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