12 Hidden Easter Eggs in Cartoons: Cartoons are often packed with hidden gems and subtle nods that only the most eagle-eyed viewers catch. These Easter eggs are a fun way for creators to include inside jokes, references to other works, or hints at future projects. Here are 12 hidden Easter eggs in cartoons that you might have missed!
1. Rapunzel and Flynn Attend Elsa’s Coronation in Frozen (2013)
Easter Egg: During the song “For the First Time in Forever,” as the gates open for Elsa’s coronation, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (from Tangled) can be seen entering the castle grounds among the crowd.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Look for a short-haired woman in a purple dress walking with a man in a vest—Rapunzel and Flynn’s signature outfits.
- Significance: This cameo suggests that the kingdoms of Corona (Tangled) and Arendelle (Frozen) exist in the same universe.
2. The Pizza Planet Truck in Finding Nemo (2003)
Easter Egg: The iconic Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story makes a brief appearance in Finding Nemo. It can be spotted on the street when Gill is explaining his escape plan involving the aquarium filter.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Look for the yellow truck with a rocket on top, parked outside the dentist’s office.
- Significance: The Pizza Planet truck is a recurring Easter egg, appearing in almost every Pixar film.
3. WALL-E’s Nod to Hello, Dolly! (2008)
Easter Egg: Throughout WALL-E, the titular robot watches a VHS tape of the musical Hello, Dolly!, particularly the song “Put On Your Sunday Clothes.”
Details:
- Visual Clue: Scenes from the 1969 film are shown on WALL-E’s makeshift screen.
- Significance: The song inspires WALL-E’s longing for companionship and plays a thematic role in the film.
4. A113 Appears in The Iron Giant (1999)
Easter Egg: The code “A113” appears on a license plate in The Iron Giant. This alphanumeric code is a recurring Easter egg in many animated films.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Look for the license plate on the car of the government agent, Kent Mansley.
- Significance: “A113” references the classroom number at CalArts where many animators, including Brad Bird, studied.
5. Hidden Mickeys in Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Easter Egg: Lilo & Stitch features several hidden Mickey Mouse silhouettes throughout the film.
Details:
- Visual Clue: One example is the photograph of tourists that Lilo shows in her room; one tourist is wearing a Mickey Mouse ears hat.
- Significance: Hidden Mickeys are a longstanding tradition in Disney films and theme parks.
6. The Luxo Ball in Toy Story Series
Easter Egg: The yellow ball with a blue stripe and a red star, known as the Luxo Ball, appears in the Toy Story movies and several other Pixar films.
Details:
- Visual Clue: In Toy Story, the ball is seen in Andy’s room among his toys.
- Significance: The Luxo Ball originates from Pixar’s 1986 short film “Luxo Jr.” and symbolizes the studio’s history.
7. Marie from The Aristocats in Oliver & Company (1988)
Easter Egg: During the song “Why Should I Worry?” in Oliver & Company, a white kitten resembling Marie from The Aristocats appears briefly.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Look for the white kitten with a pink bow sitting in a windowsill as Dodger dances through the streets.
- Significance: This cameo pays homage to previous Disney feline characters.
8. Rex from Toy Story in Finding Nemo (2003)
Easter Egg: A toy version of Rex, the nervous Tyrannosaurus rex from Toy Story, appears in the dentist’s office in Finding Nemo.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Rex can be seen lying on the floor in the waiting area where the children play.
- Significance: This crossover hints at a shared universe within Pixar films.
9. Hiro’s Cat Mochi Wears a Stitch Costume in Big Hero 6 (2014)
Easter Egg: In Big Hero 6, Hiro’s pet cat, Mochi, is seen wearing a costume resembling Stitch from Lilo & Stitch.
Details:
- Visual Clue: When Hiro returns home, Mochi greets him wearing a blue alien costume with large ears.
- Significance: This is a fun nod to another beloved Disney character.
10. Dr. Facilier’s Shadow Shows Other Disney Villains in The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Easter Egg: In The Princess and the Frog, during Dr. Facilier’s song “Friends on the Other Side,” his shadow briefly transforms to resemble other Disney villains.
Details:
- Visual Clue: Look closely during the song to see shadows that hint at characters like Scar from The Lion King.
- Significance: This subtle inclusion ties together Disney’s legacy of memorable villains.
11. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Frozen II (2019)
Easter Egg: An image of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt Disney’s earliest characters, appears in Frozen II.
Details:
- Visual Clue: When Anna and Elsa visit the attic, a small wooden figure resembling Oswald can be seen among the items.
- Significance: This is a tribute to Disney’s animation origins before Mickey Mouse.
12. The “Wilhelm Scream” in Various Cartoons
Easter Egg: The “Wilhelm Scream” is a stock sound effect used in numerous films and cartoons when a character screams.
Details:
- Audio Clue: Listen for a distinctive high-pitched scream during action scenes or when characters fall.
- Notable Uses: It appears in cartoons like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Toy Story, and The Lego Movie.
- Significance: The recurring use is an inside joke among sound designers and filmmakers.
12 Hidden Easter Eggs in Cartoons You’ve Probably Missed
These hidden Easter eggs add an extra layer of enjoyment for attentive viewers and highlight the creativity and interconnectedness of animated films. Next time you watch these cartoons, keep an eye out for these subtle details—you might spot even more surprises!
