An Easter egg is a hidden image or message sprinkled throughout a movie, TV show, or video game. In Disney's Encanto, Easter eggs are plentiful as they were found in scenes, songs, and even fashion choices. Disney is known for the Easter eggs they include in their movies, and Encanto was no different.
On Reddit, fans came together to share the hidden messages and moments that they noticed while watching and rewatching the movie. With eagle-eyed fans in the mix, there was no shortage of Easter eggs spotted in between mesmerizing cinematography and an enchanting plot about characters' powers.
Updated on August 23, 2022, by Lynn Gibbs: The story of the Madrigals and their magical gifts inspired viewers. Encanto’s storyline, music, and artwork were enchanting to watch. The movie brought a sense of hope while showing the complexities of family. Along the way, Reddit found Encanto Easter eggs that they missed during the first watch. The Easter eggs in Encanto were so subtle that it took sharp eyes and attention to detail to spot and share.
An 'M' For Madrigal
The beautiful thing about the Madrigal family is that fans can connect with different characters based on their personality type. With such a colorful family, fans loved learning more about the Madrigals.
In one scene, the Madrigals got together and posed in a unique formation. PippyPiplup noted that they formed in the shape of an 'M.' Shortly after Abuela showed up in the center of the background, making the 'M' shape more prominent. The Redditor wasn't sure if this "was intentional or not" but it does seem like an Easter egg to show the family's unity.
The Madrigal Butterfly
Reddit noticed quickly that the Madrigals wore outfits that had small designs on them that depicted their gift or interest. The Madrigal family tree was extensive but more powerful than the next. And while Mirabel didn’t have a gift, butterflies were her symbol.
She didn’t just have butterflies on her dress, they were all over the nursery, in Bruno’s vision, and throughout Casita. Reddit has speculated what the butterflies represented. SparkAxolotl wrote, “Mirabel's original dress has a ton of butterflies,” while Girlant explained the symbolism. The butterflies are symbols of transformation and hope, as the family look to tomorrow.”
Wall-E Shoutout
In the 2008 Disney-Pixar movie WALL-E, Wall-E was left on Earth to clean up the toxins that humans didn’t. In a rare moment, he found a small seed sprouting into a plant — proving that life on Earth was possible. Not knowing where to place the plant, he put it in an old boot and watched it grow. This moment was symbolic as it proved that hope wasn’t lost for Earth (or for WALL-E).
In Encanto, Redditor Crateos discovered a WALL-E Easter egg in Bruno’s room. “In Encanto (2021) when Maribel meets Bruno, there is a plant inside a boot. Referencing to the plant in Wall-E (2008),” they wrote. This could also be symbolic for Bruno. Like WALL-E and Earth, Bruno could also thrive.
A Hidden Bruno In The Poster Art
For any fans who theorized that Bruno was living among the Madrigals without being detected, they were correct. As shown, Mirabel found her Uncle Bruno hiding within Casita's walls. He noted that he wasn't good for the family but loved them so he didn't want to be apart from them.
Redditor Clear-Ad-3668 wrote, "I spotted Brunito in this poster too." This Easter egg had Bruno hiding in the background. This is a secret nod to the character who hides from his family but is always around because of his love for them.
Bruno Lurking In The Background
"We Don't Talk About Bruno" is one of Encanto's most popular musical numbers. The song is catchy and the movements in each scene are incredibly detailed and life-like.
In the scene where Dolores and Mirabel are dancing together, Fangirl_to_the_max wrote, "Did anyone else catch this?" with a picture of Bruno lurking in the background as the two cousins danced. Bruno's movements are so fast that it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, but it's a fantastic detail by Disney to add in a song about his character.
Pedro & Mariano Parallels
In a song sung by Abeula Alma, she gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how she met her late husband, Pedro. The two met at a festival and fell in love, having three children. When he died, it was the magical candle and Casita that kept his spirit alive.
Fast-forward to when Isabella was supposed to be betrothed to Mariano, ToysWereUsPodcast explained how similar the two men looked. They told Reddit, "I noticed a very interesting thing. Alma wanting Isabela to marry Mariano was even more self-serving than it seemed to be because Isabela and Mariano are identical to Alma and Pedro." This could mean the only reason why Alma wanted Isabela to marry Mariano was because of his likeliness to Pedro.
A Subtle Shoutout To Disney's Frozen
Fans who enjoyed Frozen. As different as Frozen and Encanto are, TuscaroraBeach noticed a small nod to Frozen in a song.
The Redditor said, "The most obvious [Easter egg] to me is Bruno’s lyric in 'All of You' - “Let it snow, let it go!” Seems to be a clear reference to Frozen’s 'Let It Go.'" Another fan chimed in and said, "Did you also notice the piano in the background as Bruno sings 'let it go'? It's the 'Let It Go' melody!"
Dolores & Sound Waves
Dolors is one of the more likable characters in Encanto. Mirabel's cousin is delicate, charming, and sneakily funny. Dolores was given the power of enhanced hearing so she could hear a pin drop and heard most of the gossip around town without meaning to.
Redditor QueenStargaryen said, "Her clothes are decorated with sound waves! How did I just notice this!" The prints on the top of Dolores's dress resemble different sound waves. But Dolores wasn't the only one, her family also had subtle hints to their character designed into their clothing.
Green Glasses For Bruno
It's an unpopular opinion to dislike Bruno. Just because he was given the power of psychic abilities didn't mean he was out to get everyone in his family with dark visions.
Whenever Bruno was described by Mirabel's family , he was depicted with a dark green aura around him because when he saw his visions, a bright green haze surrounded him. However, Plongie noticed a small connection between Mirabel and Bruno: her glasses. "The color of the glasses is unique — pretty much the same shade of green as Bruno’s clothing. I think it’s to link them as the outcasts of the family," they wrote. The lime green glasses could connect her and Bruno as the family's outcasts in this Easter egg.
An Ode To The Little Mermaid
Another Hamilton fame) wrote most of the songs on Encanto's soundtrack and couldn't help but add a few Easter eggs throughout.
Xxsmapc5xx told Reddit an Easter egg they noticed. "I believe Lin Manuel intentionally put the melody of 'Under the Sea' in 'Dos Oruguitas.'" They continued, "The Little Mermaid and that song inspired him since young to become a songwriter. It's a brilliant tribute to the song that started it all for him."
Dolores & Attention To Detail
Since Dolores has enhanced hearing, she hears everything whether she wants to or not. However, one detail that some fans didn't pick up on was how loud sounds affected Dolores. MattyCamachio shared a Reddit post that showed Dolores clapping with her two fingers during Antonio's big night. "Dolores is seen clapping with her index fingers. This is because she has super hearing," they wrote.
Dolores clapping with her fingers reinforces the fact that clapping is too loud for her. Likewise, there's another scene where she's seen holding her ears as fireworks erupted in the air.
A Small Hamilton Gesture
Luisa is Mirabel's older sister who was given the gift of strength. She's the strongest person in the village and is responsible for a lot of what happens in the town. Luisa has had plenty of inspiring quotes in Encanto because of her purpose.
In one scene while Luisa is singing "Under the Surface," she can be seen standing in the center of a turntable. TropicLush told Reddit, "Did anyone else notice the nod to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s specialty of choreography with the simultaneous turntables going in opposite directions during Luisa’s song?" Other fans chimed in at the incredible Easter egg and nod to the songwriter's background.
