A certain number keeps appearing in animated movies and it's such a beautiful tribute

For those who grew up in the 90s, Pixar’s animated movies are nostalgic treasures. Sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of chips and watching films like "Toy Story," "Ratatouille," and "A Bug's Life" was a cherished pastime. Immersed in the animated scenes, we noticed talking objects, grassy meadows, and superheroes flying. But there’s something often overlooked, hidden in almost every Pixar movie: the mysterious code "A113."

Since Pixar and Disney began collaborating in 1986, they have produced films that captivate audiences of all ages. Featuring a variety of characters—human, anthropomorphic, cartoon, and mechanical—the movies present a dreamy world filled with state-of-the-art animation and insightful lessons. But beyond all this, there’s a strange codeword that appears in nearly every Pixar movie.

Pronounced “A One-Thirteen,” the code has appeared in some form in every Pixar film. From Andy’s mom’s car license plate in "Toy Story" to the truck’s nameplate in "Finding Dory," the code makes its cameo everywhere, even in non-Pixar films like "Avengers," "Hunger Games: Catching Fire," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," "The Simpsons," and "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol." This uncanny codeword is everywhere.

Considered one of the most famous Easter eggs in Pixar movies, the mysterious four-letter code even has its own Wikipedia page. The secret lies in the career background of the artists who create these spectacular animations. This codeword is their tribute to the place where many of them began their artistic careers.

"A1-13 was the animation classroom at California Institute of the Arts in the Character Animation Program," revealed John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, per NBC New York. "Cal Arts is one of the best animation schools... and a lot of the students... as they created films--short films and feature films, they've kind of hidden A113 in the movies."

Brad Bird, the Director of films like “The Incredibles,” and "Ratatouille," was the first to use A113 as an Easter egg. He carved it on a car license plate appearing in "Family Dog," an animated feature from the 1987 TV series "Amazing Stories."

Here are ten Pixar movies where the codeword “A113” has made its cameo.

1. Toy Story

The license plate number on Ms. Davis's minivan.

2. A Bug's Life

A113 can be seen on a cereal box as Flik enters the Bug City.

3. Finding Nemo

Code on the camera used by a scuba diver character.

4. The Incredibles

A room number in Syndrome's lair.

5. Cars

The code is displayed on Mater's license plate number.

6. Ratatouille

Git, the lab rat, has a tag on his left ear that reads "A113." 

7. Elemental

A113 appears on a tiny panel on the wall in this 2023 film.

8. The Good Dinosaur

In this movie, the codeword pops up in shape in the pickets on the wooden fence surrounding the area of Arlo's family's farm.

9. Finding Dory

The license plate number on the truck containing quarantined fish reads: "CAL A113".

10. Coco

In "Coco," the famous Pixar Easter Egg "A113" can be seen on the door of the office in "The Land of the Dead."