Pixar consistently delights audiences by embedding Easter eggs and nods to their previous films in every new release, and Hoppers is no exception. This sci-fi adventure centers on Mabel, who transfers her consciousness into a beaver robot in a quest to rescue a unique glade by returning other animals to their home.
This film is entirely original, crafted by the animation studio, yet it still manages to connect with previous titles. You’ll find delightful nods to earlier Pixar and Disney films throughout. Notably, one scene strongly ties into the enduring Pixar Shared Universe Theory.
Although it may be challenging to notice them all during your initial viewing, the Easter eggs become easier to identify with repeated watches. Here is a compilation of all the Easter eggs from Hoppers that have been discovered up to this point.
Hoppers’ 9 Easter Eggs & Pixar Movie References
1) A113
Pixar has a fondness for including Easter eggs from it’s past (or even future) films, but it also takes pride in showcasing its origins. It has become a tradition for audiences to spot “A113” in the studio’s releases, which refers to the classroom at the California Institute of the Arts where many of the studio’s most notable figures, such as John Lasseter, Pete Docter, and Brad Bird, honed their craft.
In the film Hoppers, A113 is cleverly used as the room number for Dr. Sam’s lab. Given that this lab is located at Beaverton University, the reference is particularly appropriate. A113 has truly come full circle, representing a college classroom.
2) Avatar
The most overt allusion in Hoppers is to Avatar. In the film, Mabel explicitly mentions James Cameron’s sci-fi franchise as she begins to grasp the workings of Dr. Sam’s Hoppers technology. She draws a direct parallel to the Avatar movies, a comparison that Dr. Sam quickly dismisses, asserting, “It’s nothing like Avatar!”
However, despite Dr. Sam’s dismissal, the parallels between Hoppers and Avatar are unmistakable. Both narratives involve a human protagonist whose consciousness is transferred into another body to establish a connection with a different lifeform.
In Avatar, this lifeform is the Na’vi, while in Hoppers, it encompasses all animals. Additionally, both stories explore themes of environmentalism and critique capitalism. These parallels would have emerged regardless of the Avatar mention, but at least now Hoppers demonstrates a level of self-awareness by attempting to confront it.
3) Thumper & Flower From Bambi
Once Mabel steps into her robot beaver body for the first time and ventures into the wilderness, she is immediately greeted by a variety of animals. As she joyfully runs around, marveling at her newfound ability to understand them, Hoppers cleverly includes a reference to Bambi.
While there are deer present in Hoppers, none resemble Bambi directly. Nonetheless, we do spot a skunk and a rabbit together, which appears to be a tribute to Flower and Thumper from the beloved 1942 Disney animated classic.
4) Up’s Talking Dog Collar
The conclusion of Hoppers is filled with Easter eggs, particularly a chalkboard in Dr. Sam’s lab that displays her additional invention ideas following the shutdown of the Hoppers program. The most noticeable reference is to the talking dog collar from Up.
Prominently placed in the center of the chalkboard and encircled in a large circle, “Idea #113” (which may cleverly nod to A113) illustrates Sam’s concept for a collar that converts a dog’s barks into spoken words. This collar is just like the one worn by Dug and other dogs in Up.
If the Pixar Shared Universe Theory holds any truth, it implies that Sam played a role in the development of this technology. Dug mentioned that Charles F. Muntz invented the collar in Up, but it’s possible he was either mistaken or unaware of the complete narrative.
5) Wall – E
The first concept on Dr. Sam’s chalkboard is Idea #8, which pertains to a type of cleaning robot. This cleaning robot’s design closely resembles the titular robot from WALL-E. Considering the Pixar Shared Universe Theory, this suggests that Dr. Sam could be the creator of WALL-E.
She might develop the patent and then sell it to buy n large for large-scale production. Additionally, there is a second robot depicted as Idea #12, featuring a polishing bar. Although it’s function differs, one of the figures bears a resemblance to EVE.
6) Sox From Lightyear
Following the exploration of robotic animals through the Hoppers program, it’s no wonder that another concept from Dr. Sam aligns with this innovative thinking. Positioned at the bottom left of the chalkboard, Idea #92 proposes a robotic feline companion that bears a striking resemblance to Sox from Lightyear.
Sox, the robotic cat featured in the film, serves as a companion to Buzz Lightyear, utilized by Star Command. Depending on your perspective regarding the significance of the chalkboard, this could suggest that Dr. Sam has created a real-life version of Sox, which may have subsequently influenced the movie that led to the creation of the Buzz Lightyear toys.
7) Up’s Flying Dogs
There is a humorous second reference to Up on Dr. Sam’s chalkboard. Just beneath the idea for the talking dog collar, we find Idea #206, which depicts a dog in an airplane, accompanied by the caption, “What if we trained dogs to fly?”
This clearly nods to the conclusion of Up, where Muntz’s canine army takes to the skies in planes. However, Dr. Sam appears to have deemed this notion absurd. Following the initial inquiry, the board states, “Too far? Too far.” It seems she wouldn’t be a fan of Up’s finale or the flying skills of the dogs.
8) Cars
In what could be a significant hint, Hoppers’ chalkboard features a Cars Easter egg. In the top right corner, there’s a diagram of a human brain with an arrow leading to a car. It appears that Idea #52 is suggesting the concept of embedding human consciousness within a vehicle.
Considering the Pixar Shared Universe theory, it’s plausible that Dr. Sam is the mastermind behind the world portrayed in Cars.
She might have discovered a method to integrate human brains into cars, fundamentally altering the trajectory of humanity. This revelation could clarify the numerous inquiries regarding how cars achieved sentience within this theory.
9) Monsters Inc.’s Energy Technology
Finally, Dr. Sam’s chalkboard features Idea #43 in the bottom right corner. Her overarching concept arises from the inquiry of whether vocal sounds can be converted into energy.
In simpler terms, this is the fundamental technology that powers Monsters, Inc. What makes this Hoppers Easter egg particularly fascinating is the suggestion that Dr. Sam may have either invented the technology utilized by the monsters or that she has independently conceived the same idea that they have been employing for years.
If the latter holds true, all Dr. Sam needs to do is venture into the monsters’ realm to discover that her idea is indeed feasible.