Pixar’s latest animated feature film Hoppers premiered in theatres on March 6th, 2026. The film tackles themes of environmentality, power, and personal connection.
The studio’s previous film Elio was met with lackluster reception, marking itself as the lowest grossing opening weekend at the box office for a Pixar film ever. Thankfully, Hoppers is a swing back in the right direction for the company. Hoppers excels due to its thoughtful message, witty humor, and detailed animation.
In a sea of sequels on Pixar’s upcoming slate, such as a second Coco, a third Incredibles, and a fifth Toy Story, Hoppers makes it clear that original stories still deserve to be told.
Hoppers follows a 19 year old college student named Mabel, who loves animals and cares deeply about the issues affecting her small town of Beaverton. When the greedy local mayor plans to blow up a beaver dam to make way for a highway, she ‘hops’ her brain into an animatronic beaver to convince the animals to help stop the project.
It’s a pretty out-there concept, even for a Pixar movie. Think Avatar, but with beavers!
Hoppers is the perfect response to the feeling that many are facing right now: Does my small voice even matter in a world that can feel so bleak? How do I cope with feeling insignificant in a political climate so stacked against change?
Mabel struggles with these exact feelings, desperately wanting to make a positive change in her community but feeling restricted and bound by the system stacked against her. She is frustrated by the greed of humanity, and struggles to cope with her emotions of anger and powerlessness.
The result is a story that deeply connects to our world today.
The third act is a bit chaotically overstuffed with payoff for the many story threads, but it still manages to tie them all up in an exciting and engaging way. It’s clear that Pixar gave the team behind this film a lot of creative freedom and room for play.
The voice acting of Hoppers is stellar, and the animation is expressive and fluid. Animals are given distinct eye styles for if they’re being seen through the eyes of other animals that can understand them, vs humans who cannot. It’s a simple visual cue that makes a big difference, as the film shifts from both perspectives frequently.
Pixar’s team dedicated extensive research time to perfectly capturing the animals of the film, visiting Yellowstone National Park to observe beavers and their habitats. This attention to detail is evident, and the setting of the film and its inhabitants feel like a real living, breathing ecosystem.
If you’re looking for a funny and energetic, yet meaningful film, go see Hoppers in theatres or stream it on Disney+ now!
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