Parijat Ghosh 
Pixar is hopping into 2026 with one of its most unusual original stories yet. Hoppers blends science fiction, comedy, and environmental adventure into a fast-paced animated spectacle. Early screenings have sparked enthusiastic reactions, with viewers praising its humor, emotional beats, and inventive premise. Here is everything to know about the film’s plot, cast, and why it already has great reviews.
Plot: A Teen, A Beaver, And A Big Environmental Fight
The story follows Mabel Tanaka, a 19-year-old animal lover who volunteers for an experimental technology that transfers human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals. Yes, you read that right. She “hops” into a robotic beaver body to communicate with wildlife and protect their forest habitat from destruction.
What begins as a dream experience quickly turns into a mission. A construction project backed by a greedy mayor threatens the ecosystem, pushing Mabel to unite the animal kingdom in resistance. Along the way, she discovers that animal society has its own politics, rivalries, and bizarre rules. The adventure mixes ecological themes with action comedy and heartfelt moments about empathy and coexistence.
Who’s in the Cast
Pixar always fills its movies with voice stars who bring the characters to life, and Hoppers is stacked:
- Piper Curda voices Mabel Tanaka.
- Bobby Moynihan plays King George.
- Jon Hamm voices Mayor Jerry Generazzo.
- Meryl Streep takes on Insect Queen.
- Dave Franco brings flair as Titus, an insect troublemaker with big plans.
- Kathy Najimy, Sam Richardson, Eduardo Franco, Aparna Nancherla, and others round out an ensemble that keeps the laughs and surprises coming.
Special guest alert: pop star SZA contributed an original song to the soundtrack called Save The Day, adding fresh musical energy to the movie’s end credits.
Behind the Scenes
The movie is directed by Daniel Chong, best known for creating the hit series We Bare Bears. Chong developed the story idea in late 2020 after returning to Pixar, and teamed up with screenwriter Jesse Andrews to shape a script full of laughs, surprises and emotional beats.
Pixar announced Hoppers at a fan event in 2024 and has been teasing audiences with trailers that lean into both adventure and absurdity. The animation blends crisp visuals with a vibrant animal world full of expressive characters and unexpected challenges.
What Early Watchers Are Saying
Before most people see it in theaters, critics and audiences at advance screenings have already been sharing their thoughts. So far they’re loving:
- How funny it is, calling it one of Pixar’s funniest films yet.
- How original the premise feels, mixing emotion with jokes that land.
That the story can be both silly and surprisingly meaningful about how we relate to nature and each other. Many commentators even go a step further and say Hoppers could become one of Pixar’s more memorable original movies because it doesn’t just repeat old formulas, it plays with them in hilarious new ways.
Hoppers had its big premiere on February 23rd in Hollywood. It will roll out to more audiences soon, with festival screenings at the New York International Children’s Film Festival on February 28 and a full theatrical release across the United States on March 6, 2026.
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