14 Pixar Characters That Were Secretly Shown Before Their Own Big Screen Movie Was Released
If you love animated movies, Pixar, and everything in between, then you'll love this article.
Pixar has a long history of sneaking tiny details into its movies, and fans love spotting them years later. Some of those details are easy to miss, especially when they involve characters who had not even made their official big screen debut yet.
This roundup pulls together 14 Pixar characters who appeared in earlier films before their own stories arrived in theaters. From background cameos to blink-and-you-miss-it appearances, these little moments show how much fun Pixar has with its shared universe.
Some of these appearances are so subtle that you may have watched the movie several times without noticing them. Read on to see which Pixar characters showed up early.
1. Brave Family Spotted in Cars 2
In this scene, you can see a tapestry on the wall that resembles the family from Brave, but reimagined as cars.
Disney/Pixar2. Mr. Incredible in Finding Nemo
Mr. Incredible appears on a boy's comic book in Finding Nemo, even though The Incredibles wouldn't be released until a year after Finding Nemo.
Disney/Pixar3. Newt Xing in Toy Story 3
This sign on Andy's door in Toy Story 3 features a "Newt Xing" sign, which was a reference to the Newt film that was ultimately never released due to its similarities with the movie Rio.
Disney/Pixar
4. Finn McMissile in Toy Story 3
In Toy Story 3, you can see a poster of an Aston Martin, which we later recognize as Finn McMissile from Cars 2.
Disney/Pixar
5. Dug in Ratatouille
Dug's shadow is first seen in this scene of Ratatouille when his shadow chases the rat. Later, we realize that this shadow belongs to Dug, who is seen in the movie Up.
Disney/Pixar
That is the kind of Pixar detail fans love to spot later.
6. Forrest Woodbush in Inside Out
Forrest Woodbush can be seen in Inside Out, but many may not know that this dinosaur is the same one from The Good Dinosaur.
Disney/Pixar
For more everyday odd surprises, this collection proves the world is still full of surprises.
7. Lots-O-Huggin Bear in Up
The Lots-O-Huggin Bear from Toy Story 3 can be spotted in a little girl's bedroom during the scene where the balloons lift the house, showcasing the houses they pass by.
Disney/Pixar
8. Arlo in Monsters University
Arlo, the star of The Good Dinosaur, was spotted in Monsters University on the floor among other toys and items.
Disney/Pixar
9. Wall-E in Your Friend The Rat
Wall-E can be seen driving a futuristic bus in the short film titled Your Friend The Rat.
Disney/Pixar
10. Nemo in Monsters Inc.
Nemo can be spotted on the wall in this scene behind the octopus in Monsters Inc., which was released two years before Finding Nemo.
Disney/Pixar
Pixar really does love planting these little surprises.
11. Incredibles 2 in Coco
On the wall during this scene, you can see the Incredibles family depicted in a skeletonized style.
Disney/Pixar
12. Coco's Guitar in Cars 3
In Cars 3, you can clearly see a guitar hanging on the wall in this scene. It's said to be Coco's famous guitar.
Disney/Pixar
13. Hank in The Good Dinosaur
When Arlo falls into a pond in The Good Dinosaur, an octopus can be seen at the bottom, which is Hank from Finding Dory.
Disney/Pixar
14. Luca in Soul
There is a "Luca Airlines" poster on the window in the movie Soul, which was released before the movie Luca.
Disney/Pixar
These hidden Pixar characters show how far ahead the studio sometimes plans its worlds. It makes the rewatch even better when you catch one in the background.
Do you know any other Pixar cameos worth pointing out? Share them if you do.
For more hidden Disney/Pixar details revealed, check out this article next: 40 Tiny Details In Pixar Movies That Even Hardcore Disney Fans Probably Didn't Notice
Pixar fans never stop looking for the next hidden cameo.
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