Whether it's the iconic Luxo ball or blinkandyou'llmissit background catches, the animation studio loves a good reference. Pixar's most creative Easter eggs, fr

Whether it's the iconic Luxo ball or blink-and-you'll-miss-it background catches, the animation studio loves a good reference.

Pixar's most creative Easter eggs, from the Pizza Planet truck to finding Nemo everywhere

Whether it's the iconic Luxo ball or blink-and-you'll-miss-it background catches, the animation studio loves a good reference.

By Kelly Connolly,

and Kevin Jacobsen

Published on August 24, 2025 07:30AM EDT

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4*VILLAGI record hidden behind Luca Paguro (voice: Jacob Tremblay) in 'Luca'. Credit:

The Pixar Theory, devised by author Jon Negroni, posits that all Pixar movies take place within the same universe. Frankly, it's hard to argue when you look at the exponentially growing list of Easter eggs hidden throughout the studio's movies that certainly suggest they all inhabit a shared world.

The clever minds at Pixar have been dropping in references to their previous films since their first feature, 1995's *Toy Story*, which included the famous yellow Luxo ball that was previously seen in their 1986 short film, *Luxo Jr*. Since then, eagle-eyed viewers have been on the lookout for other Easter eggs, from a toy clownfish teasing *Finding Nemo* (2003) in *Monsters, Inc.* (2001) to Lightyear-branded tires in *Cars* (2006).

Ahead, we look at some of Pixar's most creative Easter eggs over the years; we'd be pretty surprised if you picked up on all of them.**

Pizza around the planet

Pizza Planet truck in 'Monsters, Inc.'. Pixar

The Pizza Planet delivery truck made its debut in *Toy Story* when Woody and Buzz hitch a ride in the back seat. Since then, the truck has been parked behind a trailer in *Monsters, Inc.*; driven through Sydney in *Finding Nemo*; toured Paris in *Ratatouille* (2007); survived a scan in *WALL-E* (2008); watched Carl Fredericksen take flight in *Up* (2009); cheered on Lightning McQueen in *Cars 2* (2011); been memorialized in Scottish carvings in *Brave* (2012); and then some. To date, the Pizza Planet truck has made appearances in every Pixar film but *The Incredibles* (2004).

Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) bouncing on Luxo ball in 'Toy Story'. Pixar

Pixar's first short film, *Luxo Jr.*, tells 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.*, *Finding Nemo*, *The Incredibles*, *Up*, *Inside Out*, and the *Toy Story* franchise.

Made in Radiator Springs

Radiator Springs Drive-In Theatre in 'Cars'. Pixar

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* (2010).

Class of A113

Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) next to an A113 license plate in in 'Toy Story'. Pixar

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 *franchise, a diver's camera in *Finding Nemo*, Mr. Incredible's holding cell, *WALL-E*'s evacuation code, the carving "ACXIII" in *Brave*, a scare classroom in *Monsters University* (2013), and as a catalog number for one of Miguel's vinyl records in *Coco* (2017).

Luxo in the sky (Toy Story 2)

Luxo constellation in 'Toy Story 2'. Pixar

If eagle-eyed viewers look closely during the opening scene of *Toy Story 2* (1999), they might catch a cluster of stars in the shape of the Luxo lamp. (It's at the very top of the image above, just right of center.) Make a wish.

Geri's still got game (Toy Story 2)

Geri/the Cleaner (voice: Jonathan Harris) in 'Toy Story 2'. Pixar

Those familiar with Pixar's shorts will recognize the man who patches up Woody's arm as Geri, the subject of the Oscar-winning 1997 short *Geri's Game*. Technically, the character is credited in *Toy Story 2* as "the Cleaner," but his chess pieces are unmistakably Geri's.

A spud's life (Toy Story 2)

Mrs. Potato Head (voice: Estelle Harris) reading a book featuring 'A Bug's Life' characters in 'Toy Story 2'. Pixar

Mrs. Potato Head reads a picture book featuring the characters of *A Bug's Life* (1998), Pixar's second film. Spot Dot getting "really angry" about something in the corner.

Al's Bug Barn (Toy Story 2)

Figurines of Flik, Heimlich, and Dim with Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) in 'Toy Story 2'. Pixar

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.

Boo's collection (Monsters, Inc.)

Boo (voice: Mary Gibbs) offering a toy clownfish to Sulley (voice: John Goodman) in 'Monsters, Inc.'. Pixar

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*.

Just keep wallpapering... (Monsters, Inc.)

The Chef (voice: Jan Rabson) next to Marlin wallpaper in 'Monsters, Inc.'. Pixar

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.

To the dentist and beyond (Finding Nemo)

Buzz Lightyear in front of a toy chest in 'Finding Nemo'. Pixar

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.

An Incredible sneak peek (Finding Nemo)

A young boy reads an 'Incredibles' comic next to his mother in 'Finding Nemo'. Pixar

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.

Peek-a-Boo (Finding Nemo)

Boo's mobile hanging in the dentist's office in 'Finding Nemo'. Pixar

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.

Burning rubber (Cars)

Lightning McQueen (voice: Owen Wilson) sporting Lightyear-branded tires in 'Cars'. Pixar

Lightning McQueen gets his speed from Lightyear Tires, a shout out to Buzz Lightyear.

Come in, Star Command (Cars)

Sector 4 Gamma Quad tires in 'Cars'. Pixar

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.

The French connection (Ratatouille)

Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) in 'Ratatouille,' next to the shadow of a dog shaped like Dug from 'Up'. Pixar

*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)

Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) with Linguini (voice: Lou Romano) in his 'Incredibles' underwear in 'Ratatouille'. Pixar

Like the Clark Kent of the kitchen, Linguini sports the Incredibles' logo on his underwear.

Wall-atouill-e (WALL-E)

Remy's scooter with WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt) in 'WALL-E'. Pixar

Remy's scooter is left in the rubble that WALL-E scans.

In safe keeping (WALL-E)

Rex from 'Toy Story' and the tennis ball walker from 'Up' in 'WALL-E'. Pixar

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.

Lotso balloons (Up)

Lotso from 'Toy Story 3' among toys in 'Up'. Pixar

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.*

Pen pals (Toy Story 3)

Postcard from Carl and Ellie Fredricksen featured in 'Toy Story 3'. Pixar

Andy has a postcard from *Up*'s Carl and Ellie Fredricksen on his wall.

At the races (Toy Story 3)

Kid wearing Lightning McQueen shirt in 'Toy Story 3'. Pixar

A kid at Sunnyside Daycare wears a shirt with Lightning McQueen's number (95, itself a reference to the year of *Toy Story*'s release) and logo.

Ray of Sunnyside (Toy Story 3)

Toy version of Mr. Ray in 'Toy Story 3'. Pixar

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...

Sid's future (Toy Story 3)

An older Sid (voice: Erik von Detten) in 'Toy Story 3'. Pixar

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.

Two batteries and beyond (Toy Story 3)

Buy 'N Large-branded batteries in 'Toy Story 3'. Pixar

Buzz runs on batteries from Buy 'N Large, a major corporation in WALL-E's time.

Drive-in restaurant (Cars 2)

Gusteau's from 'Ratatouille' reimagined as Gastow's in 'Cars 2'. Pixar

Gusteau's, the restaurant from *Ratatouille*, is reimagined in the *Cars* world as Gastow's.

Scottish car clan (Cars 2)

Merida and her family reimagined as cars in 'Brave'. Pixar

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.

The monsters, the witch, and the woodcarving (Brave)

Sulley woodcarving in 'Brave'. Pixar

A Celtic rendition of *Monsters, Inc.*'s Sulley is carved into a block of wood in the witch's home in *Brave*.

Ar-long time coming (Monsters University)

Toy version of Arlo in 'Monsters University'. Pixar

A toy version of Arlo, the dinosaur from Pixar's then-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.)

Birds on a wire (Inside Out)

Birds from 'For the Birds' on a power line in 'Inside Out'.

The squawking birds from the Oscar-winning short *For the Birds* (2000) have shown up in two Pixar features, in very similar, blink-and-you'll-miss-it contexts. The first is in *Cars*, where the birds are lined up in a row on a power line that Lightning McQueen drives by. They appeared on another power line in *Inside Out* when Riley and her family are driving to San Francisco.**

Smiley Riley (Finding Dory)

Riley in 'Finding Dory'.

Granted, she's a bit hard to spot, but Riley from *Inside Out* has a cameo appearance as one of the kids at the Marine Life Institute — presumably on a class trip — in *Finding Dory*.**

References galore at the antiques store (Toy Story 4)

Margaret in the antiques store in 'Toy Story 4'. Disney/Pixar

Pixar fittingly paid tribute to their various films in and around the antiques store featured in *Toy Story 4*. Among them are a mural for P.J.'s Pop (previously seen in *A Bug's Life*), Bing Bong's wagon (from *Inside Out*), an Ernesto de la Cruz record (from *Coco*), and, of course, the iconic Luxo ball.**

4*TOWN in an Italian town (Luca)

4*VILLAGI record hidden behind Luca Paguro (voice: Jacob Tremblay) in 'Luca'.

We may not have been obsessed with *Turning Red*'s dreamy boy band, 4*TOWN, until the film's release in 2022, but we got a sneak peek in 2021's *Luca*, where a vinyl record from the band is seen among Giulia's collection. Appropriately, the band is called "4*VILLAGI" in Italy.**

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Source: "AOL Movies"

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