Pixar’s ‘Elio’ is packed with hidden easter eggs — from Pizza Planet to future characters
The sci-fi adventure, Elio by Pixar hides nods to Coco, Toy Story, and even teases 2026’s Hoppers film.
Elio arrives in theaters this Friday, promising much more than a silly trip through space. Pixar's newest animated escapade follows a creative young boy who becomes embroiled in intergalactic diplomacy — but fans know there’s another layer of fun to be had: the Easter eggs the studio has made so famous.
Achieving a surreal blend of celebratory fun and bizarre absurdities, the film is directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, featuring Yonas Kibreab in the title role alongside Zoe Saldaña as Elio's aunt, Olga. Observant audiences will spot functionally clever visual references to beloved Pixar films and potential glimpses of the filmmakers’ studios respectively other films and properties, many of which are literally among the stars.
Classic Pixar easter eggs return
Staying true to the Pixar formula, Elio also manages to acknowledge the studio's legacy. The iconic Pizza Planet truck — which made its first cameo appearance in Toy Story — continues the tradition by appearing somewhere in the film's universe. Fans of Pixar will undoubtedly have fun trying to spot it in the movie's cosmic terrain.
The film also uses visual references to Coco, about Elio's cultural heritage. If you look closely at Elio's family's house, you'll see artwork designed for Coco, including bright colored promotional posters for Frida Kahlo's character. The nostalgic element designed into Elio gives it a certain warmth in relation to Pixar's larger universe.
Sneak peeks into Pixar’s future
Beyond just nods, Elio also teases what’s coming next from the studio. A full character from Pixar's upcoming movie Hoppers makes an unexpected cameo, continuing the tradition of referencing future films within the former. It's some of the clearest examples of Pixar playing the long game with connected narratives.
In Elio, the night sky is more than just a scene — it is filled with purpose. There are constellations that attempt to form shapes like the Luxo lamp, Pixar's iconic mascot. And according to the visual effects team, even where the stars are located represent real constellations that you can see from Northern California in the summer, bringing grounded magic to the production.
