Pixar’s movies are well-known and well-loved for a number of reasons, including their ability to weave in clever Easter eggs such as the Luxo ball. Aside from creating stories that are masterfully animated and tug at the heartstrings of audiences of all ages, Pixar is known for its immense creativity in the way it weaves its history throughout its films. Not only is it a great way to honor their past, but these Easter eggs have become a bit of a game for viewers.
The Luxo ball is a yellow ball with red stars and a thick blue stripe that was first introduced in the Luxo Jr. short. Since then, it has become an iconic part of Pixar films and has made an appearance in almost every single one. As Pixar continues to evolve and tell more beautiful stories to audiences, many traditions have been kept alive. From Pixar’s Pizza Planet truck to A113, Pixar finds clever ways to thread who they once were into who they are becoming. For those who want to keep their eye on the ball as they watch their favorite Pixar film, here is where to find the Luxo ball Easter egg in every Pixar feature film.
23 Toy Story
As the first-ever Pixar feature movie, Toy Story began an iconic lineup of beloved and timeless animated movies. It also began the long-standing tradition of the Luxo ball finding its way into almost every Pixar film. In Toy Story, the ball appears multiple times. The first is when it rolls down the hallway of Andy’s house, while Sarge works to help a wounded toy soldier that is stuck in a plant. The next time is when one of Andy’s friends bounces it up the stairs. The third, and most memorable, instance is when Buzz is trying to prove to the other toys that he is able to fly, and he bounces off it after taking a leap from Andy’s bed.
22 Toy Story 2
Skipping 1998’s A Bug’s Life for reasons unknown, the Luxo ball tradition continued with 1999’s Toy Story 2. Just like in the original Toy Story, Toy Story 2 has multiple instances of the Luxo ball appearing. The first is in a TV commercial for Al’s Toy Barn. The second appearance is when the toys are entering the toy store. When they do, audiences can see that there is one ball on the floor as well as a whole box of classic balls.
21 Monsters, Inc.
The Luxo ball found its way into 2001’s Monsters, Inc. in a fun and natural way. Audiences are able to spot the Luxo ball on the floor of Boo’s room in Monsters, Inc., along with her other toys. A cool thing to note is that viewers can see the Luxo ball as Boo shows Sulley her Jesse doll (a nod to the Toy Story franchise).
20 Finding Nemo
This Luxo ball Easter egg can be a little bit harder to spot, but it really does exist. If they look close enough, Finding Nemo viewers can spot it in the overflowing toy chest that is located in Philip Sherman’s waiting room. That is not the only Easter egg in this scene, as there is also a Buzz Lightyear action figure lying in front of the chest.
19 The Incredibles
The existence of the Luxo ball Easter egg in The Incredibles is a bit more complicated than in other Pixar films. The ball can be seen in the alternate opening of the 2004 film, as one of Violet’s toys. It can also be seen in the Pixar short, Jack-Jack Attack. The ball can be seen as Jack-Jack plays with his toys on the ground.
18 Wall-E
Wall-E switches things up a bit in the Luxo department. Instead of the classic Luxo ball, viewers can spot the Luxo lamp. It is used as an arm of the statue of Eve that Wall-E creates. Although it’s different from what audiences may have expected, it continued the tradition when other Pixar movies dropped the ball. It also began a new wave of the Luxo ball being incorporated in different forms than its original ball, which carried on throughout multiple movies.
17 Up
Arguably one of the saddest Pixar movies of all time, Up did make viewers happy by including the Luxo ball Easter egg tradition not once but twice. The first time audiences can spot the ball is in a little girl’s bedroom as Carl’s house floats outside of her window. In this scene, viewers can also spot a Lots-o-Huggin bear, an Easter egg for the upcoming Toy Story 3. The second time is quite creative, as it is seen as a merit badge on Russell’s Wilderness Explorer’s sash.
16 Toy Story 3
Released in 2010, the Luxo ball Easter egg trend found its way into a new decade through Toy Story 3, the franchise’s highly-anticipated and heart-wrenching threequel. The ball was first seen in the Toy Story 3 teaser, but that wasn’t the only time. It was presented as a design on a tile on the side of Sunnyside Daycare. In addition, it was used as a volleyball by Chunk and next to the Jack-in-the-Box in the end credits of the film.
15 Brave
Cars 2 continued the trend of keeping the Luxo ball out of Radiator Springs. This means that the next Luxo ball spotting was in 2012’s Brave. This one is another one that’s very tricky to spot, especially if one doesn’t know where to spot it. Those who look hard enough can find a wooden version of the Luxo ball in the witch’s cottage when Merida comes to visit her.
14 Monsters University
2013’s Monsters University was long-awaited and delivered in many ways, including in the inclusion of the Luxo ball. Although not present in physical form, the Luxo ball can definitely be seen. It is drawn on as graffiti on a wall that can be viewed during one of the biggest scenes of the movie, the Scare Games.
13 Inside Out
One of the most poignant Pixar films in the line-up, 2015’s Inside Out, continued the Luxo ball Easter egg tradition. During one of the multiple flashbacks present throughout the movie, Riley and her silly, pink imaginary friend, Bing Bong, were playing an exciting game of tag. Viewers can see the Luxo ball on the floor among young Riley’s other toys. Inside Out 2 is in the works, and the surprising sequel will surely include Pixar’s classic Luxo ball, too.
12 The Good Dinosaur
Although one of the least popular Pixar movies in the line-up, The Good Dinosaur did continue the beloved Luxo ball Easter egg convention. One of the oddest scenes in the movie is when Arlo and Spot get high off of fallen fruit. The two begin hallucinating a number of things, one of which is a Luxo ball that is flying past them. While a weird way of including the Easter egg, it’s nice that the tradition was able to continue.
11 Finding Dory
Over the years, Pixar has had to get mighty creative in how they include the Luxo ball Easter eggs in their films. One of the most unique and innovative ways they kept the tradition alive was in 2016’s highly-anticipated Finding Dory. While the Luxo ball is usually yellow and bouncy, it was present in a different form in this movie. It was seen as a design on a quarantined truck’s steering wheel, although not in its usual colors–in fact, it could just as easily be argued that this was a nod to Captain America’s shield. This is an example of how, oftentimes, Pixar’s Easter eggs are not able to be spotted by most, unless they know exactly what to look for.
10 Cars 3
While the Luxo ball was noticeably absent from both Cars and Cars 2, the red, blue, and yellow ball made its way over in 2017’s Cars 3. In the movie, the classic ball is painted onto a demolition derby racer named Bill. The car is also painted in the ball’s iconic colors and has the balls on its wheels. In addition, there is the number 86 painted on his side. While this may just seem like any old number, it is actually the year the ball debuted in the short Pixar film, Luxo Jr.
9 Coco
The Luxo ball managed to find its way to Mexico and made an appearance in the 2017 Pixar film, Coco. Coco is filled with Easter eggs, so it’s no surprise that the film included this traditional one. Similar to previous Pixar movies, the Luxo ball comes in a different form than audiences may be used to. In this case, it was in the form of a Mexican wrestling mask which is fitting for the movie. The mask is bright yellow, with blue eyes, and a big red star on the forehead.
8 Incredibles 2
Although the Luxo ball didn’t technically make an appearance in The Incredibles, it did in the 2018 sequel. Since it took 14 years to make its way to the theaters, though, audiences did expect the creators to have enough time to include the Easter egg. In the movie, the Luxo ball can be seen as part of the design of Jack-Jack’s crib. The crib has a seal that is balancing the ball on the tip of his nose. This was definitely one of the most adorable and creative ways to incorporate the Luxo ball into a Pixar film.
7 Toy Story 4
2019’s Toy Story 4 was full of Easter Eggs from beginning to end, so it’s no surprise that the Luxo ball was one of them. Rounding out a decade of stellar Pixar films, the movie highlighted its creativity by how it chose to feature the Luxo ball. It was presented in two different ways, and the first was in an antique shop. The second was a bit more unique, as it was seen on the toy rockets on a wall of carnival prizes that Buzz got accidentally strapped to. Whether the Luxo ball will appear in the upcoming Toy Story 5 is difficult to say, but it most likely will.
6 Onward
While not the most popular Pixar film, Onward did a great job of leaving a trail of Easter eggs. One of which was, of course, the Luxo ball. Pixar got a bit sneaky with how they added it in, most likely to give eagle-eyed viewers a harder challenge. It was located in the Manticore’s Tavern and attached to a metal shield. Here, it is not the normal colors but rather dark bronze and silver.
5 Soul
Another example of Pixar switching things up and hiding the Luxo ball Easter egg in a creative way is in 2019’s Soul. In the movie, the ball can be spotted in 22’s cardboard box home. At first glance, it can be super easy to miss, but it is located to the left of the sink and the couch. It’s not in its usual Luxo ball coloring and is actually more translucent, to fit in with the scene.
4 Luca
If a viewer wants to catch this Luxo ball Easter egg, there’s not enough time to blink. In 2021’s Luca, the Luxo ball is indeed present but for a very short amount of time. It can be seen in a brief aerial shot of the Italian Riviera during a bike race. It is located on top of a tiled rooftop balcony.
