Pixar is officially back on top. Released on March 6, 2026, Hoppers — the studio's latest original animated feature — didn't just open strong. It made a statement, delivering the best debut for a Pixar original film since Coco back in 2017.
What's Hoppers About?
At its core, Hoppers is a wildly inventive sci-fi comedy about Mabel Tanaka (voiced by Piper Curda), a 19-year-old animal lover who uses cutting-edge technology to transfer her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver. What begins as a desperate attempt to save a threatened wildlife habitat quickly spirals into a full-on animal kingdom uprising — complete with political intrigue, a slick villain mayor, and one very confused beaver king.
Directed by Daniel Chong (We Bare Bears) and written by Jesse Andrews, the film features a stacked voice cast: Jon Hamm as the charming-but-sinister Mayor Jerry Generazzo, Bobby Moynihan as the lovable King George, Meryl Streep as the imperious Insect Queen, and Dave Franco as her scheming son Titus.
What Critics Are Saying
The critical reception has been nothing short of electric. Hoppers currently holds a 93% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety's Peter Debruge described the film as "like Bambi on crack" — a nature parable that "keeps twisting and turning and surprising you." He specifically praised Bobby Moynihan's performance, noting that George brings "a touch of Paul Giamatti's melancholic charm to the role, making him both endearing and slightly confused, idealistic yet poignantly sad." Meryl Streep is called out for channeling "a bug version of Miranda Priestly," and Piper Curda is compared favorably to Amy Poehler's Riley from the Inside Out franchise.
Flickering Myth called the film a politically layered adventure, noting that Mabel's mission grows far more complex when animal kings with competing egos get involved — making it an unexpectedly sharp social commentary wrapped in colorful animation.
Breaking the Box Office
The numbers speak for themselves. Hoppers launched to $46 million domestically in its opening weekend, playing across approximately 4,000 theaters nationwide — including 400 IMAX screens. Globally, the film powered to an impressive $88 million worldwide opening weekend, marking a significant win for Pixar after a string of Disney+ premieres in recent years.
Deadline noted the debut surpasses the opening weekends of The Wild Robot and Dog Man, and is the best domestic launch for a Pixar original since Coco's $50.8 million three-day debut in 2017. For context, last year's high-profile sci-fi film Mickey 17 debuted to just $19 million — making Hoppers' performance all the more impressive for a purely original story with no existing IP to lean on.
Why It Matters
Hoppers arrives at a pivotal moment for Pixar. After years of sequels (Lightyear, Elemental, Elio) underperforming or heading straight to streaming, this film proves audiences will show up in droves for a bold, original concept — if it's executed with heart and ambition.
The film blends genuine environmental themes with laugh-out-loud comedy and a surprisingly sharp political subplot, making it accessible for kids while giving adults plenty to chew on. It's the rare animated film that earns its runtime through sheer creativity, not franchise nostalgia.
Bottom Line
Hoppers is the Pixar movie we've been waiting for. It's funny, thought-provoking, visually spectacular, and proof that original storytelling still has a massive audience. Whether you're a longtime Pixar fan or just looking for a great night out, this one is absolutely worth the trip to the theater.
Hoppers is now playing in theaters nationwide, including IMAX and large-format screens.
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