20 Things You Probably Missed In Encanto

1. Did You Spot It? Disney’s Frozen Secretly Features In The Film!

We love the Disney Cameos, and Encanto is full of them. They are very subtle and barely even noticeable. In Bruno’s song, there is the line ‘Let It Go’ which of course is a nod to Frozen’s most popular and well-known song Let It Go. Disney movies like to hint to other Disney movies to draw connections to them both, and to have a bit of fun so that fans can try and find them all.

2. There’s Hidden Disney Film Lyrics EVERYWHERE!

It turns out that Frozen’s Let It Go lyrics aren’t the only film that features Encanto’s lyrics. There are strong similarities between Encanto’s ‘Welcome to The Family’, and In the Heights ‘It Won’t Be Long Now’. We love the fact that Encanto draws from multiple influences and references.

3. Each Family Member’s Plate Means More Than You Think…

Each family member has their own plate. The Madrigal plates are not just randomly patterned plates. Encanto’s extreme attention to detail means that each plate represents a member of the family. Each contains patterns that point to the family member.

4. Why Does Mirabel Sing in a Different Rhythm?!

Encanto is all about music. Everybody is listening to the tracks ever since it has been released and it’s literally topping the charts. So, if you have a very musical ear, you may have noticed this little detail. Because Mirabel sings in a ¾ rhythm whereas the rest of her family sings in a 4/4 beat rhythm. Did you notice?!

5. The Outfits Mean SO Much More Than It Seems…

Another tiny little attention to detail in Encanto is that in the Madrigal family, their outfits represent their powers. For example, the pattern on Julieta’s dress has a mortar and pestle on it, Abuela’s had a mountain design on it. It’s easy to notice how amazing the outfits are, the colours, the patterns… but we wouldn’t realise the intricacy of the designs unless you really pay attention to what the pictures show.

6. What About Mirabel’s Outfit?

Okay, this is something we all know. But as we have just discussed, each family member’s outfit represents their power. So, what about Mirabel? Because as we know, Mirabel has no power of her own which has caused her great pain. Her outfit has patterns that symbolize each of her family to show that she is connected to each of them.She may not have magical power but she has the power of understanding and kindness.

7. This Is Augustin’s Secret Way Of Honouring His Daughters!

Augustin is an extremely proud father, so proud that he honours each of them in his outfit. He wears their symbols, one for each so there are three different symbols on his clothes to represent his different daughters. A flower, a sock with embroidery, and a sock with symbols.

8. Here’s Why Bruno’s Image On The Tree Is Faint…

If you have seen the family tree, you may have noticed (if you pay careful attention) that Bruno’s image was much more faded than the rest of the family. This is symbolic of the fact that Bruno feels detached from his family. Bruno for the majority of the film, it there but not present. He is always in the background but nobody knows exactly where he is. He’s actually there all along but nobody can see him or realises.

9. What Really Is The Shadow During ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’?

We’ve all noticed the shadow in the background of the favourite song ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’. There is a shadow dancing around. But who actually is it? It’s kind of unsettling… And, the previous point is reiterated again here. Because it shows that Bruno is actually still there, but he has not revealed himself to his family for years.

10. The Shadow Is….

Well, we are STILL not sure! The director of the film, Jared Bush, has not yet confirmed the answer because he enjoyed the debate from fans too much. But we think it represents Bruno in the background. Why? Since we know what Bruno is like when it comes to hiding (when he hides in Casita), it’s likely that the unknown shadow is actually supposed to be him.

11. The Tiny Detail About Dolores Ears That You Didn’t Notice!

In the part of the film where everybody cheers, the fireworks go off. Being highly sensitive to sound, Dolores has to cover her ears because of her super power which is he power of hearing. Of course, you can’t have extra hearing without normal sounds being extra loud.

12. Did You Spot That Abuela’s Bedroom Is The Same As Her Bedroom With Pedro?

Here is another very specific detail in the movie, which you probably did not notice unless you have a very keen eye for detail. Abuela’s bedroom in the casita is exactly the same as the one that she used to share with Pedro. It is an exact replica. The patterns, bed, and even the location of the window is the same. And, this of course is no coincidence. Like everything in Encanto there is a reason for this small detail.

13. The Subtle Hints About Antonio’s Gift

As we know, Encanto is full of little details that are often shown for example in the clothes or on the family plates. So, Antonio’s gift is actually hinted at before we see it. In fact, it is even hinted at in the poster for the movie, well before we find out.

14.After Augustin Discovers Mirabel’s Secret He Just CAN’T Sit Next to Julieta

Perhaps you noticed that the couple go from sitting close together at the start of the movie, and then suddenly they change to sitting apart from one another. There is a significant event that creates this change. If you noticed it you have been watching very carefully.

15. Another Disney Reference… Bruno Grows a Plant in A Boot!

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Here is another Disney reference that you have most probably missed. We can see in the background in a couple of scenes that Bruno is growing a plant out of a boot. On first glances you probably would not have thought anything of this. Or, have thought that it was actually a significant Disney movie reference (unless you are a Wall-E fan that is).

16. There’s Not Just One Reference To The Heights

Has anybody noticed any kind of references between In the Heights and Encanto? Because there are a few. Most importantly, Olga Meridio, who played Abuela Claudia in ‘In the Height’ in both the film and the stage version is the voice behind one of the main people in Encanto. You probably didn’t notice, but if you really tuned in you may have heard a familiar sound.

17. In The Movie Poster, Bruno Is Actually Hidden

Did you notice Bruno hiding right at the back of the official poster of Encanto? Because at first, it looks like he does not even appear, and most people think he does not feature on the movie poster. Much like in the movie, we often cannot see Bruno but we know he’s there. We are aware of him well before we see him and this is reflected in the poster of the movie.

18. Mickey Mouse Is Hidden Throughout The Film… Did You See Him?

As we know, Disney films are full of little references t other Disney movies. And, a particularly prevalent symbol that features in many Disney movies is the iconic Mickey Mouse shape. It can even be seen in the likes of The Pirates of the Caribbean and unless you knew to look out for it, it would barely be perceptible.

19. Only Disney Pros Would Spot This… Mickey Appears In Glitter Form!

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Again, there is another Mickey Mouse reference that only serious Disney professionals would spot because you would have to be on high alert to spot this one. During the song ‘Waiting on a Miracle’, there is a moment when Mirabel is dancing around her parents and on the floor.

20. The Fantasia Reference

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Here’s another Disney reference to spot next time you watch Encanto. If you look very carefully, there is a point where you can see a Fantasia reference in the background in Bruno’s den. Mickey’s iconic blue hat with stars on can actually be seen in a photo in Bruno’s room in the Casita.

21. There’s A Touching Tribute to Titanic

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This is a detail that you may have noticed if you were watching carefully. There is a moment in the movie when the band of mules is going down in the ship, a clear reference to Titanic when the band goes down with the ship. It is part of Louisa’s song ‘Surface Pressure’, when she moves the iceberg out of the way of the ship to show how much expectation she has resting on her shoulders.

22. The Three Children Have Significant Names

The three children who Mirabel sings to during the song ‘The Family Madrigal’ are all tributes to people who were important to the creation of the film. Or, people who were not necessarily involved in creating the film but who were important in relation to the crew members. One of them is named Alejandra Espinosa, and he helped with the Colombian history of the film ensuring that the culture and history was captured correctly.

23. The Directors Wanted REAL Family Life To Be Represented

For this Disney movie, the directors wanted a particular focus on the family. This is because they did not want to focus on the main character and storyline and neglect the family. They wanted to capture a realistic portrayal of the complexities of family life.

24. There’s Butterflies… Literally EVERYWHERE!

You may have noticed butterflies throughout the film. It is not simply because the producers like butterflies, it has a meaning. It is a significant symbol in the story. Butterflies represent transformation as their life starts in one form and changes throughout to become something else.

25. Mirabel’s Glasses Match Bruno’s Eyes

The green of Mirabel’s glasses does actually have significance, as does everything in this movie. Everything has been thought out, from the colour of glasses to the little symbols and detals all over. Bruno can usually be seen wearing green, and his eyes also turn green when he sees his visions.

26. The Mortar and Pestle Show Julieta’s Healing Cooking

We know that the mortar and pestle on Julieta’s dress resemble her power. The mortar and pestle are symbolic of Julieta’s cooking which she uses to heal people. This is her special power and so it has been symbolized in the form of the pestle and mortar.

27. Pepa’s Sun Earrings Show That She Can Change the Weather

Pepa, unlike some of the characters, does not have the same patterns on her dress that symbolize her powers. Instead, she wears earrings in the shape of the sun. It would take concentration to have noticed this little detail, and most people probably did not.

28. If You Know Spanish… Señora Pezmuerto Means Mrs. Dead Fish

This character never had her name actually mentioned in the film. But the director of the film called Jared Bush reveals that the woman who has a goldfish that dies is called Mrs. Dead Fish. It’s not a usual name, and not exactly a desirable name either. But, it is some added humour for those in the know.

29. Bruno Recreates a Columbian FIFA Match

Again, Encanto really is a film with extreme attention to detail like no other. In the film, Bruno creates a football match between his rats. This is no random match; it is actually a recreation of Colombia’s 1990 FIFA World Cup match against West Germany.

30. One Hundred Years of Solitude Reference

Again, there is another cultural reference to the Colombian writer Garcia Marquez who wrote the famous novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. This was a hugely successful novel which has won prizes. In the novel, the story features a multi-generational family and it also features yellow butterflies. And so, the movie draws on these similarities between the two to acknowledge that each celebrated the culture of Colombia and its history.

31. Dolores Can Hear Bruno

Nobody knows what happened to Bruno. There are suggestions that he disappeared or maybe he was forced out because people shunned him because of his powers. Because he could tell the future, people assumed he made bad things happen. People totally misunderstood him and he was actually only trying to help, for example with the wedding day. But, it all went wrong and he received all of the blame.

32. Mirabel is a Mixture of Her Mum and Dad… And It’s Really Obvious When You Notice It!

The 50/50 genetics really are clear in this Disney movie. Because, Mirabel is a definite mix of both her mother and her father. She has the clumsiness of her dad, and she’s also powerless like him too.

33. Julieta’s Pockets Are More Useful Than You Think!

You may have noticed that Julieta’s pockets are always full. And, none of the other characters have pockets. This could pay homage to the fact that she is a mother and she always has to be prepared. But, Julieta always always has pockets full of things. Because the other characters have no pockets, it makes the contrast more easy to notice because of Julieta’s big pockets.

34. Isabella and Rapunzel In Tangled Are VERY Similar

There are definite similarities between Rapunzel and Isabella – two females discovering their own path and independence. Not just the long hair and the flowers, but also the singing.

35. Mirabel’s Lens

There’s more to Mirabel’s glasses than just the green matching Bruno’s eyes. The whole idea of looking through a lens is symbolic for being able to see something in a certain way. Because, she’s literally looking through a different perspective to other people. And Mirabel, see’s things in an entirely different way. Not because of her glasses, but this is just a metaphor to represent her way of seeing things.

36. A Visit to Moana’s Island

Did anyone notice anything familiar during the song ‘Surface Pressure’? After Luisa breaks the Titanic ice berg, she starts surfing a wave to the shore. She’s on a tropical island. And, we don’t think that this is any old tropical island. It looks just like Motunui, the island of Moana.

37. The Colombian Chocó Forest

Encanto is full Columbian influences because the film is based on Columbian culture. This is one of the reasons that makes the film so special. But, aside from the obvious influences there are little hints that many of us would never even notice unless it was pointed out to us.

38. Luisa and Hercules Similarities Are Uncanny!

One thing that we love so much about Encanto is the fact that the strong, muscly character is portrayed by a woman. This is a Disney first. We are used to strong female Disney characters but the representation of physical strength in the past has been mainly limited to the male characters.

39. The Little Mermaid Features In The Film… If You Pay Extra Attention!

Like we’ve seen previously, Encanto is full of hints and nods to other Disney characters and movies. And, this one is barely even perceptible. But, fans have been listening to the sound track on repeat (understandably) and so they have noticed the similarity.

40. There’s A Mary Poppins Moment!

Who doesn’t love Mary Poppins. In fact, it’s one of the most successful and well loved of all time. We all remember Mary Poppins for her magic bag with no limits and her umbrella which she could fly away on. And, the method of flying away using an umbrella is so iconic that the producers for the film Encanto decided to use it too. Of course, this is another Disney reference to one of the all time favourite classics.

41. ”Worth a Shot”

In Moana, Maui at first does not want to help her in her quest. But, when he throws Moana into the sea, a creature spits her right back out again. At that point Maui declares it was worth a shot. but, he then realises that his quest with Moana is something he has to do and that he has no choice but to help her.

42. Let it Go

As we know, Pepa thinks that Bruno ruined her wedding. But, it was never intentional at all and he was actually looking out for her and trying to help her. He says to her “let it in, let it out, let it rain, let it snow, let it go.” He believes she needs to embrace and accept her moods and the weather changes and to be free.

43. Mirabel and Elsa

Another connection between the two is Elsa and Mirabel. When the song “Waiting on a Miracle,” is being sun, Mirabel stamps her feet because she feels powerless. But when she does so, the Casita appears from nowhere. During Let It Go, Elsa does the very same stamp right before the castle appears out of thin air.

44. Columbian Animals

When Antonio is given his magical gift of being able to talk to animals, he suddenly becomes surrounded by animals. As soon as he is able to communicate properly with the animals they flock around him. But, these animals are certainly not random. They are a representation of the real animal life of Columbia. Each animal is an animal that lives in South America. As we know, there was a professional working on the movie to ensure it was correct.

45. Colombian History

When making a movie celebrating a culture, it is important to pay tribute to the history of that country. For example, Colombia have had periods of conflict and suffering. From the war pursued by Spain and the civil wars within Colombia there is a complicated history there.

46. It’s the 60th Movie

Encanto Is Walt Disney Animation’s 60th Movie, which is a very grand feat indeed. And, now it will be known with this grand title. No wonder they pulled out all the stops to make Encanto.

47. It’s Set in the Colombian Mountains

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Encanto is set in the Colombian mountains, in a little unique town. The mountains and town it is based on are completely real and were the whole inspiration for the setting of Encanto. The whole film takes place in a South American country. Well, of course, it’s not literally set in the village in the mountains – however, it is certainly based on it. And, it has been captured very well considering it is an animated movie.

48. Mirabel’s Voice is Stephanie Beatriz

Who is the brilliant voice behind the well loved Mirabel? That would be Stephanie Beatriz. She does all the voice and singing for her animated character. Mirabel quickly became a massively popular Disney character. This is because she is a strong female character who epitomizes being kind but not being gifted or being unrealistically beautiful. She’s relatable in her normal, quirky way and you can’t help but love her.

49. The Second Disney Movie With A Non-English Name

Encanto is actually only the second Disney animated canon movie that has a non-english title. This is fairly surprising considering just how many Disney movies there are. There have been hundreds of Disney movies over the years. But, in recent years Disney movies are moving away from what we used to associate them with and what we used to expect them to be. Now, the diversity is increasing in every way and they are even better for it.

50. Luisa Was Lydia

Luisa was never meant to be Luisa at all. She was actually going to be Lydia. But this changed, and so did other things about her character. Luisa was initially going to be smaller. She would still be as strong, but they were going to make her more petite.

Dolores Claps With Two Fingers

There are very small details that pay tribute to the fact that Dolores has super hearing powers – as we know she knows everybody’s gossip and business. For example, when everybody is clapping, she actually claps with her fingers. In fact, to be precise she claps only with her two index fingers.