Hidden In Plain Sight
Every so often, movie directors hide references to other movies in their projects or even include hidden cameos. Sometimes, these Easter eggs are intentionally framed or focused on, but other times, they are obscured and obvious only to viewers who are looking closely, making them all the more satisfying to find.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Robert Kurtzman and Quentin Tarantino, From Dusk Till Dawn has many great references. One example is when Seth (George Clooney) picks up an order from Big Kahuna Burger, a restaurant featured in many Tarantino films, but originally in this next one.
Miramax, From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is full of Easter eggs, including a scene where Mia (Uma Thurman) details a TV pilot she filmed and the characters included. Unbeknownst to then-new audiences, the characters match up with those in Quentin Tarantino’s later film, Kill Bill Vol 1. Surprisingly, this film had an Easter egg in another very different movie.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Beyond Danny Pudi’s cameo due to the Russo Brothers’ time working on Community, this Captain America sequel references a main actor’s previous role. At the end of the film, the gravestone of Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) features Ezekiel 25:17, Jackson’s famous Pulp Fiction quote. Of course, Marvel movies are overflowing with Easter eggs.
Marvel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The MCU has countless connections to its other movies and the comics they’re based on. Spider-Man: Homecoming is no different, featuring a cameo by Aaron Davis (Donald Glover), who mentions his nephew. Comic fans immediately knew he was talking about the eventual Spider-Man successor, Miles Morales, who’s also the hero of this next film.
Marvel, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Being a multiverse story, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse features many Easter eggs and references to other works. One of the most interesting ones is the multiverse machine that kicks off the whole story, an isotopic genome accelerator, which was the cause of the radioactive spider that turned Peter Parker in his first comic.
Marvel, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Starring famed Marvel actor Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman’s end credits contain a subtle reference to his X-Men character. As the credits play, an elegant pattern lines the borders and corners of the screen, including a design showing Wolverine’s arms crossed with his iconic claws.
Twentieth Century, The Greatest Showman (2017)
Doctor Strange (2016)
In 1968, Pink Floyd recorded their album A Saucerful of Secrets and became the first band to pay homage to Doctor Strange by including his comic artwork on the cover. The film reciprocated this honor, including their song “Interstellar Overdrive” as Strange embarks on his fateful drive. Of course, DC movies are no strangers to including easter eggs either.
Aquaman (2018)
Before Aquaman, director James Wan thrived in the horror genre. For his superhero debut, he included a small Easter egg in the form of the iconic haunted doll, Annabelle, from his The Conjuring universe. Her appearance happens as Aquaman (Jason Mamoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) search the ocean floor, with Annabelle lying in the garbage.
Watchmen (2009)
Although a DC project, Watchmen takes place in an alternate universe. One Easter egg subtly references this when, in the opening montage, Nite-Owl (Patrick Wilson) saves a couple from an armed robber. Director Zack Snyder confirmed these are Bruce Wayne’s parents, but this isn’t the only film with a Batman reference.
I Am Legend (2007)
In the post-apocalyptic I Am Legend, among the ruins of New York, one of the buildings features a giant poster for a Batman vs Superman movie. While Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was later released, this was not an actual reference to it, as it wouldn’t come along for another nine years. Of course, this isn’t the only Will Smith movie on this list.
Warner Bros., I Am Legend (2007)
The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
It’s always a classy touch when a biopic can include its real-life subject. The Pursuit of Happyness tells the inspiring true story of Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his son (Jaden Smith), but it has a more concrete connection to him. At the film’s end, the real Christopher Gardner makes a cameo and walks by the two of them.
Columbia, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones and Star Wars share several aspects, including having George Lucas as a writer and starring Harrison Ford. As such, Raiders of the Lost Ark contains a very subtle reference, with a hieroglyphic engraving of R2-D2 and C-3PO marking a pillar in the Ark of the Covenant’s chamber. However, this isn’t the only Easter egg of its kind.
Paramount, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)
The Indiana Jones/Star Wars references continue less subtly in this sequel. Toward the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the titular hero and his companions escape from a Shanghai nightclub, revealing its name as “Club Obi-Wan”. Of course, Star Wars films have their own creative Easter eggs.
Paramount, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have worked extensively together, including Lucas’ writing on the Indiana Jones films. The Phantom Menace, however, references one of Spielberg’s other movies. During a scene where the Galactic Senate is deliberating, a group of aliens are present that are clearly the same race as in ET the Extra-Terrestrial.
Twentieth Century, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
During a scene where stormtroopers enter a room on the Death Star, one bumps his head on the doorway, with later special editions adding a sound effect to match. This was due to the stormtrooper’s actor being distracted by a stomach ache, but it stayed in the film. Of course, plenty of other Disney projects contain fun Easter eggs.
Twentieth Century, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Frozen II (2019)
The Tangled easter egg in the first Frozen is pretty well-known by now, but Frozen 2 similarly contains other Disney movie references. In another flashback to Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa’s (Idina Menzel) childhood, Elsa creates several recognizable snow figures, including Baymax from Big Hero 6.
Toy Story (1995)
In the first three Toy Story films, Mr Potato Head is voiced by comedian Don Rickles. Near the beginning of the first movie, his character says the line, “What are you looking at, you hockey puck?” to a toy puck. This is referencing Rickles, who was known to call people “hockey pucks,” but the first Toy Story wasn’t the only one with Easter eggs.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Pixar is known for referencing its other movies, even when those movies haven’t come out yet. In Toy Story 3, a poster of an Aston Martin can be seen in the room as a subtle reference to Cars 2, which would be released the following year. In Cars 2, one of the main characters is Finn McMissile who, as a spy, was made to look like James Bond’s famous car.
Beetlejuice (1988)
While The Nightmare Before Christmas came out five years after this film, the stop-motion classic was already a concept, with Beetlejuice referencing it in one of its Easter eggs. When the titular demon appears near the end, wearing a circus outfit, Jack Skellington’s head can be seen on top of his hat. Surprisingly, this isn’t the only Skellington reference on this list.
Warner Bros., Beetlejuice (1988)
James And The Giant Peach (1996)
While Jack Skellington in Beetlejuice was due to Tim Burton, several other films feature the character as they share a director, Henry Selick, with The Nightmare Before Christmas. James and the Giant Peach includes a scene where the characters visit a sunken ship filled with skeletons, and its Captain is made to look very close to the Pumpkin King.
Walt Disney, James and the Giant Peach (1996)
The Birds (1963)
Some directors like to stay behind the camera, while others love filming cameos for each of their movies. At the beginning of The Birds, director Alfred Hitchcock can be seen walking dogs on the street, which were his actual dogs in real life. However, Hitchcock isn’t the only horror director to cameo in his films.
Scream (1996)
During a scene where Principal Himbry (Henry Winkler) finds the school janitor in the hallway, director Wes Craven plays a cameo as the janitor. Also, his outfit references Freddy Krueger from Craven’s other iconic A Nightmare on Elm Street series. Still, he isn’t the only horror legend to have a cameo in Scream.
Scream (1996)
When Sydney (Neve Campbell) is accosted by reporters, one of them may be familiar to horror fans. A reporter who demands answers from Sydney is played by Linda Blair, the star of horror classic The Exorcist. It proves that some of the best horror Easter eggs bridge the gap between reality and fiction.
Jaws (1975)
One of the most impactful horror movies in history, for good or bad, was Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, based on Peter Benchley’s novel. Benchley actually had a cameo in the film as a reporter, giving a news story on the beach.
IT (2017)
2017’s IT brought the Stephen King story back into the mainstream, but the first adaptation starring Tim Curry remains iconic. To honor this in the remake, when Richie (Finn Wolfhard) is trapped in a room full of dolls, one of the dolls is made to look like Curry’s version of Pennywise. However, this isn’t Curry’s last appearance on this list.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
So much went into the wild production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but one instance is rumored to have originated the term “Easter egg”. While filming, the cast created an actual Easter egg hunt, and since not all of them were found, some ended up in the final cut.
Twentieth Century, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Sam Raimi referenced another iconic horror franchise in this sequel when Ash (Bruce Campbell) searches the tool shed. Freddy Krueger’s knife glove is hanging inside, which may be more than an Easter egg since a comic was later released where the two universes crossed over.
Renaissance, Evil Dead II (1987)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick was known for putting the subtlest details and references into his films, including A Clockwork Orange. When Alex (Malcolm McDowell) is in a record store, the soundtrack for Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey can be seen among the other vinyls. However, this isn’t the last acclaimed classic on this list.
Warner Bros., A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Fight Club (1999)
Fans who pay attention will notice that throughout the film Fight Club, Starbucks cups are in pretty much every scene. Intended to mimic the widespread nature of corporate branding, this decision highlights the film’s commentary on consumer culture.
Twentieth Century, Fight Club (1999)
The Godfather (1972)
Oranges are featured in various scenes throughout The Godfather, but casual fans may not realize that each time they’re present, a character meets tragedy soon after. Surprisingly, this is a coincidence as they were simply a filmmaking choice to brighten up the set. Interestingly, this next film has a similar Easter egg.
Paramount, The Godfather (1972)
The Departed (2006)
The Departed features a symbol throughout the film that acts as a foreshadowing technique for certain grisly ends. Before various characters meet their demise, they can be seen surrounded by X’s, allowing vigilant viewers to see it coming.
Warner Bros., The Departed (2006)
Fargo (1996)
The Coen Brothers are another couple of filmmakers who like to insert Easter eggs in all their movies. In Fargo, there’s a fun meta detail towards the end of the movie when Carl (Steve Buscemi) says they have 30 minutes to wrap things up, as that’s how long is left in the movie.
Tango & Cash (1989)
It’s always cool when actors can reference their other roles. In Tango & Cash, after Tango (Sylvester Stallone) is likened to Rambo—another Stallone character—he replies by insulting Rambo instead. Of course, there are many action movies with great hidden easter eggs.
Warner Bros., Tango & Cash (1989)
John Wick (2014) & John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Viewers may notice that in the first two John Wick films, the same cars are parked outside The Continental, despite the films being released three years apart. This is because these films actually take place over four days of high-paced thrills in-universe. However, while this film just oozes action, these next movies add a bit of adventure to the mix.
Summit Entertainment, John Wick (2014)
Jurassic Park (1993)
In Jurassic Park, when the main characters are flying to the island, Alan (Sam Neill) has trouble fastening his seatbelt, as all he finds is two identical ends. Fed up, he just ties them across his waist as a piece of foreshadowing to the film’s theme of life finding a way.
Universal, Jurassic Park (1993)
Predator 2 (1990)
Despite being released 14 years before Alien vs Predator, Predator 2 features a crossover reference on the Predator’s ship, where a xenomorph skull can be seen. Since some consider it the weakest sequel in the series, this Easter egg may have been easily overlooked. Fortunately, this next sci-fi film has been received much better.
Twentieth Century, Predator 2 (1990)
Tron (1982)
In a film about video games, it’s no wonder that the filmmakers referenced one of the oldest ones. In a scene where a grid of the game is shown, a tiny yellow Pac-Man can be seen in the display. However, this isn’t the only movie about going inside a video game.
Ready Player One (2018)
Ready Player One was intentionally filled with as many Easter eggs and references to other iconic movies as possible. Some more subtle ones include the Space RV from Spaceballs shown in a workshop, the Holy Hand Grenade from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Street Fighter’s Chun-Li in the final battle.
Warner Bros., Ready Player One (2018)
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010)
Another video game-centric film, Scott Pilgrim vs the World contains countless references. However, a couple more obscure ones lie within the names of two prominent bands in the movie. Both The Clash at Demonhead and Crash and the Boys are named after NES games of the same name.
Universal, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)
While The Lord of the Rings contains many notable Easter eggs, there are a few great staples present in each film. Director Peter Jackson has a cameo in each one, each subtitle is spoken in its respective film, and the filmmakers chose to include the famous Wilhelm Scream in each installment—even die-hard fans tend to miss that last one.
