How Encanto References Disney’s Next Animated Movie

Towards the very end of its runtime, Encanto includes a reference to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature film. Though Encanto is littered with easter eggs of past Disney movies, there is only one that hints at a future motion picture. As a nod towards the future instead of a reflection of the past, this reference is treated with special care and is saved as the final reveal.

In Encanto, the Madrigal family is blessed by a miracle that grants each member a special gift. However, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) appears to be the only exception to this rule. When the miracle begins to grow weaker, Mirabel vows to save it along with her family. Encanto hides small references to past Disney films throughout the duration of Mirabel’s journey. Nevertheless, the reference to Disney’s next film is only shown once Mirabel’s journey concludes.

After Encanto displays a cheerful photograph of every member of the Madrigal family together at long last, the movie quickly transitions to a sequence of stylized animated drawings that introduce the talent behind this charming film. To indicate the movie’s end, these pictures fade to black as viewers are greeted with the familiar sight of names and titles slowly ascending up the screen. Though smaller in scale, colorful illustrations of the film’s objects and characters accent the credit headings until each contributor is properly acknowledged for their work. In similar fashion to Marvel’s end-credits scenes, viewers who watch til the very end are rewarded with a small easter egg. Eagle-eyed viewers can spot an object that looks like a green spaceship right next to the Walt Disney Records logo. Seeing as how Encanto doesn’t have any spaceships in its movie, this object is a likely reference to Walt Disney Animation’s upcoming film Strange World.

Though not much is known about Strange World, Encanto’s small reference provides a hint. In most stories, a spaceship is used to represent otherworldly travel. Combining this meaning with Strange World’s title implies that the environment in Disney’s upcoming animated film will be filled with wonder and unfamiliarity. The spaceship itself may even indicate that this unique setting will be in space. Considering the last Disney film to take place in space was 2002’s Treasure Planet, Walt Disney Animation Studios is long overdue for a space-themed movie. Strange World has the potential to be that movie.

Encanto’s inclusion of the illustrated aircraft is a pleasant surprise that establishes a clever way to maintain the audience’s attention throughout a film’s entire runtime. Though Marvel has successfully encouraged fans to stay in their seats until the end of a motion picture with a promise of extra content, viewers have no reason to keep their eyes on the screen during the credits. By subtly sneaking a reference to Strange World in the credits, Encanto has given viewers a reason to actively watch them in search of more fun easter eggs. With the strategic placement of a single image, Encanto has breathed new life into its arguably dullest moment in a way that Disney’s upcoming movies should follow.

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