Hidden in Plain Sight: The Best Easter Eggs to Spot in Pixar’s “Hoppers”
With Pixar’s brilliant animated adventure, “Hoppers,” officially streaming on Disney+ and available on home media, the time has come to put that pause button to work. Pixar has a legendary reputation for hiding brilliant references in their films, and “Hoppers” is absolutely loaded with details that connect the past, present, and future of the studio. Let’s break down the best hidden treasures you can spot right now.
Mabel’s Bedroom: A Window to Pixar’s Legacy
In classic Pixar fashion, the bedroom of our lead character, Mabel, serves as a goldmine for eagle-eyed fans. If you focus your attention on her windowsill, you will find two incredibly distinct nods that represent both the director’s past and the studio’s future:
- We Bare Bears Figurine: “Hoppers” is directed by Daniel Chong, the creator of the popular Cartoon Network series “We Bare Bears.” On Mabel’s windowsill, you can spot a small figurine of three bears stacked on top of each other: Grizz, Panda, and Ice Bear. This is a sweet nod to the iconic bear-stacking animation from Chong’s previous hit series.
- A Sneak Peek at Toy Story 5: Pixar has a long history of hiding a character from their next upcoming film in plain sight. On the opposite side of Mabel’s windowsill sits a small blue hippo head. This is Atlas, a hippo-shaped GPS toy who will be voiced by Craig Robinson in the upcoming “Toy Story 5.”
- A Personal Touch: The bedroom details do not stop at the windowsill. On Mabel’s noticeboard, you can spot a custom sketch. This piece of art was actually drawn by Piper Curda, the talented actress who voices Mabel in the film.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Ralph Eggleston
Easily the most touching detail in the entire movie pays tribute to legendary Pixar artist Ralph Eggleston, who passed away in August 2022. During the animal council scene, you can spot three birds sitting together that look identical to the characters from the iconic 2000 Pixar short, “For the Birds.”
According to director Daniel Chong, Eggleston’s final artistic contribution to Pixar before his passing was early development work on “Hoppers.” The animation team went out of their way to remodel and update these classic birds using modern software to permanently immortalize Eggleston’s work inside the film. It is a beautiful tribute for Pixar fans.
Phone Stickers and Classic Disney Crossovers
Mabel’s phone also gets plenty of screen time, and its backing is decorated with classic Pixar lore. Viewers can easily spot a Wilderness Explorers sticker, referencing the beloved youth scout group from “Up,” right alongside a sticker of a green, three-eyed Pizza Planet alien from “Toy Story.”
Additionally, keep an eye out once Mabel hops into her robotic beaver body and explores the wilderness. In a fun cross-studio nod, you can spot a skunk and a rabbit hanging out together: a classic tribute to Flower and Thumper from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ masterpiece, “Bambi.” There is even a subtle nod to internet history with a quick send-up of the famous “And they were roommates!” Vine meme.
These hidden details prove that Pixar is still deeply committed to honoring its history and the legendary artists who built the studio. Grab your remote, get cozy, and see how many of these you can spot on your next watch!
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.