This page lists all the pop culture references that appear throughout the original Inspector Gadget, listed in order alphabetical.
- 1984 Winter Olympics - Winterland, the setting of the pilot episode, appears to be a parody of Sarajevo, where the next Winter Olympics were to take place in real life.
- Airplane! (1980)
- Alice in Wonderland (1951) - Professor Thumphkin from "Monster Lake" appears to be a parody of the Caterpillar, and the syndication title for the pilot episode resembles the title of this film.
- The Big Boss (1971) - The title of "The Japanese Connection".
- A Bridge Too Far (1977) - Dr. Claw name drops this film in "Basic Training".
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- Dr. Strangelove (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) (1964)
- Dracula (1931) - Dick's disguise in "Haunted Castle".
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Frankenstein (1931) - Fred's disguise in "Haunted Castle".
- The French Chef (1963-1973) - Metro City Elementary School is hinted in "In Seine" to use episodes of this series, including the early episode "French Crepes", as educational material
- The French Connection (1971) - The title of "The Japanese Connection".
- Get Smart (1965-1970) - In some episodes, Gadget uses one of Maxwell Smart's catchphrases (usually either "Would you believe...?" or "Sorry about that, Chief.", though "The Emerald Duck" instead had him use Smart's "second biggest" catchphrase). Additionally, the title character of "Fang the Wonder Dog" shares his name with Maxwell Smart's dog.
- Goldfinger (1964) - The title of "Greenfinger", as well as Professor Easewell's attempt to execute Penny in "Clear Case".
- Indianapolis 500 - The Metropolis 500 race in "Race to the Finish" is a parody.
- King Kong (1933) - Chief Quimby's disguise in "Art Heist" and the title of "King Wrong".
- King of the Carnival (1955) - "Gadget at the Circus" spoofs this Republic serial.
- King of the Gypsies (1978) - The title of "Prince of the Gypsies".
- The Mechanical Monsters (1941) - In "In Seine", a humanoid robot is used to steal jewelry.
- Pac-Man (1980) - One of M.A.D.'s monitors in "Did You Myth Me? shows a diagram of the labyrinth that stylistically resembles the maze in this game.
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - "The Curse of the Pharaoh" and "The Emerald Duck" both have Gadget being pursued by a rolling boulder.
- The Raven (1935) - The final death trap in "Haunted Castle" was inspired by the final death trap of this film.
- Star Trek (1966-1969)
- Star Wars (1977) - Sound effects from this film can be heard in some episodes.
- Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928) - Gadget recreates Buster Keaton's famous stunt in the final act.
- The War of the Worlds (1953) - "The Invasion" spoofs this film.
- The Way of the Dragon (1972) - The title of "Eye of the Dragon".
- Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968) - In "The Boat", Gadget asks this question when interrogating the passengers after the jewels are lifted.
- The Wolf Man (1941) - Squirt's disguise in "Haunted Castle".
- The Woody Woodpecker Show (1957-1972)
- Young Frankenstein (1974) - "The Amazon" spoofs its ending.