. You’ll also notice it in “Inside Out,” “Incredibles 2,” and “Soul.” It even makes an appearance in the 2020 Short “Lamp Life.” We can only assume much Chinese takeout has been consumed by Pixar staff over the years. But, maybe some of your best ideas happen when you’re hungry!
#5: Dropping Hints About Upcoming Pixar Films
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Pixar has an ingenious tradition of including sly nods to future releases in their movies. Typically a film will contain a hidden detail to its successive animation. Some notable examples include one of the dissin’ flies from “A Bug’s Life” sticking to Buzz’s helmet in “Toy Story” and Luigi from “Cars” driving by in “Finding Nemo.” There's also a “Lotso” teddy bear in “Up” and a Buzz Lightyear sticker on Miriam’s skateboard in “Turning Red.” Another Easter egg you might not have noticed involves everyone’s favorite Canadian stuntman toy, Duke Caboom’s. Sharp-eyed viewers will be able to spot his clever cameo in “Incredibles 2.” Yes, we Can-ada advise rewatching every Pixar film to find these brilliant references.
#4: Belle Wanders Through Paris “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Bored and discontent with her quiet village, Belle dreams of finding something more. Well, we guess she had Paris in mind because that’s where we next see her. As Quasimodo sings “Out There,” the camera pans down to the bustling Parisian streets, you can just spot Belle exiting the frame with her head buried in a book. You can also look out for cameos from Magic Carpet and a warthog we really hope isn’t Pumbaa. Anyway, you might be wondering how a character from 18th century France wrangled her way into 1482 Paris? Well, apparently her inclusion started out as an inside joke at the storyboarding stage. And ultimately, they shared it with the rest of us.
#3: Genie’s Mouse-Tastic Transformations The “Aladdin” Franchise (1992-96)
Thanks to Robin Williams’ incomparable comedic timing and aptitude for impressions, the “Aladdin” movies are brimming with pop culture references, many of them from within the House of Mouse. In the original film, we see Genie transform into Pinocchio and conjure up Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid.” Then, in the third movie, “King of Thieves,” he takes on the form of Pocahontas, Tinker Bell, and Pumbaa. Even the William-less “Return of Jafar” has Genie-morphed cameos including Jiminy Cricket, Ariel, and even Aladdin himself! There are more Disney nods than we could count, not even including the spin-off TV series. We challenge you to rewatch the films and see just how many Disney-themed Easter eggs you can find.
#2: Rapunzel & Flynn at Elsa’s Coronation “Frozen” (2013)
Some eagle-eyed “Frozen” fans spotted a couple of familiar faces–or rather, backs–among the crowd entering the castle gates. This caused many to theorize that perhaps these princesses were cousins, and that Elsa and Anna’s parents were headed to Rapunzel and Flynn’s wedding when they got caught in the storm. The latter half of the theory was actually later confirmed by the film’s co-writer and director, Jennifer Lee. There’s definitely a familial likeness and, with one family speculatively based in Germany and the other in Norway, they’d need a pretty good reason to make that journey. Incidentally, Chris Buck, another “Frozen” co-writer, has said that the royal couple actually survived the shipwreck. Not only that–they would have also gone on to birth none other than Tarzan. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Bomb Voyage’s New Performance Space, “Ratatouille” (2007) He Can Be Seen in the Streets Around Notre Dame as Colette & Linguini Come Skating By The Land of the Dead Residents Are “Incredibles” Fans, “Coco” (2017) Did You Spot the Poster? The “Incredibles’” Legacy Reaches Sydney, Australia, “Finding Nemo” (2003) Check Out the Front of that Magazine the Kid in the Dentist’s Office Is Reading Nani’s Mulan Poster, “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) Is Nani a Fan of the Film, or Is Mulan Her Real-Life Role Model?
#1: Some Special Guests Visit Atlantica “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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Anyone who’s anyone turned up to watch King Triton’s daughters put on a show. Even Disney’s biggest VIPs snuck their way into the crowd. If you spotted them, we applaud you. If not, let us point them out. As King Triton makes his grand entrance, you can see Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck in the audience. Which begs the question, how are they breathing underwater? Anyway, they’re not the only House of Mouse characters to appear in “The Little Mermaid.” The King and Grand Duke from “Cinderella” can also be seen as wedding guests. Still, there’s no greater honor than Mickey’s presence in a film. After all, as Walt Disney once said, “It all started with a mouse.”
