Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Toy Story 5.
Pixar has always loved rewarding attentive viewers. From subtle callbacks to hidden references and connections across its films, the studio has built a reputation for packing its movies with Easter eggs. Over the years, fans have spotted everything from future movie teases to recurring visual motifs, helping fuel countless theories about a shared Pixar universe.
Toy Story 5 proudly continues that tradition. Drawing from more than three decades of franchise history, the film is packed with nods to earlier Toy Story movies, references to other Pixar projects, and a few surprises that longtime fans will instantly appreciate. Here are some of the biggest Easter eggs hidden throughout the film.
The Classic Toy Story Clouds Make a Return
Few visuals are as iconic to the franchise as the fluffy white clouds painted across Andy’s bedroom walls in the original Toy Story. The image became so closely associated with the series that Toy Story 3 ended with a memorable shot of similar clouds.
In Toy Story 5, the beloved design quietly returns. When Woody reunites with Buzz in Bonnie’s room, viewers can briefly spot clouds drawn on a small chalkboard behind them, recreating the classic look from Andy’s room.
Combat Carl Returns Once Again
Fans may remember Combat Carl as the unfortunate action figure Sid blew up in the original film. The character later returned in Toy Story of Terror and Toy Story 4, voiced by the late Carl Weathers.
Toy Story 5 introduces another version of Combat Carl among Blaze’s collection of forgotten outdoor toys. Following Weathers’ passing, the character is now voiced by Ernie Hudson, ensuring the fan-favorite toy remains part of the franchise.
A Transformers-Inspired Toy Appears
The Toy Story universe has always blended real toy brands with fictional creations. This time, viewers are introduced to a robot toy that strongly resembles a Transformer.
The toy, abandoned alongside several others as children become increasingly attached to tablets and technology, transforms into a jet aircraft. Whether it’s officially meant to be a Transformer or simply Pixar’s playful nod to the famous franchise remains unclear. The reference feels even more fitting considering Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley later directed Transformers One.
A Surprise Music Star Cameo
While much of the attention surrounding the film’s soundtrack focused on Taylor Swift’s contribution, she doesn’t actually appear in the movie itself.
Instead, the celebrity cameo comes from Bad Bunny, who voices Pizza with Sunglasses, a quirky pepperoni pizza toy found among Blaze’s abandoned toys. The character even gets a memorable moment during the post-credit scene, where he joins several toys for a brief musical performance.
Pixar Revisits the Spy Genre
When Blaze begins playing with Jessie and the Double A gang, the story quickly transforms into a full-fledged spy adventure.
Jessie becomes Agent Clysdale, secret missions unfold, a hidden villain emerges, and a ticking bomb becomes central to the plot. The setup bears a striking resemblance to Cars 2, Pixar’s spy-themed sequel that featured many of the same story elements, including undercover missions, betrayal, and bomb-related suspense.
It feels like a playful acknowledgement that Pixar still has a soft spot for espionage stories.
Zurg Is Still Buzz’s Father
One of the funniest callbacks in the film arrives when Buzz attempts to convince an army of advanced Buzz Lightyear figures that they are toys, not actual space rangers.
After finally getting through to them, he casually reveals that Emperor Zurg is their father. The reaction is immediate, with every Buzz responding in disbelief.
The joke directly references Toy Story 2, which famously parodied Darth Vader’s iconic revelation in The Empire Strikes Back. Even after all these years, Star Wars continues to influence the Toy Story universe.
Buzz Finally Gets to Fly
Ever since Buzz declared, “This isn’t flying. It’s falling with style,” fans have associated the character with one of animation’s most memorable scenes.
More than three decades later, Toy Story 5 finally allows Buzz to experience actual flight.
During the film’s climax, Lilypad activates a special feature hidden inside the new Buzz Lightyear toys by scanning a QR code. Their wings deploy, revealing that they’re equipped with drone technology. As the Buzz figures take to the sky, Woody and Buzz jokingly describe it as “flying with style,” bringing the famous line full circle.
The Year of the Horse Connection
Since Toy Story 5 arrives during the Chinese Zodiac’s Year of the Horse, horses appear throughout the movie in surprisingly prominent ways.
Bullseye naturally plays a major role, but Blaze’s collection also includes numerous horse-themed toys that become important during the finale. Blaze even owns a real horse on her family’s property.
Whether intentional or coincidental, the recurring horse imagery stands out and may have been designed with international audiences in mind.
Jessie and Lilypad Reflect Woody and Buzz
At its heart, Toy Story 5 mirrors many of the themes from the original film.
Jessie effectively takes over Woody’s role as the established favorite toy, while Lilypad serves as the technologically advanced newcomer who immediately captures Bonnie’s attention. Their first confrontation even takes place on Bonnie’s bed, echoing Woody and Buzz’s initial meeting in Andy’s room.
Like their predecessors, the two characters begin as rivals before gradually developing mutual respect and friendship.
Pizza Planet Is Still Going Strong
No Toy Story movie would feel complete without a Pizza Planet reference.
The famous Pizza Planet truck has become one of Pixar’s most recurring Easter eggs, appearing across countless films in various forms. In Toy Story 5, the truck briefly drives past as Jessie, Woody, Buzz, and the army of Buzz Lightyears race after Lilypad.
When Jessie shouts “Car!” and the toys instantly freeze, it’s the iconic Pizza Planet vehicle that passes by.
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It’s a small moment, but one that continues one of Pixar’s longest-running traditions and proves that Pizza Planet is still alive and well in the Toy Story universe.
