9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in “Elio ”(Including This Sweet Nod to “Toy Story”!)

9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in ‘Elio’

The 2025 Pixar film ‘Elio’ has both classic and new Easter eggs referencing past and upcoming movies. ‘Elio’ tells the story of a boy taken by aliens and mistakenly identified as Earth’s official ambassador. The Pixar film includes several nods to past and future films in the universe. ‘Elio’, which premiered on June 20, stars Yonas Kibreab, Remy Edgerly, Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, Brandon Moon, and Jameela Jamil.

Elio is loaded with plenty of hidden Pixar Easter eggs! The animated film, which hit theaters on June 20, is Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures’ latest film. ‘Elio’ tells the story of an 11-year-old boy scientist named Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) as he struggles to fit in with the rest of his classmates. He discovers how to get transported to space and becomes friends with the aliens, including his best friend Glordon (Remy Edgerly). However, his adventure with the aliens takes a turn when he finds himself accidentally getting identified as Earth’s official ambassador.

In true Pixar fashion, the film’s creators included several Easter eggs while making ‘Elio’. Here are the nine Easter eggs you may have missed while watching ‘Elio’.

1. The Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story.

The famous Pizza Planet Truck that is in nearly every Pixar movie makes an appearance in ‘Elio’. The rusty yellow 1978 Gyoza Mark VII Lite Hauler pickup truck first appeared in ‘Toy Story’ in 1995 and has since been a popular Easter egg in Pixar films.

2. References from Coco.

Inspired by the film ‘Coco’, ‘Elio’ creators included some Easter eggs related to the 2017 hit movie. The Hispanic family theme in ‘Elio’ allowed for the incorporation of elements from ‘Coco’, such as references to Frida Kahlo’s paintings.

3. The Pixar lamp.

The iconic Luxo desk lamp, synonymous with Pixar’s logo, can be spotted in the night stars of ‘Elio’. This classic reference pays homage to the studio’s beginnings and is a signature Easter egg in Pixar films.

4. The A113 number.

Another recurring Easter egg in Pixar movies is the number “A113”. In ‘Elio’, the number appears as “Area 113” on the back of Elio’s camouflage backpack. This inventive twist on the Easter egg also nods to the real Area 51 Air Force base.

5. Nods to Pixar’s next movie, Hoppers.

‘Elio’ teases Pixar’s upcoming film ‘Hoppers’ by featuring a lizard character that will be central to the next movie. Viewers can catch this Easter egg in ‘Elio’, setting the stage for the next Pixar adventure.

6. One of Elio’s shirts.

As a tribute to the team behind ‘Elio’, one of the Easter eggs includes Elio wearing a striped blue shirt. This insider reference reflects the personal touches that the animators included in the film.

7. The Luxo ball.

The Luxo ball, a yellow ball with a blue stripe and red star, is tucked away as a stamp on a water bottle on Elio’s desk. This subtle nod to Pixar’s iconic ball adds to the Easter egg collection in ‘Elio’.

8. A Star Trek cameo.

Aside from physical objects, ‘Elio’ also features a voice Easter egg with Kate Mulgrew narrating about NASA’s Voyager and galaxies. Mulgrew, known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway in ‘Star Trek: Voyager’, adds a familiar voice to the film.

9. A radio referencing the film’s directors.

An insider reference in ‘Elio’ is the radio named after the film’s directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian. This creative nod showcases the camaraderie and collaboration among the creators of ‘Elio’.

In conclusion, ‘Elio’ is not just a captivating animated film but also a treasure trove of Easter eggs for Pixar fans to discover and enjoy. From classic references to upcoming teasers, the creators have masterfully woven these hidden gems into the fabric of the movie, adding layers of fun and intrigue for audiences of all ages. As Pixar continues to delight and surprise viewers with their creative storytelling, ‘Elio’ stands out as another shining example of the studio’s attention to detail and commitment to crafting unforgettable cinematic experiences.