'Lizard, Lizard, Lizard': TikTok's Latest Obsession from Pixar's Realm!
Lately, an unexpected star has emerged from the digital void, captivating TikTokers worldwide. Meet Tom, the whimsical cartoon lizard from Pixar’s latest masterpiece, whose catchy “lizard, lizard, lizard” refrain has sparked an unfathomable viral trend. But who is Tom, and why is he resonating so deeply with audiences?
A Cinematic Debut with a Viral Tail
This curious green reptile originates from a captivating post-credit scene in Pixar’s “Elio,” released this June. However, Tom is destined for greater things, with a return slated in Pixar’s “Hoppers” next spring. The teaser showcases Tom in a shadowy room, hypnotically engaging with a small lizard icon, each tap resonating with an automated “lizard” utterance—a moment that was initially intended as a mere promotional piece has since lit up the digital world as a meme.
How Tom Conquered TikTok
The journey to viral fame began with YouTuber, The Pixar Nerd, who introduced the peculiar scene to the wider internet. Since then, Tom’s “lizard” chant has infiltrated TikTok in innumerable creative remixes, inspiring videos showcasing relatable everyday antics.
From representing the monotony of a workday to embodying playful mischief, the meme’s flexibility has expanded its reach dramatically, leading to over 78,000 videos leveraging a green-screen template on TikTok.
The Creative Spin-Offs: From T-shirts to EDM
The ‘Lizard’ meme hasn’t limited itself to screens. Enthusiastic fans have celebrated Tom in diverse forms: shirts paying homage to the now-iconic scene, and even edible artistry with cakes designed around this quirky character, including movable smacking arms. Musically, Tom continues to burst through boundaries with lizard-remix mashups combining his chant with songs from Cardi B, Eminem, and more, generating millions of views both online and offline.
A Cultural Phenomenon Acknowledged by Pixar
Acknowledging the surge of excitement, Pixar’s social media celebrated Tom and teased the audience with glimmers of his re-appearance in “Hoppers” set for theaters March 6, 2026. Intriguingly, while Tom remains absent from the trailer, his developing cultural persona ensures his presence is felt—a testament to the power of memes in contemporary storytelling.
Amidst the waves of fanfare and comedic affection, Tom the lizard persists as a neurological earworm, burrowing into the collective consciousness of internet denizens. According to NBC News, his meteoric rise isn’t just a testament to Pixar’s storytelling prowess but an illustration of how digital communities seize narratives, shaping them into shared cultural lexicons overnight.
The simplicity of Tom’s repetitive, charming loop lies at the heart of its humor, a gentle reminder of the delightful quirks technology can magnify. As the world awaits “Hoppers,” Tom’s realm continues growing, captivating imaginations and feeding an insatiable hunger for joyful, unabashed creativity.
