There’s nothing like discovering a well-placed Easter egg in your favorite movie. These clever, often hidden details add an extra layer of charm and depth for fans who pay attention. Whether it’s a subtle nod to another film, a behind-the-scenes reference, or a playful joke, Easter eggs transform a simple movie-watch into a delightful treasure hunt. And the best part? They create the perfect excuse to re-watch your favorite scenes (again and again).

Here are some of the most mind-blowing movie Easter eggs that likely flew under your radar the first time around. Prepare to look at these films in a whole new light!

1. R2-D2 and C-3PO in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

The collaboration between Steven Spielberg and George Lucas in the creation of the Indiana Jones series led to one of the most iconic Easter eggs in movie history. While Raiders of the Lost Ark tells the gripping tale of Indiana Jones searching for the Ark of the Covenant, did you catch the subtle nod to a galaxy far, far away?

During the Well of Souls sequence, take a look at the hieroglyphics on the walls. Among the ancient carvings are none other than beloved Star Wars droids R2-D2 and C-3PO. This delightful nod serves as a playful crossover symbolizing the friendship and creative synergy between Spielberg and Lucas.

2. Pixar’s Luxo Ball and A113

Pixar’s films are a goldmine for Easter egg enthusiasts, and two recurring items have practically become tradition. First, there’s the iconic Luxo Ball (a yellow ball with a blue stripe and a red star), originally featured in the Pixar short Luxo Jr. in 1986. The ball sneaks into numerous films, including Toy Story, Monsters University, and Inside Out.

Then there’s the frequent appearance of A113, a cryptic code referencing an animation classroom at the California Institute of the Arts. It appears in everything from license plates (Toy Story) to room numbers (Finding Nemo). These Easter eggs tie Pixar’s entire filmography together in a way that feels both personal and heartwarming.

3. The Overlook Hotel Carpet in “Toy Story”

Pixar’s love for film history also extends to an unsettling nod to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. If you’ve ever found Sid’s home in Toy Story particularly creepy, there’s a good reason. The carpet in his house features the same hexagonal pattern as the Overlook Hotel’s infamous hallways in The Shining.

This chilling detail subtly enhances the eerie and chaotic vibe of Sid’s home, while giving horror fans something to smile at during a seemingly family-friendly movie.

4. The X-Men in “Deadpool 2”

While Deadpool is famous for breaking the fourth wall, the sequel cranked up its Easter egg game with some jaw-dropping cameos. The most surprising? An unmissable (yet easy-to-miss) appearance by the X-Men.

Midway through Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson laments how the X-Mansion constantly feels deserted. During his rant, eagle-eyed viewers catch the main X-Men—Professor X, Beast, Cyclops, and Quicksilver, among others—in the background, casually shutting a door behind him. It’s a hilarious meta joke that winks at Fox Studios’ reluctance to expand Deadpool’s supporting cast.

5. Stan Lee’s Marvel Multiverse Connection

Stan Lee’s cameos are legendary across Marvel’s cinematic outings, but did you know they’re also part of a larger Easter egg? Fans theorized for years that Lee plays the same character across the MCU, a cosmic being who watches and records events.

This theory gained legitimacy in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. During a mid-credits scene, Stan Lee is seen conversing with a group of Watchers (mysterious characters tasked with observing the multiverse). It’s an ingenious nod to the Marvel creator’s omnipresence in the franchise and cements his role as the ultimate observer.

6. Starbucks Cups Everywhere in “Fight Club”

David Fincher’s Fight Club is a meticulous cinematic masterpiece, and its critique of consumer culture extends to an unusual detail. Nearly every single scene includes a Starbucks cup somewhere in the frame. Seriously, once you notice it, you’ll see them everywhere.

Fincher reportedly added the cups as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the spread of corporate branding and globalization. It’s the ultimate joke for a film centered on societal rebellion against mass consumerism.

7. The License Plate Clue in “Back to the Future”

The Delorean from Back to the Future is packed with small details, but one of the cleverest lies in its license plate. At the start of the film, the plate reads “OUTATIME,” clearly referencing the fact that the vehicle is a time machine.

However, there’s a hidden surprise during the scene where Marty travels to the 1950s. When the plate falls off the car, it briefly spins and lands face-up, playfully reinforcing its clever design before disappearing into history. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it touch of genius.

8. Totoro in “Toy Story 3”

Pixar is no stranger to tributes, and one of their most endearing Easter eggs comes in Toy Story 3. Amid Woody, Buzz, and the gang’s adventures, audiences can spot a new stuffed animal in Bonnie’s closet. Believe it or not, it’s Totoro, the lovable forest spirit from Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro!

This charming nod is a subtle gesture of admiration for Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. It’s a delightful treat for fans of both animation studios.

9. Peter Jackson’s Cameo in “Hot Fuzz”

Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz is bursting with fast-paced humor and surprising cameos, but one of the most unexpected involves filmmaker Peter Jackson. Jackson appears briefly in the role of an axe-wielding Santa Claus, attacking main character Nicholas Angel during the film’s flashback sequence.

The cameo is so quick that most viewers miss it entirely, but eagle-eyed fans of The Lord of the Rings director will appreciate this hidden gem!

10. The Chess Game in “The Thing”

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a sci-fi horror masterpiece, brimming with tension and paranoia. But did you catch the clever Easter egg in the opening scene? R.J. MacReady (played by Kurt Russell) plays a computer chess game and, frustrated at losing, pours his drink into the machine to destroy it.

What’s interesting is the small detail that foreshadows the film’s themes. The chess game symbolizes how “trust” is the key to survival, foreshadowing the group’s inability to work together and calling back the film’s tagline, “Man is the warmest place to hide.”