There's a hidden code found in nearly all Pixar movies you probably didn't know about
Topics: TV And Film, Disney
Gregory Robinson
Featured Image Credit: Pixar
Topics: TV And Film, Disney
Did you know that there’s a code hidden in nearly all Pixar movies?
It’s one of those classic Pixar Easter eggs (if you blink, you’ll miss it), but once you know what to look for, you’ll start spotting it everywhere.
This seemingly random combination of a letter and numbers can be found on a freight train in Cars, on a camera used by the scuba diver who captures the titular clownfish in Finding Nemo, among other nooks and crannies.
And some eagle-eyed Pixar fanatics have spotted this hidden code, meticulously compiling every appearance from the films and sharing their findings over the years on social media forums, like Reddit.
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The code we’re talking about is A113. It can be seen in several different Pixar scenes, including the licence plate of Andy’s mum’s car, a tag on the ear of a rat in Ratatouille, and Luca’s train ticket in Luca.
So, what does it all mean?
A113 is an Easter egg tradition that has been included in Pixar films as a homage to a classroom at CalArts, the private art school where former Pixar/Disney executive John Lasseter, director Brad Bird, Pixar's creative officer Pete Docter, and animator Henry Selick, among other alums from the film company, went to.
So next time you sit down to enjoy one of Pixar’s masterpieces, keep your eyes peeled, as you never know where A113 might pop up.
If you want a more comprehensive list, then here's every instance it shows up in chronological order:
Toy Story (1995)
License plate on Andy’s mom’s (Mrs. Davis) minivan.
A Bug’s Life (1998)
Code on a cereal box as Flik enters Bug City.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Same license plate on the minivan. 'LassetAir flight A113' announcement in the airport.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
On the news broadcast: one newscaster shaped like “A”, another like “1”, and “13” in the background—forming A113.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Model code 'A-113' on the diver’s underwater camera.
The Incredibles (2004)
Conference room number in Syndrome’s lair. Mr. Incredible imprisoned on Level A1, Cell 13.
Cars (2006)
Appears on the freight train that almost crashes into Lightning. Mater’s license plate.
Ratatouille (2007)
Lab rat Git’s ear tag reads 'A113.' Appears on a TV train in a background scene.
WALL-E (2008)
Directive A113 was given to Auto to prevent it from returning to Earth.
Up (2009)
The number of the courtroom where Carl Fredricksen is summoned.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
License plate on Mrs. Davis’s vehicle.
Cars 2 (2011)
Mater’s license plate. Siddeley’s tail number. On a photo of Miles Axlerod’s engine.
Brave (2012)
Roman numerals ACXIII carved above the witch’s cottage entrance.
Monsters University (2013)
The lecture hall number where Mike and Sulley attend their first class.
Inside Out (2015)
Riley’s new classroom number. Graffiti on a building in San Francisco.
The Good Dinosaur (2015)
Sticks in Arlo’s family farm fence form A113.
Finding Dory (2016)
Seals Rudder and Fluke have tags labelled 'A1' and '13'. Truck license plate reads “CALA113”.
Cars 3 (2017)
Mater’s license plate. Sterling’s office number.
Coco (2017)
Record in Miguel’s attic labelled A-113—door of the 'Bureau of Family Grievances' in the Land of the Dead.
Incredibles 2 (2018)
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Vintage A113 sign in the antique store.
Onward (2020)
Audio reference: “we got a one-one-three in progress.”
Soul (2020)
Street sign in the 'Hall of Everything.'
Luca (2021)
Train ticket seat number to Genoa.
Turning Red (2022)
'Professional Model A113' on Mei’s dad’s line chalker. On 4*TOWN concert tickets during the credits.
Lightyear (2022)
Painted on a building outside Alisha Hawthorne’s office window.
Elemental (2023)
Teaser: 'Now Approaching Element City' sign hides it chemically (H = 1, Al = 13)—room number at City Hall.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
ACXIII (Roman numerals) above the secure vault door holding secret emotions.
Elio (2025)
'Area 113' patch on Elio’s camouflage backpack.