Easter eggs come in all shapes and sizes. We’re rather partial to oversized chocolate bunnies, and love a sticky hot cross bun smothered with butter that drips down your chin as you nibble its spicy sweetness.
Because it’s Easter time and we’ve been stuffing our faces with Easter eggs, we decided to take a look at a completely different kind of Easter egg - not the kind you find in stores, wrapped in shiny foil, but rather the ones tucked away in movies.
Movie Easter eggs are hidden jokes, nods and tributes. They derive their name from the fact that you have to hunt for them, just like you would a real Easter egg. Since we love movies and edible Easter eggs, we’re taking a look at twenty movie Easter eggs that will make you watch your favourite films in a completely different way.
Disney Movies
Your favourite animated features are full of hidden gems, including Dumbo in Lilo & Stitch, Buzz Lightyear in Finding Nemo, and Rapunzel and Flynn from Tangled in Frozen. Sometimes they appear as toys, sometimes as people…look carefully.
Toy Story (1995)
Despite all the self-references, Disney, and Pixar, occasionally reference movies other than their own. In Toy Story, the dizzyingly patterned carpet in Sid’s house is a reference to the carpet in The Shining. Since both Sid and Jack Torrance are up to no good, it makes sense.
Back to the Future (1985)
When Marty lands in the 1950s he crashes into a farmhouse owned by a man named Peabody whose son is called Sherman. It’s a reference to cartoon characters Mr. Peabody and Sherman, who are also time travellers.
Batman (1989)
Alexander Knox receives a picture of The Batman in the beginning of the movie. The sketch is signed “Bob Kane”, which is a tip of the hat to Batman’s original creator.
The Departed (2006)
Remade from the Hong Kong thriller, Infernal Affairs, you could say the whole movie is an Easter egg. Snide remarks aside, Martin Scorsese’s movie has many merits. One of these is the clever use of crosses, an idea he borrowed from Howard Hawks’ Scarface. Every time a character is about to die, an "x" appears somewhere in the scene.
Predator 2 (1990)
If you didn’t enjoy Alien vs. Predator you can blame this movie for its inception: a Xenomorph skull can be glimpsed in the Predator’s trophy room.
Fight Club (1999)
Every single scene has a Starbucks cup in it – a cleverly subtle way of highlighting the film’s message about consumerism.
I Am Legend (2007)
There’s a reference to Batman v Superman! We kid you not. However, it’s not a tribute to the current one starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Read about it here.
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) response to being asked how he spent his time since the events of the last film is “Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.” This is a lyric from Flowers on the Wall, sung by Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction.
Death Proof (2007)
Quentin Tarantino himself is not one to shy away from nodding, referencing and paying tribute. In the Texas Chilli Parlor in Death Proof there’s a vest hanging on a wall filled with memorabilia. The vest belongs to Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China. Burton was played by Kurt Russell, who appears in Death Proof. Mind boggled? We hope so.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
The first movie introduces the mystery of the main character’s real name. Merely known as The Bride, her name is only properly revealed in the second film. However, little do many viewers know that her name is subtly revealed in a few places in the first volume, like on The Bride’s plane ticket to Japan.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, it follows the real-life story of confidence trickster Frank Abagnale. The latter makes a cameo, arresting Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Abagnale in the movie.
Rango (2011)
Remember when Rango gets windshield-whacked by a convertible? The men in the car look like Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Johnny Depp, who played Duke in Fear and Loathing, voices Rango.
Fast Five (2011)
Because so many filmmakers love Star Wars there are endless allusions to the films. In the fifth Fast & Furious movie Han’s full name is seen on a computer screen: Han Seoul-Oh. We bet you didn’t see that one coming!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The Star Wars reference we like even more is the appearance of R2-D2 and C-3PO in this Indiana Jones film…as a couple of hieroglyphs.
Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)
R2-D2, especially, is quite the traveller, popping up in both J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek movies. Think the droid will pop into the third?
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
The Star Wars movies have their own Easter eggs of course. In A New Hope you can see and hear the number 1138 multiple times. This is a nod to George Lucas’ feature film debut, THX 1138.
Jurassic World (2015)
The fourth title in the franchise is filled with nods to the original. One of these treasures is a book written by Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum in the original) entitled God Creates Dinosaurs.
Deadpool (2016)
As part of the Marvel universe (but not the Marvel cinematic universe) Deadpool is fully of cheeky references. Along with naughty innuendos about Hugh Jackman, there’s the nod to Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld; a tribute to Hello Kitty (the only account the movie’s official Twitter handle follows); a shot at Green Lantern; and even one at Ryan Reynolds, delivered by Ryan Reynolds.
The Selfie
No, that’s not a movie you missed. It’s a reference to how many directors insert themselves in minuscule cameos in their films. Check it out here.
There are endless movie Easter eggs, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. Do you have a favourite? Share it with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Happy Easter and enjoy your real Easter eggs!