Like any other Pixar movie, there are Easter eggs littered throughout 2022's Turning Red. From the casual mention of the Pizza Planet truck to a nod to an upcoming movie, it's a given that fans will spot these Pixar clues. Some, however, are far more subtle.
Sometimes, the scenes move too fast for viewers' eyes to pick out every detail. Other times, it may be a small but important detail to a side character's design or lifestyle. Scouring Pixar and Disney films for Easter eggs can be a fun pastime for die-hard fans who can spot hints and clues from other films.
9 The Famous Pizza Planet Truck
Having appeared in Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Ratatouille, Up, and more, fans are always on the lookout for the famous Pizza Planet truck. No matter where the film takes place, the truck always finds a way to appear in the background, hiding in plain sight.
The Pizza Planet truck also appears in Turning Red. After turning into a red panda, the truck is spotted as Meilin runs towards the SkyDome after her fight with Ming.
8 Two Of Meilin's Classmates Have Diabetes
This scene happened quickly but took some fans by surprise. It occurs in one of Turning Red's trailers and the film, so there is a chance to catch it on a rewatch. When Mei turns into a red panda at school, she attempts to hide in the bathroom. Just as she tries to hide in the stalls, she runs into one of the girls.
The detail may be small, but an insulin infusion patch on her left shoulder indicates that the girl has diabetes. The second student is seen in Meilin's classroom with the same patch on her arm. It may seem insignificant to others, but it's a step in the right direction for Pixar's representation. This detail could be foreshadowing a future protagonist of a Pixar film.
7 A Twilight Reference Hits Home
Anyone who's read the Twilight novel series - or is at least familiar with it - knows of its deep-seated popularity amongst preteen and teenage readers. While a vampire romance isn't new, Twilight popularized the genre in the early 2000s.
Meilin introduces her three friends, Priya, Miriam, and Abby early on in Turning Red. Twilight is presented as a parodied reference during Priya's debut, as she's holding a book with a cover similar to the famous vampire series. Instead of Twilight, the book's title is "Nightfall."
6 Hinting At A New Movie
Pixar has a history of hinting at past movies and dropping clues for upcoming movie releases. Some fans have even spotted images from other Pixar shorts, such as Burrow and Purl.
Lightyear is Pixar's upcoming project, focusing on the man who inspired Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear. Throughout Toy Story, the Star Command logo has shown up on Buzz's uniform, TV screens, and his toy box. It's also shown up in the Lightyear trailer. The logo can also be seen on Miriam's skateboard in Turning Red.
5 Bao Is Referenced Throughout The Movie
Turning Red has connections with the 2018 short film Bao. Director Domee Shi created both, inspired by her childhood experiences with Chinese traditions. In addition, bao is a popular food mentioned throughout Turning Red.
Shi made sure to pay homage to her film debut in Meilin's town. In the scene where Meilin is getting off the bus, a bao restaurant sign hides in plain sight. Fans can see Bao's storyline woven through Turning Red, as Meilin struggles to find her independence and identity away from Ming.
4 The Smiley-Face Porridge From Mulan
A specific scene in Turning Red pays homage to another Disney film. The morning following the Daisy Mart incident, Ming is seen making rice porridge for breakfast. Two fried eggs, chopped-up bok choy, a mushroom, and a slice of bacon make up a smiley face.
Casual viewers may not notice initially, but any Disney fan will remember that famous face. The porridge resembles the one Mushu made for Mulan on her first day of military training in Mulan.
3 There Are Two Coco References
Turning Red makes two subtle nods to the 2017 film Coco. The first Easter egg is the image of a papel picado, colorful sheets of paper meant to decorate Mexican houses. After Mei turns into a red panda, the papel picado could be seen hanging from one of the houses she runs past.
Fans can spot the second Easter egg on one of the students in Mei's school. A young boy with black hair and eye makeup is sporting a green "Escapúla" T-shirt. Escapúla is a fictional band that appeared in the Battle of the Bands segment in Coco.
2 The Tamagotchi Toy Makes An Appearance
Along with other '90s and early-2000s trends, Turning Red sprinkled images of the widely-popular Tamagotchi toy. The Tamagotchi (a portmanteau of the Japanese word for "egg" and the romanization of the word "watch") was a digital, interactive pet. Bandai created the toy in 1996 and released it to the world the following year. It became an instant hit with children from elementary through middle school.
The Tamagotchi's development depended on the owner's care. The more attention it received, the happier it was. Its requirements came randomly. Many fans may remember the Tamagotchi and can relate to Meilin panicking over the pet's unpredictable demands.
1 Plenty Of Canadian References
Turning Red makes sure to highlight some Canadian scenery. Fans can tell the story takes place in Toronto because there are prominent landmarks featured in scenes.
Fans will notice the iconic CN Tower in a few scenes and the SkyDome, the stadium where 4*Town holds their big concert. TT Streetcars pass by each other and Meilin is seen riding one of them at the beginning of Turning Red. Even Meilin's school, Lester B. Pearson Elementary School, is based on an actual school in Toronto.