Pixar's Elio is packed with space aliens, spaghetti strainers, and - if you know where to look - a ridiculous number of Easter eggs. Whether you're a Disney super fan or just love decoding hidden messages, Elio might be one of Pixar's most layered films in years.
From Pixar ball underwear to E.T.'s glowing finger, I crawled through the movie frame-by-frame (literally), and here's everything I found that you probably missed.
Andy from Toy Story Is Literally in the Alien Manual
The first character we ever met in a Pixar feature film? Andy from Toy Story. And Elio gives him a secret shout out in the Universal User Manual. If you look closely at the alien-coded cards, they spell out ANDY and PIXAR in the alien font. Not even 5 minutes in and the nostalgia is strong.
A113, A Bug's Life & The Hoppers Tease
Pixar's signature Easter egg, A113, shows up multiple times:
On Elio's backpack next to a Sasquatch patch.- On the debris field monitor at the military base.
But there's more! On that same monitor, we see a file labeled Hoppers, teasing Pixar's upcoming movie. Plus, the cute lizard and oversized clover plants in the film are subtle callbacks to A Bug's Life.
Pixar Ball... Underwear?
We all know the classic yellow ball with the red star. In Elio, you'll spot the Pixar ball on his underwear during the scan scene. Weird flex? Maybe. But it's not the first time Pixar did this - remember Alfredo's Incredibles underwear in Ratatouille?
Even the alien badge design is styled after the Pixar ball with its yellow base, blue stripe, and red star. Sneaky.
Pizza Planet Truck? Found It.
You can't have a Pixar movie without the Pizza Planet Truck. In Elio:
- It's parked outside Gunther's house.
- It shows up again next to a trash can at the military base.
- Gunther even eats Pizza Planet food - guy must have the employee discount.
And in Elio's room? One of those iconic Pizza Planet aliens is hiding on his dresser. Not that one... that one.
Inside Out, Turning Red & Domee Shi Details
On the desk inside the command center, you'll see a parenting book from Inside Out, along with a nod to TripleDent Gum.
Director Domee Shi, who brought us Turning Red, left her mark too:
- The moon we see in Elio is the same one from Turning Red (confirmed by Pixar).
- The outhouse graffiti "6" comes straight from Turning Red concept art.
- Elio's radio brand, DO-MAD, is a mashup of "Domee" and "Madeline" (Madeline Sharafian, co-director).
- Also, that screensaver with a box of kittens? Yep, another Turning Red cameo.
Coco Lives On in Elio's House
This one hits the heart. When Elio runs inside his house, you'll spot an Ofrenda - just like in Coco - honoring his parents. It even includes Coco decorations.
And if you check out Olga's office, she has an Ernesto de la Cruz shirt hanging on the wall. Un Poco Loco, anyone?
Pixar Studio Hiding in the Sand
This one's wild. When Elio lays on the beach waiting for aliens, he draws a strange pattern in the sand. That pattern? It's literally the layout of Pixar's Emeryville campus:
- Outdoor meeting area.
- Main building.
- Luxo Lamp and Ball spot.
Bonus points: His school address is 1200, just like Pixar's 1200 Park Avenue HQ.
Quick Snack Break: Space Popcorn
If you're going to watch Pixar movies and dig through every frame for hidden secrets, you'll need a snack. Try my homemade Space Popcorn - it's buttery, crunchy, and made right here in America. Warning: may cause spontaneous movie quoting.
From Luca to Jurassic Park... and Signs?
Elio wears a spaghetti strainer helmet just like Luca, and his room is packed with Pixar collectibles:
- The rocket prize from Toy Story 4 shows up twice.
- The wooden bird from Up lives on his shelf.
- A Lemon and Tupperware from Toy Story 4 appears on the kitchen counter.
- That floatie on the beach? From the Barbie pool party in Toy Story 2.
- Even the crop circles in the cornfield? Straight out of Signs.
And yes, someone at Pixar is clearly a Jurassic Park 3 fan. I don't make the rules, I just connect the dots.
Elio's Room Is a UFO Museum
Let's talk UFOs. Elio's room has a wall-sized poster showing:
- The Axium from WALL-E.
- A UFO from Lifted.
- The spaceship from Lightyear.
- The Unidentified Flying Matter from Cars Toons.
- And the original transport pod that abducted Elio.
They even note locations like Emeryville and Cupertino (hello, Apple). That's a nod to Steve Jobs, who helped fund Pixar in the early days.
Bonus Trivia
Here are some real-world Pixar facts to drop at parties:
- Elio's director Madeline Sharafian was a story artist on Coco and the story lead in Turning Red.
- Voice actor Yonas Kibreab (Elio) also voiced characters in Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.
- The Pixar short "Burrow" (referenced on the sunscreen bottle) won critical acclaim for its hand-drawn animation style.
Elio may be Pixar's most meta film to date. It's not just about space exploration - it's a full-on love letter to Pixar itself, filled with more callbacks than a Marvel post-credit scene.
Whether it's the Luxo lamp, the Pixar ball, or deep cuts like Burrow and Lifted, this movie rewards fans who pay attention.
If you loved this breakdown, I have a couple of ways you can keep the adventure going. Until our next adventure - Gents and Gentlets - share a smile. They're contagious.