The pool hall where Benvolio and Romeo play is called "The Globe Theatre." The Globe Theatre in London was where most (if not all) of Shakespeare's plays were performed.

The song that the Montagues sing throughout the movie, 'A Pretty Piece of Flesh I Am,' is a quote from the play.

In the fight at the petrol station they are using guns instead of swords (which were used in Shakespearian times), however, when it's said "draw your swords", the dialogue didn't have to be changed for this part, because the film directors made it so that the make of the gun was "sword". Also, when Capulet says "Hand me my Longsword", he reaches for a rifle, most likely from the same factory that made the Sword pistols.

The wings on Juliet's masque costume are re-used in another Baz Luhrmann film: One of the Diamond Dogs in Moulin Rouge has the wings on her costume.

In Romeo's first scene (between him and Benvolio) there is a billboard in the background for "The Merchant of Venice Beach." A reference to Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice.

When Romeo is talking to the priest near the beginning of the movie the priest is holding up a plant of some kind. Look closely at the plant - it looks exacly like the playboy bunny.

The way Romeo and Juliet discover each other is the same way Romeo and Juliet discover each other in the 1968 version, through an aquarium.