The movie Zootopia is an absolute masterpiece in modern Disney animation, that's common knowledge to most Disney fans. What might not be common knowledge is how much attention to detail and dedication to visual storytelling went into creating this wonderful world.
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The animal-inhabited metropolis Nick and Judy call home is painted in beautiful shades of neon, but a closer inspection reveals one of the most Easter-egg heavy movies in the history of the studio. Not only are their nods and references to other Disney properties and films, but there are subtle jokes that only hardcore animation junkies and Disnerds will catch.
10 Totoro In the Burroughs
Beginning in Judy's hometown of Bunny Burrows, one of the biggest details animation fans will notice is the familiar shape of the train station.
Those wide-spaced eyes, large teeth, and familiar form all line up to create the image of Studio Ghibli's Totoro. Anyone who knows the name John Lasseter will undoubtedly know about his friendship with Hayao Miyazaki and they will also know of the studio's frequent references in other Disney films.
9 Is That You Carl?
Speaking of other Disney films, what about an Easter egg from "the other studio?" Pulling back from the Totoro building for a moment, take a look at one of the elderly members of Judy's expansive family.
The green jacket and the thick black glasses look awfully familiar, don't they? In fact, that bunny is one bowtie and a thousand balloons away from being Carl Fredricksen from Pixar's Up. Others claim his design is inspired by Martin Scorsese, but which sounds more like a Disney movie?
8 Puns That Rock
Disney never skips on their soundtracks and apparently, neither does Judy Hopps. Although it serves as an excuse to play Shakira's "Try Everything," pay attention to some of the artists featured on Judy's iPod.
Her playlist is loaded with animal-inspired band names like The Beagles, Black Sable, Katy Purry, and other puns on popular artists. The references don't break the fourth wall so much as crack it gently. It'd be a crime not to appreciate them.
7 Beastly Brands
The witty wordplay does it just stop in Judy's taste in music, that wouldn't be very Disney. All throughout the streets of Zootopia from Tundra Town to the Rainforest District, fans can spot Billboards, advertisements, and logos that are direct references to real-life brands many will recognize.
Fru-Fru and her gal pals are on their way back from Mousey's (Macy's) and are seen with Targoat (Target) bags, the lemming businessmen are associates of Lemming Brothers Bank (Lehman Brothers ), and the list goes on.
6 Furry Frozen Fans
When you have a studio who was responsible for the biggest animated smash since The Lion King, a few in-jokes are not only encouraged but expected. Needless to say, Zootopia's directors didn't disappoint. There are winks and nods to Frozen left and right scattered throughout the film.
From a pair of elephants wearing Elsa and Anna costumes to the voice of Princess Anna herself having a cameo role, Disney just can't seem to let it go.
5 Some Familiar Magic
This might be one fans have to pause the movie to actually catch, but to say it didn't blend into its Arabian-inspired surroundings would be entirely untrue.
Just before Nick and Judy follow Yax into the inner sanctum of the Naturalist Club, one can clearly see the Genie's lamp perched on a shelf right beside the door. Perhaps it's an ancient artifact of Disney's past that managed to transcend universes?
4 A Jim Henson Tie In?
Upon first glance, Emmet Otterton might appear to be a minor role in the grand scheme of things. A small otter with large glasses and a cable knit sweater looks as cute as can be, but that name for some reason rings a bell.
Although it might go over some fans' heads, any Jim Henson junkies will recognize the name immediately from Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. A fun nod to the master of the Muppets, but Emmet Otterton doesn't seem like the guy to play the washtub.
3 Tundra Town’s Godfather
Mr. Big is more than just Maurice LaMarche doing a high-pitched Brando impression but is quite possibly responsible for the most Godfather references in a Disney flick. Martin Scorsese's The Godfather is one of the most parodied and referenced films in the history of the medium, but Disney went all out.
Not only is Mr. Big a reference to Don Vito himself, but his house, appearance, and day of his daughter's wedding are all ripped straight from the original film.
2 Breaking Baaaaad
If the yellow hazmat suit and the blue, Nighthowler-infused drug wasn't a big enough indicator, some animator on the Disney payroll must have been a Breaking Bad fan.
Disney is no stranger to pulling from popular TV series at the time of the release of their film, but this one was a bit too on the nose. The further sell the reference, Doug the Sheep even calls out to characters named Walter and Jesse. Need we say more?
1 On The Street Where You Live
During the scene in the Rainforest District, Nick and Judy are chased by a Savage Mr. Manchas through a location called Vine and Tujunga. These two streets aren't just locations in Zootopia, but real streets in Hollywood where the film was made. Tujunga specifically is where the Disney warehouse is located, and where most of the animators had to work while the studio was under renovations.
It's a polite nod to the animators' temporary home, and certainly not a fact many fans will pick up.
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