You've most likely seen the movie "Finding Nemo." In fact, you've probably seen it multiple times since its release in 2003. Maybe even dozens of times. You might have even watched it again recently in preparation for the sequel, Finding Nemo: Dory, which hits theaters on June 17. But even though you're familiar with the blockbuster that's one of Pixar's most critically, commercially and culturally successful films, I bet there are still things about "Finding Nemo" that you may have never noticed.
I'm sure you all believe yourselves to be Finding Nemo experts, but Pixar animators are notoriously cunning and clever. For example, did you notice that Toy Story villain Sid made a cameo as an adult in Toy Story 3 ? Or that code A113 appears in every Pixar film as a reference to the animation department at CalArts, where several of the studio's founders took classes? Or does "Toy Story 2" contain explicit "A Bug's Life" references? Do you remember that A Bug's Life is real? Finding Nemo is no different with these clever Easter eggs and visual gags, so check out these 11 things you never noticed in Finding Nemo and check them out while watching Finding Nemo: Dory Relive the magic before.
1.A113
Let’s start with the most obvious. In this case, the code is displayed on an underwater camera.
2. Pizza Planet Truck
Like the A113, the Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story has appeared in every Pixar movie. This was seen outside a dentist's office.
3. Buzz Lightyear guest appearance
Hidden among the toys in the dentist's office is none other than Buzz himself.
4. Guest appearance by Mr. Incredible
A boy in a dentist's office waiting room is reading an "Incredibles" comic book—even though "The Incredibles" wasn't published until the following year.
5. Boo’s cell phone in Monsters, Inc.
The dental office is a very busy place. In the examination room, the cell phone hanging from the ceiling was identical to the one seen in Bu's bedroom.
6. Guest appearance by Mike Wazowski
During the film's closing credits, the "Monsters, Inc." star can be seen swimming by.
7. Luigi’s cameo
Cars wouldn't premiere for another three years, so this character's cameo is just to show you how long it took for these movies to be made.
8. Mermaid in Knick Knack’s cameo
Not all cameos focus on the future. You guessed it, this 1989 Pixar short features a mermaid who suddenly appears in a dentist's office.
9. Turtle flower
The turtle shells all have different flowers on them, modeled after Hawaiian shirts.
10. Dental Diploma
Zooming in on the dental diplomas on the office wall reveals some pretty silly honors, like the "Most Likely to Retreat Gums Award" and the "Toothless Grin Award."
11. Ship name
Most of the ships in Sydney Harbor are named after Pixar staff members, including one named after the Pixar short film "Birds."
Unless you have an unusually keen eye, you've probably never noticed much of what's hidden in Finding Nemo . Hopefully Finding Nemo is as smart as placing its own hidden treasures!
Image: Walt Disney Pictures
