Pixar's most creative Easter eggs, from the Pizza Planet truck to finding Nemo everywhere Kelly Connolly, Danielle Zhu, Kevin JacobsenAugust 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM Disney/Pixar 4VILLAGI record hidden behind Luca Paguro (voice: Jacob Tremblay) in 'Luca' The Pixar Theory, devised by author Jon Negroni, p...
- - Pixar's most creative Easter eggs, from the Pizza Planet truck to finding Nemo everywhere
Kelly Connolly, Danielle Zhu, Kevin JacobsenAugust 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Disney/Pixar
4*VILLAGI record hidden behind Luca Paguro (voice: Jacob Tremblay) in 'Luca'
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
Pixar Pizza Planet truck in 'Monsters, Inc.'
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).
De-Luxo
Pixar Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) bouncing on Luxo ball in 'Toy Story'
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
Pixar Radiator Springs Drive-In Theatre in 'Cars'
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
Pixar Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) next to an A113 license plate in in 'Toy Story'
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)
Pixar Luxo constellation in 'Toy Story 2'
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)
Pixar Geri/the Cleaner (voice: Jonathan Harris) in '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 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)
Pixar Mrs. Potato Head (voice: Estelle Harris) reading a book featuring 'A Bug's Life' characters in 'Toy Story 2'
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)
Pixar Figurines of Flik, Heimlich, and Dim with Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) in '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.
Boo's collection (Monsters, Inc.)
Pixar Boo (voice: Mary Gibbs) offering a toy clownfish to Sulley (voice: John Goodman) in '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.
Just keep wallpapering... (Monsters, Inc.)
Pixar The Chef (voice: Jan Rabson) next to Marlin wallpaper in '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.
To the dentist and beyond (Finding Nemo)
Pixar Buzz Lightyear in front of a toy chest in '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.
An Incredible sneak peek (Finding Nemo)
Pixar A young boy reads an 'Incredibles' comic next to his mother in '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.
Peek-a-Boo (Finding Nemo)
Pixar Boo's mobile hanging in the dentist's office in '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.
Burning rubber (Cars)
Pixar Lightning McQueen (voice: Owen Wilson) sporting Lightyear-branded tires in 'Cars'
Lightning McQueen gets his speed from Lightyear Tires, a shout out to Buzz Lightyear.
Come in, Star Command (Cars)
Pixar Sector 4 Gamma Quad tires in '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.
The French connection (Ratatouille)
Pixar Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) in 'Ratatouille,' next to the shadow of a dog shaped like Dug from 'Up'
Up's Dug is a world traveler even before he boards Carl's flying house; Remy sees the dog's shadow in Paris.
Chefs are super (Ratatouille)
Pixar Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) with Linguini (voice: Lou Romano) in his 'Incredibles' underwear in 'Ratatouille'
Like the Clark Kent of the kitchen, Linguini sports the Incredibles' logo on his underwear.
Wall-atouill-e (WALL-E)
Pixar Remy's scooter with WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt) in 'WALL-E'
Remy's scooter is left in the rubble that WALL-E scans.
In safe keeping (WALL-E)
Pixar Rex from 'Toy Story' and the tennis ball walker from 'Up' in '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.
Lotso balloons (Up)
Pixar Lotso from 'Toy Story 3' among toys in '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.
Pen pals (Toy Story 3)
Pixar Postcard from Carl and Ellie Fredricksen featured in 'Toy Story 3'
Andy has a postcard from Up's Carl and Ellie Fredricksen on his wall.
At the races (Toy Story 3)
Pixar Kid wearing Lightning McQueen shirt in 'Toy Story 3'
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)
Pixar Toy version of Mr. Ray in '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...
Sid's future (Toy Story 3)
Pixar An older Sid (voice: Erik von Detten) in '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.
Two batteries and beyond (Toy Story 3)
Pixar Buy 'N Large-branded batteries in 'Toy Story 3'
Buzz runs on batteries from Buy 'N Large, a major corporation in WALL-E's time.
Drive-in restaurant (Cars 2)
Pixar Gusteau's from 'Ratatouille' reimagined as Gastow's in 'Cars 2'
Gusteau's, the restaurant from Ratatouille, is reimagined in the Cars world as Gastow's.
Scottish car clan (Cars 2)
Pixar Merida and her family reimagined as cars in 'Brave'
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)
Pixar Sulley woodcarving in 'Brave'
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)
Pixar Toy version of Arlo in 'Monsters University'
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)
Disney/Pixar
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)
Disney/Pixar
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)
Disney/Pixar Margaret in the antiques store in 'Toy Story 4'
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)
Disney/Pixar
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.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
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