15 Movie Easter Eggs Hidden in Plain Sight
Movies love hiding little details where viewers can see them without realizing what they are looking at. A prop on a shelf, a familiar name on a sign, a background character, or a tiny visual reference can carry a connection that only becomes obvious once someone points it out. Some of these details were planted as jokes, others connect different movies within the same universe, and a few reward people who have watched the same film more times than they would probably admit. The best ones do not interrupt the story at all, which is exactly why they can sit there unnoticed for years while millions of people watch the same scene.
The Pizza Planet Truck Appears Everywhere — Toy Story (1995)
The yellow Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story became one of Pixar’s favorite recurring Easter eggs, appearing somewhere in almost every Pixar movie, often tucked into a street scene or parking lot where it is easy to miss.
A113 Keeps Showing Up — The Incredibles (2004)
The classroom number A113 appears throughout Pixar and Disney productions, including on the prison cell where Mr. Incredible is held, as a reference to the animation classroom used by students at CalArts.
The Wilhelm Scream — Star Wars (1977)
That strangely recognizable scream heard during the Death Star battle is the famous Wilhelm Scream, a recycled sound effect that has appeared in hundreds of movies and became an inside joke among filmmakers.
The Fake Newspaper in The Truman Show — The Truman Show (1998)
The newspapers surrounding Truman are filled with strange little details, including headlines and advertisements that quietly reinforce the fact that his entire world has been constructed around keeping the television illusion intact.
E.T. Watches a Star Wars Movie — E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
When E.T. visits Halloween night, he spots a child dressed as Yoda and reacts as if he recognizes him, creating a playful connection between Spielberg’s movie and the Star Wars universe.
The Number 42 — The Shining (1980)
The number 42 appears in several places throughout The Shining, including Danny’s sweater and the room number 237, with some fans interpreting the repeated numbers as deliberate references hidden within Kubrick’s famously detail heavy production.
The Background Character in Fight Club — Fight Club (1999)
Tyler Durden appears in several frames before the audience is supposed to understand his connection to the narrator, including incredibly brief flashes that most viewers will never notice during a first viewing.
The Umbrella Corporation Logo — Resident Evil (2002)
The Umbrella Corporation’s logo is scattered throughout the film’s environments, appearing on equipment, clothing, and other objects as a constant visual reminder of the company behind the disaster.
The Luxo Lamp Appears in Monsters, Inc. — Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Pixar’s little desk lamp makes another appearance through the company’s visual language, with familiar studio symbols repeatedly tucked into the backgrounds for viewers who know where to look.
Captain America’s Shield — Iron Man (2008)
Tony Stark’s workshop contains an unfinished version of Captain America’s shield, appearing briefly in the background years before the Avengers fully came together on screen.
The Code in The Matrix — The Matrix (1999)
The green digital code filling the screens of The Matrix is not simply random computer gibberish, as the designers based much of it on altered Japanese sushi recipes.
The A113 Reference — The Avengers (2012)
Marvel gets its own connection to the animation world when A113 appears in the background, continuing the tradition of filmmakers sneaking the CalArts classroom number into unexpected productions.
Wayne Enterprises Appears in The Dark Knight — The Dark Knight (2008)
The Wayne Enterprises name appears naturally throughout Gotham’s environments, but small background references to the company help establish Bruce Wayne’s influence without requiring the movie to stop and explain it.
The Pixar Ball in Up — Up (2009)
The familiar Pixar ball appears among the toys in Carl and Ellie’s home, an easy detail to overlook while the movie is busy establishing their entire relationship and the life they built together.
The Hidden Mickey — Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
A tiny Mickey Mouse shape can be spotted in the background during the Ego sequence, tucked into the elaborate visual design of the planet and giving Disney fans a blink and you miss it Easter egg.