There’s a mysterious code hidden in an increasing number of films, shows, and videogames out there, from The Simpsons to South Park to Toy Story. The list goes forever, including live action features like Avengers, Star Wars, and Hunger Games. The code is the key to a secret society limited to a selected few.
A113
If you have ever noticed this number popping up in different media, that’s probably because you studied graphic design and character animation at the California Institute of the Arts. That’s the same school where people like John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Brad Bird, and countless other animators and special effects people started their education and careers. All of them went through a very specific classroom there:
The classroom number became a running gag that has invaded many films. Anytime there’s an occasion to write some random alphanumerical code, if the person in charge of the shot went through that class, there’s a high probability that she or he will leave that Easter egg for other colleagues (and now you) to discover.
Brad Bird was the first person who used A113 for a “license plate number in the ‘Family Dog’ episode of Amazing Stories.”
Here’s a list of TV shows and movies that contain the Easter egg:
TV Shows
American Dad!
Amazing Stories
Firefly
Rugrats
The Powerpuff Girls
The Simpsons
Tiny Toon Adventures
South Park
Bobby’s World
Pixar films
Toy Story trilogy
A Bug’s Life
Finding Nemo
The Incredibles
Cars franchise
Ratatouille
WALL-E
Up
Brave (written in Roman numerals)
Monsters University
Other movies (animated and live action)
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Alpha and Omega
The Iron Giant
Lilo & Stitch
Bugs Bunny’s Lunar Tunes
The Brave Little Toaster
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers
The Princess and the Frog
Meet the Robinsons
Terminator Salvation
Planet 51
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Terra Nova
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
The Avengers
