Disney+'s latest original film comes in the form of a musical comedy about a teenage boy who dares to make it in the world of Broadway with the help of his best friend, his older brother, and his Broadway-star aunt.
While the film is filled with Wicked references, it also features a good chunk of Disney Easter eggs. From the Lilo and Stitch love to the way the film movie reunites some High School Musical: The Musical: The Series players, Better Nate Than Ever sends you on a hunt for every little magical detail.
Lilo And Stitch: The Musical
The movie centers around aspiring Broadway star Nate Foster on his journey from bombing on the cast list for the school play to sneaking away to audition for an up-and-coming musical in New York City.
While the book the film is based on has the characters auditioning for an E.T. musical, Disney kept it in the ohana by switching the Broadway show to theme around what Nate calls a cult classic: Lilo and Stitch. Stitch's face is plastered around the city in promotion of the new musical, and a Stitch costume is even seen as part of the production.
Disney Store Times Square
The film takes the viewers from a small neighborhood in Pittsburgh to the Big Apple, and the moment Nate happens upon Times Square, he's hit with the bright lights, bustling tourists, and a classic musical moment.
If you can take your eyes off Nate's performance for just a moment, you'll notice a familiar logo in the background of Times Square. For most of the scene, directly behind Nate is New York City's Disney Store, which stands with two floors of magical merchandise and NYC-themed decor.
"Let It Go"
The Idina Menzel hit from Frozen was sung all over the world in 2013 and continues to be a classic piece of Disney music to this day. The Grammy Award and Academy Award-winning song is played at Disney establishments worldwide, including EPCOT's Frozen Ever After attraction.
In Better Nate Than Ever, it's an a cappella performance of this song that snags Nate his callback. After a rocky start to his audition process by ripping his pants in front of the entire audition room, with the help of his rainbow-colored lucky rabbit's foot, Nate sings the Frozen anthem and wins everyone over.
Disney's The Lion King On Broadway
Based on Disney's 1994 animated film, The Lion King has been a Broadway phenomenon since its 1997 theater debut. After dozens of performances, anywhere from the West End to international tours, it all started at NYC's New Amsterdam Theater.
Nate gives a quick shout-out to the show and where it all began when he's told the when and where of his callback. When they tell him it's at New Amsterdam Theater, Nate's Broadway expertise allows him to immediately respond with, "That's where The Lion King opened!"
Cruella Ad
The 2021 101 Dalmatians spin-off film Cruella received plenty of marketing in the form of commercials, merchandise, and in Times Square, a billboard.
It can only be assumed Better Nate Than Ever was filmed in early 2021 when a Cruella ad flashes over Times Square in promotion of the film, directly above NYC's Disney Store as part of their rotating ads as Nate performs "On Broadway" with a group of buskers.
Lilo And Stitch Again
Disney's 2003 animated film Lilo And Stitch plays a major role in Better Nate Than Ever, being the basis for Broadway's latest show that Nate endures some wild antics to audition for.
Not only are the characters of Lilo and her pet alien Stitch mentioned several times throughout the film, but an actual scene from the movie plays on Libby's phone, seemingly her form of entertainment on her bus ride home from New York when both she and the viewers watch Stitch talk to Nani about the meaning of ohana.
Mickey Mouse Magnet
When the star of The Walt Disney Company isn't leading his own films and TV shows, Mickey Mouse can sometimes be found in the background of others. Be it a Mickey clock on the wall in Toy Story or a cameo alongside Donald Duck in The Little Mermaid, Mickey sometimes shows up where you least expect him.
In what appears to be a "Hidden Mickey" of shorts, you can find the main mouse in The Fosters' kitchen toward the start of the film. When Nate stands by the refrigerator and reminds his mother that the cast list is being posted that day, you can spot a Mickey Mouse magnet on the refrigerator door among other magnets and photos.
Moana Mention
Moana, the 2016 Walt Disney Animation Studios hit that earned two Academy Award nominations in 2017, gets a special shout-out in Better Nate Than Ever from Nate himself.
While hiding out in the handicap stall in the restroom, Libby is about to announce the breaking Broadway news to Nate when she says, "Name the best animated movie of all time!" Nate responds with a quick-witted, "Pre-Moana or post-Moana?"
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Reunion
Disney+'s first-ever original series was 2019's High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Not a reboot nor a spin-off, the show follows high schoolers on their journey to putting on a school production of Disney Channel's High School Musical.
Created by Tim Federle and featuring Joshua Bassett as Anthony, Better Nate Than Ever features an HSMTMTS reunion for the two players. Federle created the Disney+ series, while Bassett stars in the show as Ricky Bowen.