Pixar movies are known for sneaking in many Easter eggs and references, and Elio is no exception. Elio is the 29th film from the animation studio that has given audiences cherished animated films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo. The film follows the тιтular hero, who is abducted by aliens after being mistaken for the intergalactic ambᴀssador of Earth.

While the film received an 83% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, Elio unfortunately flopped at the box office. It grossed $154 million worldwide on a reported budget of $150 million. Nearly three months after its release, the film is now streaming on Disney+, giving audiences the perfect opportunity to check it out and see what’s hiding in the background.

Every Pixar movie typically includes tributes to the studio, like the Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story and the Luxo Lamp, while also including references to past and future films. Elio is a beautifully animated movie with vibrant characters and atmospheres, but it’s the smaller details that audiences may want to pay attention to.

13

A Star Trek: Voyager Voice Cameo

Elio is fascinated by space, and his interest is sparked during the film’s opening scene at the Montez Air & Space Museum. While exploring the museum, Elio wanders into an unopened exhibit about the Voyager 1. A narrator shares details about the Voyager spacecraft while immersing Elio in a wonderful room of stars.

The narrator is voiced by Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager. It’s a clever nod to the series, and fits well into Pixar’s sci-fi adventure. It may not be a reference that many kids will pick up on, but adults, especially Trekkies, will appreciate the shout-out to one of the franchise’s most beloved shows.

12

A Twist On A113

A113 is perhaps the most common easter egg in Pixar and Disney films, as well as other animated projects from different studios. The number refers to the classroom number where many alumni from the California Insтιтute of Visual Arts studied animation and graphic design. It appears in every Pixar movie, and only the best sleuths can find it on a first watch.

In Elio, it has a bit of a twist. It can be found on Elio’s camouflage backpack, but it doesn’t just say “A113.” It actually says “Area 113,” a reference to Area 51, the Nevada National Security site that conspiracy theorists believe holds extraterrestrial secrets. It may not be the traditional cameo, but it does match Elio’s personal interests.

11

References To Coco

After contacting the aliens, Elio returns to Tia Olga’s house to pack his things. He quickly takes his parent’s pH๏τo off an ofrenda. Ofrendas are altars that often include pH๏τos of departed relatives to honor them, typically on Día de los Muertos. In Coco, the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ can return to the living world if their pH๏τos are placed on an ofrenda.

There is also a Frida Kahlo painting in Olga’s house. Kahlo was a famous Mexican painter in the 1900s who makes an appearance in Coco as she prepares a performance for Ernesto de la Cruz’s upcoming concert.

10

Elio’s Radio References The Film’s Directors

During Elio’s many attempts to make contact with aliens, he uses a radio that’s called a “Domad” radio. The name is a combination of the film’s two directors, Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian. It’s a quick inside joke, but both directors have a history with Pixar beyond this film.

Shi directed the short film, Bao, which released with Incredibles 2, and 2022’s Turning Red. Sharafian made her feature debut with Elio after previously directing the short film, Burrow, which also gets its own reference in the film.

9

A Sunscreen Bottle Features A Character From Pixar’s Burrow

Speaking of Sharafian, the director included a tribute to her 2020 short in the film. Elio’s “sunny bunny” sunscreen features a rabbit that bears resemblance to the main character in Burrow. The short was a part of Pixar’s SparkShorts series on Disney+, and was shown in theaters before Soul in 2024.

The short film centers on a rabbit who wants to build her dream burrow. However, she has difficulty expanding without intruding on her neighbors. It received positive reviews from critics, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.

8

The Alien’s Signal Pays Homage To Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film centers around Roy Neary, a working man from Indiana whose life changes when he encounters a UFO. Spielberg’s sci-fi classic was a hit with critics and audiences, and is an incredibly influential sci-fi film that is often referenced by other popular films.

One of Close Encounters‘ most memorable scenes is when humans first contact the mothership. It’s an almost musical communication, as the two sides share harmonies back and forth. When Melmac first plays the alien signal from the Communiverse for Olga, it does have a musical aspect to it, and is a nice homage to how aliens contacted humanity in the 1977 film.

7

Luxo Lamp Appears On Elio’s Desk

Luxo Sr. is the father of Luxo Jr., and is a significant icon within Pixar. Many will recognize Luxo Jr. from Pixar’s logo, where it comes in and stomps on the i before taking its place. Luxo Sr. has appeared in several shorts with his son, including Light and Heavy, Upside Down, and Surprise.

In Elio, Luxo Sr. is sitting on Elio’s desk in his room, surrounded by many of his other sci-fi and space trinkets. He’s a larger lamp than his son, which gives him a more distinct appearance. Luxo is a staple of the studio, and is a required cameo in every Pixar film.

6

The Pixar Ball Is Also On Hs Desk, But Harder To See

Luxo Sr. isn’t the only Pixar icon on Elio’s desk as the Luxo ball is also there, but more difficult to find. The ball can be seen as a sticker on the rocket on his desk. It only features the yellow circle and the star, so it may not be easy to spot right away, especially since it’s so small.

The Luxo ball is another prop that frequently appears in Pixar films. While many ᴀssociate it with the Toy Story films, the ball debuted in 1986’s Luxo Jr. alongside the iconic lamp.

5

Elio’s Clone Resembles A John Carpenter Icon

Once Elio is in the Communiverse, a clone of himself is created to take his place on Earth. While the clone looks exactly like the main character, his creation is slightly disturbing. When he emerges from the microwave-esque cloning machine, he has an uncanny appearance before turning into a blob and eventually recomposing himself.

In an interview with Variety, Shi confirmed the clone was influenced by John Carpenter’s The Thing. 1982’s The Thing revolves around a group of researchers in Antarctica who are terrorized by a mysterious creature that can shapeshift into others. While Elio doesn’t reach the extreme levels of that film, the clone’s creation does embody some of The Thing’s creepiest qualities.

4

The Pizza Planet Truck Makes A Quick Appearance

The Pizza Planet truck debuted in 1995’s Toy Story. The delivery truck is used by Woody and Buzz Lightyear to get to the pizza-arcade hybrid restaurant. Since its debut, it’s made a cameo in every Pixar movie, except The Incredibles.

Sometimes the truck is easy to find, while other times it blends into the background. It is in Elio, but it is very brief. The yellow truck can be seen parked outside Melmac’s house. While it’s a random location for the truck, maybe Melmac works as a pizza delivery person when he’s not searching for extraterrestrial life.