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Ready Player One is an upcoming science-fiction adventure film, directed by Steven Spielberg. It is an adaptation of the Ernest Cline novel of the same name.

Plot

In the year 2045, much of Earth's population centers have become slum-like cities due to overpopulation, pollution, corruption, and climate change. To escape their desolation, people engage in the virtual reality world of the OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation), where they can engage in numerous activities for work, education, and entertainment.

Wade Watts (Sheridan) is a teenage Gunter (short for "egg hunter") from Columbus, Ohio who frequents the OASIS and attempts to win "Anorak's Quest", a game created by the deceased creator of the OASIS, James Halliday (Rylance), by finding the Easter Eggs. The winner is to be granted full ownership of the OASIS, among other things.

Wade, as his avatar Parzival, and Aech (Waithe), a tall musculer man who works as a virtual mechanic, frequently meet in-game to take part in the first of three trials in the Quest, each granting a key. The first trial is a street race through a constantly-shifting city that was discovered by a Gunter in 2040. The race is filled with hazards such as shifting roads, wrecking balls, spikes, and King Kong, alongside facing other players in the race, with nobody having reached the finish line. In the latest race Wade stops another famous player, Art3mis (Cooke) from being "zeroed out" (dying in-game).

Later that night, Parzival heads to the virtual Halliday Archives, a library with 3D recordings of most of Halliday's life and work. Wade notices in the memory regarding the resignation of Ogden Morrow (Pegg), former partner of Halliday, where Halliday emphasises wishing he could "go in reverse" and take back the situation. Wade believes this to be a clue on how to beat the street race, and after all the other cars drive, he reverses into the back of the race track, revealing a secret path that bypasses all the obstacles. He reaches the finish line as the avatar of Anorak congratulates him, handing over the Copper Key and a clue to the next trial.

Parzival becomes infamous overnight for appearing on the global scoreboard keeping track of the hunt, shortly being followed by Art3mis (who sees Wade reversing in the previous race), Aech (whom Wade gave a hint to), and brothers Daito and Shoto. This group then become known as the "High Five". Parcival begins talking more to Art3mis, eventually declaring his feelings for her when he reveals his name to her. This is overheard by i-R0k, a freelance bounty hunter for Innovative Online Industries, or IOI, an evil virtual reality equipment corporation that controls people's access to the OASIS, who informs Nolan Sorrento, the CEO of IOI, of their location as several IOI employees known as Sixers begin an assault on the club. Parcival and Art3mis escape by using a magic item, the Zemeckis Cube that reverses time for one minute. i-R0k uses Wade's name to discoved his true identity and location, which Sorrento the uses to offer him an ultimatum of joining him or facing reprecussion. When Wade refuses, Sorrento sends Zandor (John-Kamen) to destroy Wade's home, killing his aunt and her boyfriend.

Wade is saved by an associate of Art3mis', who brings him to a Gunter hideout in central Columbus where Art3mis reveals herself in person as Samantha. The two soon deduce that the second clue refers to a date that Halliday went on many years prior with a woman named Kira, who later became Morrow's wife. Visiting the virtual Archives again, they find one mention of Kira, with Wade winning a bet he had placed with the Curator, who believed Kira’s name to have been completely wiped from the Archives by Halliday. The High Five then ask the Curator to be allowed access to Halliday's memory of his date with Kira, which turns out to be the entrance to the second quest, where the group must survive the events of The Shining while trying to find Kira and dance with her. Each of the High Fives succeed one by one, gaining the Jade Key from Anorak and the clue to the third and final quest. The four learn that the final quest is on Planet Doom, the most dangerous planet in the game and also the location of Castle Anorak.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Zandor locates the hideout, starting a raid and capturing Samantha. Wade is saved by the real world players of Daito, Shoto, and Aech, who is actually a female lesbian that hid her identity after being kicked out by her homophobic family. They remain on the move in Aech's van, which has several OASIS rigs tethered in the back, which the group use as they move to Planet Doom. IOI also discover this, having traced the High Five's trip to the Archives. Sorrento has i-R0k activate the Orb, an icosahedron-shaped magic item that creates an impenetrable shield around the castle while IOI attempt the third quest inside by themselves. Samantha is taken to an indentured servitude camp in IOI's main building, locked inside a box and OASIS rig and forced to work inside the shield. While inside, she is able to deactivate the Orb while Wade sends out a message to every player in the OASIS, calling them to open war against IOI on Planet Doom, blaming IOI for the destruction of the slums.

The battle begins as the High Five and other players use every weapon and item at their disposal to kill IOI's sixers. Aech uses the Iron Giant she has created as well as Daito's Gundam and Shoto's Optimus Prime to defeat Sorrento's Mechagodzilla and Gigan. Wade locates the sixers under the castle partway through the third quest, in the midst of their attempts to find and complete the correct Atari 2600 game from Halliday's childhood library. Playing an incorrect game causes the player to fall through the ice and zero out. The IOI find the correct game, a copy of Adventure, however winning the game still zeroes out the sixer playing it.

Seeing that IOI is losing the battle and that Wade has made it to the Atari room, Sorrento detonates the Cataclyst, a magic item that zeroes out every player on Planet Doom, including the High Five, i-R0k, and Sorrento himself. Everyone is stunned however when Parzival regenerates, the result of the quarter he won in the bet with the Curator. Parzival soon deduces that the key to beating the third quest is not by winning Adventure, but by finding its own Easter Egg, the first of its kind to be created. Wade succeeds and meets Anorak yet again, who gives him the Crystal Key.

Wade inserts the three keys into a gate, revealing a room where Anorak offers him a contract to sign, completing the quest. Wade refuses however, recognising the contract as the same as Morrow's when he left the company, believing correctly that this was a test. Anorak says he had to be sure, as he changes form into Halliday, who offers that - that moment was his biggest regret in life. Halliday shows Wade the Big Red Button, which he can use to permanently delete the OASIS should he feel like it is the right decision. He then finally hands Wade the golden Easter Egg itself, granting Wade full control over the OASIS. Sorrento and Zandor are shortly thereafter arrested.

Wade decides to split his win between the Big Five, stating that working together is the best option for the OASIS moving forward in order to avoid repeating history. Ogden Morrow soon joins them as a consultant, with a salary of one quarter, revealing himself to have been the Curator. The group ban IOI's indentured servitude scheme, drastically altering IOI as a company, as well as vow to shut down the OASIS on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that people spend more time in the real world. Wade and Samantha start a relationship in the real world, getting an apartment together.

Cast

Voice Cast

Production

In June 2010, the same day Cline finalized his publishing deal with Random House, the film rights to this film were purchased by Warner Bros. Donald De Line signed on to produce with Cline adapting his own novel into a screenplay (Eric Eason and Zak Penn assisted Cline with rewrites), and in March 2015 Steven Spielberg signed on to direct.

In September 2015, the first cast member, Olivia Cooke, was announced to be joining as Art3mis. January 9 2016, the second cast member, Ben Mendelsohn, was announced to be joining as Nolan Sorrento, February 24 ,2016, the third cast member, Tye Sheridan, was announced to be joining as Wade Owen Watts. March 17 2016, the fourth cast member, Simon Pegg, was announced to be joining as Ogden Morrow, but is cast as Simon Pegg currently. April 13 2016, the fifth cast member, Mark Rylance, was announced to be joining as James Donovan Halliday. June 1 2016, the sixth cast member, T.J Miller, was announced to be joining as iR0-k. June 5 2016, the seventh cast member, Win Morisaki was announced to be joining as Toshiro Yoshiaki. July 29 2016, the eighth cast member, Philip Zhao was announced to be joining as Akihide Karatsu.

Filming

Production was slated to begin July 2016. Screenwriter Zak Penn tweeted on July 1 2016 that the first week of filming was completed. Filming took place early September 2016 in the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth areas of Birmingham, England with the setting in grungy dystopian Ohio.

List of References

Video Games

  • Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-Man: The cherries are seen as a sticker on Samantha's Oasis visor. A Ms. Pac-Man sticker is seen on Art3mis' Akira bike. In Aech's basement there is an Arcade cabinet of Pac-Man.
  • Q*bert: A Q*bert sticker can be seen in Wade's hideout van.
  • Joust : The knight on the ostrich is seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. In Aech's basement there is an Arcade cabinet of Joust.
  • Space Invaders: A graffiti of multiple invaders are on a brick wall in Ohio. James Halliday wears a Space Invaders t-shirt. On Wade's OASIS visor there is a sticker of the logo from Space Invaders.
  • Centipede: A scorpion can be seen taking out the knight on the ostrich and carrying its rider. A centipede Arcade cabinet can be seen in Aech's basement.
  • Street Fighter : Ryu is seen on walking the Oasis racetrack. Blanka is seen in The Distracted Globe. Both Chun-Li and Sagat are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Street Fighter characters are seen as stickers on Samantha's Oasis visor.
  • Danganronpa : Nagito Komaeda is seen during the Final Battle with Hajime Hinata. Chiaki Nanami is killed by IOI employees during their attack. Kyoko Kirigiri can be seen with a cup of noodles on her head.
  • Battletoads : Zitz, Rash, and Pimple are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle.
  • Duke Nukem : Duke Nukem is one of the Oasis civilians taken out by Aech during the PVP fight.
  • Tomb Raider : Lara Croft is seen in The Distracted Globe and later during the final battle.
  • Battleborn : El Dragón, Toby, and Ambra are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Attikus, Benedict, and Miko are seen walking around the Oasis.
  • Mass Effect : The male and female versions of Commander Shepard are seen at The Distracted Globe and later during the final battle.
  • Overwatch: Tracer is seen during the final battle in the Oasis and can also be seen briefly in the Oasis zooming into a portal. Mercy is also seen during the final battle. In the Oasis Mall an Overwatch stall can be seen. Doomfist and Soldier 76 are seen walking around in the Oasis. Widowmaker, Mei, Hanzo and Sombra are seen destroying an IOI spider.
  • The Witcher: Geralt of Rivia is seen nude in a wooden tub of water during the final battle.
  • BloodRayne: Rayne can briefly be seen to the left next to Lara Croft during the final battle in the Oasis.
  • Angry Birds: Red and Bomb are seen flying into battle in the Oasis. The Iron Giant uses the slingshot to launch Parzival during the final battle.
  • Mortal Kombat : Raiden, Cassie Cage, Kitana, and Scorpion are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Sub-Zero and Johnny Cage are seen walking on the Oasis racetrack. Liu Kang can be seen being killed by Aech during the PVP fight. A Mortal Kombat sticker can be seen on Akihide’s shirt.
  • Halo : Master Chief, a group of Spartans, and an Elite are seen in the final battle. When Aech is in the PVP zone, he uses a Assault Riffle. During the final battle, Parzival is seen summoning a SPNKR Rocket Launcher from the first three games. In the Oasis Mall a Halo stall can be seen.
  • StarCraft : A Protoss and Zealot are briefly seen walking in the Oasis, behind Hello Kitty and her friends. Jim Raynor is spotted during the PVP fight. A Sectoid appears in the Oasis behind Tracer waiting in line.
  • Devil May Cry: Danté is seen during the final battle amongst the Oasis civilians.
  • Captain Commando: The titular character can be seen during the final battle.
  • Legend of Zelda: Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are seen during the final battle.
  • Metroid: Samus Aran is seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle as well as in The Distracted Globe, dancing next to Art3mis.
  • BioShock: A Big Daddy is seen during the final battle.
  • Final Fantasy VII : Cloud Strife is seen during the final battle.
  • Bayonetta : The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • Mega Man : The titular character is briefly seen during the final battle.
  • Super Mario Bros: Mario riding Yoshi and Bowser are seen during the final battle. Waluigi can be seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • Mario Kart: Luigi is seen riding his kart at the Oasis racetrack. Aech also mentions Mario Kart while talking to Wade.
  • Minecraft: Herobrine and a Creeper are briefly seen during the final battle. A Minecraft Stall can be Seen in the Oasis Mall
  • Sonic the Hedgehog: The titular character is seen during the final battle in the Oasis and can also briefly be seen waiting in line for access to a portal in the Oasis. A Sonic stall in the Oasis Mall can be seen. Knuckles the Echidna is seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • Fire Emblem: Marth and Ike are seen in The Distracted Globe and during the final battle. Corrin can be seen entering a PVP portal in the Oasis.
  • Persona: Joker, Yu Narukami, and Akihiko Sanada are seen in the final battle. Goro Akechi, Shadow Nijima, and Leviathan are seen as Sixer avatars
  • Shin Megami Tensei: Jack Frost is seen during the final battle.
  • Skylanders: Gill Grunt, Drobot, Magna Charge, Hood Sickle and Torch are seen during the final battle in the Oasis. Blaster-Tron and Luminous can be seen entering a PVP portal in the Oasis. Ignitor and Stealth Elf can be seen walking around in the Oasis. Spitfire can be seen getting in the Hot Streak car during the Race. Chopscotch can be seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Kirby: The titular character and King Dedede are seen during the final battle.
  • Pokémon: Parzival is seen throwing a Poké Ball at the Batmobile during the race. A Poké Ball also appears very briefly when being thrown up in the air when Wade is introducing the Oasis. Rayquaza can be seen in the final battle. Cubone is seen in the Oasis Mall, being told by another player that "your mother is dead."
  • Half-Life: Gordon Freeman is seen during the final battle.
  • God of War: Kratos is seen during the final battle.
  • Tomb of Horrors: A large sticker of the logo is on the back of Aech's hideout van.
  • Uncharted: Nathan Drake is seen during the final battle.
  • Resident Evil: Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are seen during the final battle.
  • Donkey Kong: The titular character can be seen on a poster in a girl's room.
  • Star Fox: Fox McCloud is seen during the final battle.
  • Darkstalkers: Jedah Dohma and Morrigan are seen during the final battle.
  • Metal Gear Solid: Solid Snake is seen in The Distracted Globe. Big Boss is seen during the final battle.
  • Metal Gear Rising: A nanomachine powered Senator Armstrong can be seen during the final battle.
  • F-Zero: Captain Falcon is seen getting in the Blue Falcon on the Oasis racetrack.
  • Pikmin: Olimar is seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Kid Icarus: Pit and Palutena are seen during the final battle.
  • Earthbound: Ness is seen fighting a Sixer during the final battle.
  • Punch-Out: Little Mac is seen during the final battle.
  • Xenoblade Chronicles: Shulk is seen during the final battle.
  • Five Nights at Freddy's: In the PVP zone, there is a silhouette of Nightmare Freddy.
  • Shovel Knight: The titular character is seen in the Oasis.
  • Monkey Ball: Ai Ai is seen during the final battle.
  • NiGHTS: The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • Splatoon: Parzival is seen using Inkling-based weapons during the final battle.
  • Portal: GlaDos is mentioned by Aech during the final battle. Wheatley can be seen flying around in the Oasis.
  • Ghosts 'n Goblins: Firebrand can be seen flying around in the Oasis.
  • Final Fight: Mike Haggar can be seen during the final battle.
  • Strider: Strider Hiryu can be seen during the final battle.
  • Dead Rising: Frank West can be seen walking around in the Oasis.
  • Soul Calibur: Ivy is seen during the final battle.
  • Bionic Commando: Spencer can be seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Dino Crisis: Regina can be seen during the final battle.
  • Okami: Amaterasu can be seen walking in the PVP portal.
  • Fatal Fury: Mai Shiranui is seen during the final battle.
  • Crazy Taxi: B.D. Joe is briefly seen on the Oasis Racetrack getting into his Taxi.
  • Dark Souls: A Mushroom Parent and a Mushroom Child are briefly seen entering the Oasis.
  • Gears of War: Myrrah is seen during the final battle. Dizzy Walen is also briefly seen chatting with Lara Croft on the Oasis racetrack on the far right of the track..
  • Borderlands: A Borderlands shop is seen in the Oasis Mall.
  • Left 4 Dead: Hunter, Boomer, and Tank are seen during the final battle.
  • Dead Space: A Necromorph is seen during the final battle.
  • Fallout: Liberty Prime appears during the final battle.
  • LittleBigPlanet: Sackboy appears during the final battle.
  • Undertale: Sans can be seen during the final battle in the Oasis.
  • The Literature Club: Emi and Minobu can be seen in the Oasis Mall.
  • Grand Theft Auto: Big Smoke can be seen in the nightclub eating a hamburger.
  • PAYDAY: A Cloaker is seen during the final battle.

Movies

  • The Iron Giant: The Iron Giant is seen during the final battle in the Oasis.
  • Back to the Future: Parzival is seen driving a DeLorean time machine. In Aech's Basement there is a replica of the Hoverboard from Back to the Future: Part 2. When Art3mis is about to exit Aech's garage Art3mis refers Parzival to Marty McFly and does the helmet pose before exiting.
  • Akira: Art3mis drives Shotaro Kaneda's motorcycle.
  • Buckaroo Banzai: Parzival dresses up in Buckaroo's suit at the Distracted Globe.
  • Chappie: The titular character can be seen during the final battle.
  • King Kong: King Kong is seen as one of the stage hazards in the Oasis racetrack.
  • Mad Max: The Interceptor car is seen as one of the vehicles in the Oasis racetrack.
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street : Freddy Krueger is one of the Oasis civilians taken out by Aech in the PVP fight. A poster of the film can be seen in Wade's hideout van.
  • Conan the Barbarian : The titular character is briefly seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Aliens: Ellen Ripley in her yellow mech suit and a Xenomorph are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle.
  • Batman (1989 film): The Batman logo can be seen as a sticker on Wade's Oasis visor. The Batmobile featured in the film is in Aech's garage. Parzival at one point climbs Mount Everest with Batman. A Batarang can be seen spinning around in a weapon selection room. A Mini-Batman sticker can be seen on Akihide's Oasis visor.
  • Christine: The titular car can be seen amongst other famous vehicles in the Oasis racetrack.
  • Army of Darkness : The Deadites are seen in the Oasis battlefield.
  • Superman: Parzival dresses up as Clark Kent.
  • Marvel Cinematic Universe: Rocket Raccoon and Groot are seen in The Distracted Globe. The Winter Soldier is seen taking out a scorpion. Hela can be seen in the stands of the Oasis racetrack.
  • Child's Play: Chucky is amongst the Oasis civilians seen during the final battle.
  • Say Anything...: Parzival is seen holding the boombox from the film.
  • Hellboy: The titular character can be briefly seen during the final battle.
  • Spawn: The titular character can be seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • The 7th Voyage of Sinbad: The Cyclops can be seen during the final battle and can also be seen walking around the Oasis.
  • Jurassic Park/Jurassic World: Rexy the Tyrannosaurus Rex can be seen as one of the obstacle hazards in the Oasis racetrack, chasing Aech's monster truck. The Space Invaders Arcade cabinet in Aech's basement has a huge Jurassic Park logo sticker on to it.
  • Transformers film series: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Nitro Zeus are seen amongst the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Megatron and Sentinel Prime are seen transforming into vehicle mode on the Oasis racetrack. Onslaught can be seen entering a PVP Portal in the Oasis.
  • Star Wars: Kylo Ren, General Grievous and Boba Fett are seen amongst the Oasis civilians before the final battle. Darth Vader is seen in The Distracted Globe. C-3PO and R2-D2 are seen walking on the Oasis racetrack, and are also seen briefly entering the Oasis alongside Jango Fett. X-Wings and AT-ATs are seen flying in the sky during the final battle. Han Solo can be seen being taken out by Aech. Darth Maul can be seen fighting Parzival during the final battle after Parzival ignites a blue Lightsaber. A group of Stormtroopers can be seen working together with the Spartans during the final battle.
  • Classic Godzilla films: Mechagodzilla and Gigan are seen amongst the Oasis civilians during the final battle fighting the Iron Giant, Optimus Prime, and Gundam. King Ghidorah is seen in New York on the Oasis racetrack as one of the stage hazards. Rodan is seen during the final battle flying over Gundam. Battra and Titanosaurus can be seen being destroyed by a Group of Sixers.
  • Friday the 13th: Jason Voorhees is seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle.
  • Gremlins: Multiple Gremlins are briefly seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. A poster of a Mogwai (most likely Gizmo) can be seen on the set of the film. A sticker of a Gremlin is seen in Wade's hideout van.
  • War of the Worlds: A Tripod is seen during the final battle.
  • Tron: A Blue Lightcycle is seen on the Oasis racetrack.
  • Cars: Mater is seen on the Oasis racetrack.
  • Avatar: A Na'vi is seen during the final battle.
  • Ghostbusters: The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is seen during the final battle.
  • Pacific Rim: Gipsy Danger is seen during the final battle.
  • Big Hero 6: Baymax is seen during the final battle.
  • DC Extended Universe: Steppenwolf appears in The Distracted Globe. Enchantress is seen during the final battle.
  • MonsterVerse: Godzilla can be seen attacking Megalon in the distance on the Oasis racetrack.
  • Indiana Jones: The titular character is seen during the final battle. A replica of the golden idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark on a shelf in Aech's basement.
  • Gamera: The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • The Shining: There is a Flicksync based on the movie that acts as a quest.
  • The Neverending Story: Falkor can be seen in the Oasis.
  • National Lampoon's Vacation: The Griswold Family Truckster can briefly be seen in the Oasis race when Art3mis skids past on her Akira bike.
  • Mothra: The titular character is briefly seen during the final battle.
  • Labyrinth: There is a poster of the film in Wade's hideout van.
  • Cloverfield: Kishin is briefly seen in New York battling King Kong as is also a stage hazard.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2010s films): Leonardo and Raphael are seen in The Distracted Globe, and are later seen next to Parzival in the Oasis. Donatello is killed by Sixers during the IOI attack. Michelangelo can be seen in the final battle in the Oasis.
  • Wall-E: The titular character is seen next to Parzival in The Distracted Globe.
  • Real Steel: Atom is seen during the final battle.
  • G.I Joe: Snake Eyes and Duke are seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch is seen during the final battle.
  • Saturday Night Fever: There are multiple mini-dance floors based off the film in The Distracted Globe.
  • The Terminator films: The T-1000 and T-101 are seen during the final battle.
  • Catwoman: Catwoman is seen during the final battle.
  • Toy Story: Buzz Lightyear is seen during the final battle.
  • Sharknado: Fin Shepard is seen with his chainsaw during the final battle.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow is seen during the final battle.
  • The Matrix: Neo is seen giving Wade a mushroom during the final battle. The opening logos for the film has purple patterns of the green text in the matrix. A Matrix poster can be seen among newspaper articles in Wade's hideout van.
  • The Incredibles: Mr. Incredible is seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Jason and the Argonauts: The Living Skeletons can be seen during the final battle.
  • Predator: The titular character is seen next to Deadshot during the final battle.
  • Ice Age: Sid can briefly be seen entering the Oasis. Manny and Diego can be seen during the final battle. Captain Gutt and his crew are also seen in the PVP fight. Scrat can be seen in the Oasis Mall.
  • Jaws: A poster of a Great White Shark can be seen when the film crew are making a movie called Ready Player One.
  • Monsters Inc.: Mike Wazowski can be seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze: Tokka is seen during the final battle.
  • Robocop: The ED-209 can be seen in Aech's garage. The titular character is briefly seen entering the Oasis.
  • Spaceballs: Eagle 5 can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Austin Powers: The upside-down T shaped rocket can be seen taking out the force field on the castle.
  • Pee-Wee's Big Adventure: Pee-Wee's bicycle can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Elf: Buddy is seen hopping in the Oasis.
  • Space Jam: Charles Barkley is seen performing a Chaos Dunk during the PvP fight.
  • Rise of the Guardians: Jack Frost appears during the final battle.
  • How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup and Toothless appear during the final battle.
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey: The Space Pod can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Ferris Bueller's Day Off: The red Ferrari can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A poster of E.T. can be seen when the crew are making the film.
  • Zootopia: Nick Wilde is seen in The Distracted Globe. Judy Hopps and Chief Bogo appear during the Oasis Copper Key race.
  • Rock Dog: Bodi can be seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • The Goonies: The Goonies logo is printed on a James Halliday Newspaper Article. Sloth can be seen during the final battle.
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Roger Rabbit is seen walking around the Oasis mall. Jessica Rabbit is seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice appears during the final battle.
  • Over the Hedge: RJ is seen in the Oasis Mall. Hammy can be seen during the final battle.
  • Last Action Hero: Jack Slater III is showing at the theatre.
  • Clash of the Titans: The Kraken appears during the final battle.
  • The Breakfast Club: John Bender can be seen walking in the Oasis next to Nightwing.
  • Wreck-It Ralph: Ralph can be seen during the final battle.
  • 22 Jump Street: Jeff can be seen during the final battle.
  • The Dark Knight Rises: Bill Wilson is seen during the final battle.

Comics/Literature

  • DC Comics: A Wonder Woman sticker is seen on Art3mis's Akira bike. Deathstroke, Doctor Fate, Poison Ivy, Killer Frost, Wonder Woman, Joker, and Harley Quinn are seen in The Distracted Globe. Batman, Deadshot, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Black Manta and Flash are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Superman and Robin are seen taking out a Sixer. The Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle is shown walking next to Parzival in the Oasis. A random person in Ohio is wearing a Flash t-shirt. Green Lantern can be seen being taken out by Aech in the PVP fight. Hawkman can be seen multiple times in the Oasis and later during the final battle swooping over Wade's DeLorean. Wade mentions Lex Luthor to Art3mis. Nightwing is seen walking around the Oasis after Tracer enters a PVP portal. A Wonder Woman logo badge is on Helen's jacket. Supergirl and Firestorm can be seen in a Group of people in the Oasis
  • Marvel Comics: Peter Parker and Bruce Banner are mentioned by Parzival. Deadpool, Iron Man, Hulk, Spider-Man, Loki and Thanos are seen in the crowd of Oasis civilians during the final battle. Black Widow and Hawkeye are seen in The Distracted Globe. Scarlet Witch, Captain America, Wolverine and Doctor Doom are seen chasing a Sixer. The Infinity Gauntlet is seen in Aech's garage. Magneto and Ultron can be seen entering a portal in the Oasis. The Wasp can be seen flying around in the Oasis.
  • The Lord of the Rings: Gandalf is seen in The Distracted Globe. A Cave Troll can be during the final battle in the Oasis. Aech uses an Orc as his selected Oasis avatar.
  • Harry Potter: The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • Hägar the Horrible: The titular character is briefly seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • The Maze Runner: A Griever is seen during the final battle. Thomas and Sonya are seen in The Distracted Globe and are also seen confronting Parzival during the Copper Key Race.
  • The Black Order: Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive are seen during the final battle.
  • Lady Death: The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • The Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen is seen during the final battle.
  • Garfield: A Garfield sticker is seen inside Wade's hideout van.
  • Scott Pilgrim: Roxy Richter is seen during the final battle.
  • Alice in Wonderland: The Jabberwocky is seen during the final battle.
  • Watchmen: A Watchmen Smiley can be seen as a sticker in Wade's hideout van.

Contemporary

  • Bigfoot: Aech drives the vehicle on the Oasis racetrack.
  • Simon (game): The game is seen as a pin on James Halliday's jacket.
  • Atari 2600: The game console is hanging on a wire in Wade's hideout van. An Atari sticker is on the front of Art3mis's bike.
  • Madballs: Repville is seen as graffiti in the real world of Ohio.
  • Hello Kitty: The titular character, Kerropi, and Badtz-Maru can be briefly seen in the Oasis. A sticker decal of the titular character can also be seen on Art3mis's bike.
  • Warhammer 40,000: Eldar is seen during the final battle.
  • Hot Wheels: A part of The Oasis Copper Key race includes Hot Wheels-inspired ramps.
  • The Broternal Order of Different Helmets: Diana Newdean and Arsene and Edited Video Greg watch Jepoardy in the night club. Tounge Twister, Ivyboy, Waddlem'n and the Three Different Wrestlers are seen in the Oasis Mall and their Power Rangers forms are seen during the final battle.
  • Tsuchinoko: A Tsuchinoko is seen double jumping during the final battle.
  • Laser Tag: The 1980's Laser Tag can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Garbage Pail Kids: Lots of Garbage Pail Kids cards are stuck on the wall of Wade's hideout van.
  • 80's Snacks: In Wade's hideout van, there are wrappers of a M&M's packet and Cheeto's. In an IOI van, there are some 80's Doritos.
  • Nerf: A Nerf blaster can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Apple: A Macintosh computer is among Wade's possession while he's in his hideout.
  • Gameboy: A Gameboy can be seen in Wade’s hideout van.
  • Rubik Cube: In the Oasis Mall a shop named the cube with a giant Rubik cube can be seen briefly.

TV Shows/Cartoons

  • Knight Rider: Parzival's DeLorean is outfitted with KITT.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The RX-78-2 Gundam mech is seen during the final battle in the Oasis.
  • Seinfeld: The movie opens with a stand-up comedy bit from Jerry Seinfeld from inside the Oasis, where Jerry asks "What's the deal with video games anyway?".
  • Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The movie ends with Halliday's egg being held by Frank Reynolds, who offers "would you like an egg in this trying time?"
  • The Simpsons: Homer's Pink Sedan and Marge's Canyonero are seen on the Oasis racetrack. Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are seen during a Flicksync of the episode The Secret War of Lisa Simpson . Sneed's Feed and Seed store is seen in the background. Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers are seen during the final battle.
  • Family Guy: Brian Griffin is seen at The Distracted Globe.
  • RWBY: Ruby is seen wielding Crescent Rose in the final battle.
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: Sokka takes out a Sixer with his trusty boomerang during the final battle.
  • Batman (1966 series): The Batmobile from the show is seen as one of the vehicles in the Oasis racetrack.
  • Digimon: Digital Monsters: Tai Kamiya and Agumon are seen in The Distracted Globe. WarGreymon is seen during the final battle.
  • The Greatest American Hero: Ralph Hinkley's superhero logo can be seen as a sticker on Art3mis's Akira bike.
  • The A-Team: The A-Team van is seen as one of the vehicles in the Oasis racetrack.
  • Speed Racer: The Mach 5 can be seen as one of the vehicles in the Oasis racetrack.
  • Fairly Oddparents: Cosmo is seen during the final battle.
  • Danny Phantom: The titular character is seen during the final battle
  • Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor is seen during the final battle. A group of Daleks are seen during the PVP fight.
  • Spongebob Squarepants: The titular character and Patrick Star are seen driving the Patty Wagon from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in the Oasis racetrack. Plankton is seen during the final battle as Plank-Ton from The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.
  • Steven Universe: Peridot is killed by IOI employees during their attack.
  • The Powerpuff Girls: Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup and Mojo Jojo are seen during the final battle.
  • South Park: Kenny gets killed by an IOI employee.
  • Power Rangers: The Megazord is seen during the final battle.
  • The Big Bang Theory : Parzival is seen owning a shirt with “Bazinga” on it. Sheldon Cooper is seen in the Oasis mall, seen chatting with Alf.
  • He-Man: The titular character is seen during the final battle. Wade has a He-Man lunchbox in his hideout van.
  • She-Ra: The titular character is seen during the final battle.
  • Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids: Fat Albert can be seen in the final battle.
  • Homestar Runner: Senor Cardgage and the Family Might/could are used as avatars in the final battle.
  • Alf: The titular character is seen in the Oasis mall, having a conversation with Sheldon Cooper. An Alf plush toy can be seen on Aech's couch in his basement.
  • Phineas and Ferb: Perry the Platypus is mentioned by Wade.
  • Thundercats: Parzival wears a belt with the Thundercats logo on the buckle. Snarf appears as graffiti in Ohio.
  • Breaking Bad: Walter White appears walking down the OASIS.
  • Voltron: Defender of the Universe: A Voltron Lion is seen during the final battle. Planet Doom is the setting of the final battle.
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Evangelion Units are seen during the final battle.
  • Gravity Falls: Bill Cipher is seen during the final battle.
  • Game of Thrones: Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen are seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • The Flintstones: Fred Flintstone is seen as graffiti in Ohio.
  • Naruto Shippudden: Naruto is seen during the final battle.
  • Dragon Ball Z: Goku is seen during the final battle several times, going Super Sayan on screen and firing his Kamehameha at a Sixer. Piccolo is seen in The Distracted Globe, and is also seen briefly during the final battle.
  • Fairy Tail: Natsu and Happy can be seen during the final battle.
  • My Hero Academia: Midoriya can be seen during the final battle.
  • Death Note: Ryuk is seen during the final battle.
  • Hey Arnold!: Wade mentions it on the list of his favorite TV shows.
  • The Walking Dead: Negan is seen during the final Battle.
  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Ghost Rider is seen riding his motorcycle during the Oasis race.
  • Stranger Things: The Demogorgon is seen during the final battle. Eleven is seen entering the Oasis.
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Ahsoka Tano is seen during the final battle fighting a Sixer.
  • Star Wars Rebels: Ezra Bridger and Kanan Juarrus are seen during the final battle fighting a Sixer.
  • Yokai Watch: Jibanyan is seen during the final battle.
  • Exosquad: The Exosuit can be seen in Aech's garage.
  • Pinky and the Brain: Both Pinky and The Brain can be seen as graffiti when the film crew are making the movie Ready Player One.
  • Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels: Captain Caveman can be seen as a graffiti when the film crew are making the movie Ready Player One.
  • Cowboy Bebop: The Swordfish 2 can be seen on the official poster for Ready Player One. A miniature version of Swordfish 2 can be seen on the work table of Aech's garage.
  • Looney Tunes: Marvin the Martian is briefly seen entering the Oasis. A Looney Tunes shop can briefly be seen in the Oasis Mall. Pepé Le Pew and Penelope Pussycat are seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters: Yami Yugi is seen during the final battle. Seto Kaiba appears as a Sixer avatar.
  • Animaniacs: Yakko, Wakko, and Dot are seen in the Oasis Mall. Slappy Squirrel is seen during the final battle.
  • Jem and the Holograms: Jem is seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Sesame Street: Big Bird and Snuffy are seen walking down the Oasis. Super Grover is seen flying during the final battle.
  • Warehouse 13: An IOI spider looks kind a like a M.A.R.A. spider.
  • Attack on Titan: Eren Jaegar in his Titan form is seen during the final battle.
  • Sinful: Gluttony and Lust are seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Sword Art Online: Lizbeth and Sterben can be seen in the final battle, with the latter seen as a Sixer Avatar. Akihiko Kayaba appears in Graffiti in Ohio. Klein and Kirito are seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Beyblade: Madoka Amano is seen as a mechanic on the Oasis racetrack.

Music/Musicians

  • A-ha: An orchestral version of "Take On Me" is played in some trailers.
  • The Bee Gees: "Stayin' Alive" is played during Parzival and Art3mis' dance routine
  • Daft Punk: "Lose Yourself to Dance" plays at The Distracted Globe.
  • Stormzy: "Big for Your Boots" plays during Aech's chat session.
  • Wham!: "Wake Up Before You Go-Go" is the sound of Wade's alarm clock.
  • Miley Cyrus: "Wrecking Ball" The wrecking balls can be seen on the Oasis racetrack as one of the hazards.
  • Michael Jackson: Parzival tries out a Michael Jackson outfit before going to the Distracted Globe.
  • Prince: Before going to The Distracted Globe, Parzival tries out a Prince outfit.
  • Pink Floyd: Marching Hammers are seen in the final battle.
  • Duran Duran: Before going to The Distracted Globe, Parzival tries out a Duran Duran outfit.
  • Hatsune Miku: The titular character is seen in The Distracted Globe.
  • Devo: The bartender at The Distracted Globe is wearing a Devo hat.
  • Van Halen: "Jump" can be heard during the trailer for Ready Player One.
  • RUSH: "Tom Sawyer" can be heard during the trailer for Ready Player One.
  • Evanescence: "Bring Me to Life" can be heard for a few seconds during the final battle.

Cameos/Gallery

Gallery

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