Pixar’s latest animated flick, Hoppers, balances Sci-Fi and nature with gorgeous animation and important themes, even if it may not work for everyone.
Hoppers
Directed By: Daniel Chong
Written By: Jesse Andrews
Starring: Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Kathy Jajimy, Jon Hamm
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Before Toy Story 5 arrives to emotionally devastate us later this year, Pixar has something fresh and original for audiences to enjoy with Hoppers. Set in the city of Beaverton, the film puts the focus on Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda), a precocious young woman whose passion for animals continues to get her in trouble. She spends her childhood with her grandmother who not only helps calm Mabel’s impulses, but deepens her appreciation for nature in general thanks to the forest glade nearby.
Following her grandma’s passing, Mabel (now in college) is dedicated to protecting the glade and keeping it preserved for all the animals who dwell within. Mayor Jerry’s (John Hamm) new highway overpass, however, threatens the glade and Mabel will do anything necessary to stop it from happening.
Her opportunity comes when she inadvertently discovers her college professor, Dr. Sam Fairfax (Kathy Najimy), has developed a secret technology to study animals. Yes, much like the film itself jokes about, the concept behind the tech is essentially like James Cameron’s Avatar.
Using the tech to put her mind into the robotic body of a beaver, Mabel infiltrates the unseen kingdom of the natural world and befriends King George (Bobby Moynihan). Through him, she works to convince the animals to help take back their forest glade and stop Jerry once and for all. When she accidentally sets the factions of the animal kingdom to war against humanity, however, Mabel must find a way to set things right.
I don’t want to spoil stuff, so I’ll leave it at that. What I enjoyed most about this story, is how, even with everything going on, it doesn’t get bogged down in all the side elements/worldbuilding. There are many things in the film which could have easily been the focus of the story all on its own, from Mabel’s strained relationship with her mother to the unexpected world of the animal “Council” that rules everything. Hell, the Sci-Fi aspect of the “Hoppers” technology, and it’s potential repercussions, could be its own movie. Honestly, going into the film, that’s what I was expecting it all to be about!
Instead, even with all these ancillary things going on within the plot—all of which helps to flesh out the world and make it feel more developed/real—Hoppers doesn’t veer off-track. It keeps things laser focused on Mabel’s journey and the animals of the glade. As is the case with most Pixar flicks (despite the asinine comments made by Pete Doctor recently), the real heart of the story is in the message it passes on.
Hoppers doesn’t look to keep things black and white in its themes. It could have easily been a story about the terrible expansion of humans into the natural world, painting the humans as villains and critters as the plucky heroes. In fact, this is the mindset Mabel has in the story, a very straightforward worldview that doesn’t reflect the reality of things.
Instead, the story is as much about Mabel having to learn about the important of balance as it is about rescuing the glade and setting things right. It’s not that Mabel’s outlook is necessarily wrong (Jerry’s plans do suck and is dramatically impacting nature), but is too narrow. Being forced to reckon with the idea of being a smaller part of a larger world is an important part of growing up. Moreso, it’s an crucial part of understanding and empathy.
This is where Hoppers puts its focus and for me, this is easily the best thing about it. The themes about needing to balance your passions with the needs of others; of embracing the natural order of things and knowing when to fight for what’s right; and doing what needs to be done without compromising yourself in the process are things I’ve been thinking on the most since watching it alongside my daughter.
It’s an impressive amount of depth for an animated adventure and doesn’t treat the kiddos (who are the primary audience) as too dumb to understand. Rather it does an excellent job of showing these elements in action, and weaving together through a story that brings about plenty of fun and humor in the process. In a lot of ways, it’s Pixar doing what it does best when it’s firing on all cylinders.
The humor and jokes are fantastic all around and don’t hit you over the head with them. There’s a more subtle quality to many of the big “gags” that very much harken back to Daniel Chong’s roots with the We Bare Bears. Some of the biggest laughs in the film came from the smallest moments that nevertheless sent the kids in the audience wild. The result is a kind of humor inserted throughout the film that is easy for both kids and adults to enjoy.
For me, however, one of the greatest things about Hoppers is the art style. This animation is INSANE. It’s almost like the animals are given a puppet quality to them. I don’t think I’m explaining it right, but it literally feels like you could reach out and touch the fluff on these animals. The texture of the fur, down to the flow of water, and everything in between is absolutely stunning.
Beyond that, I loved how the film uses it’s unique art style to further it’s visual storytelling. There are key differences between how the animals look when we’re presented with a human perspective, and when we’re immersed in their world. It’s a small shift, but dynamically tells viewers when perspectives have changed—or in some cases, merged. Hoppers is littered with smart visual cues like this that helps firmly establish the film’s world without needing much exposition or dialog.
Generally speaking, Hoppers does so many things right that it feels like Pixar at its best. The themes and animation alone make the ticket purchase worthwhile. And yet…something about it isn’t clicking with me as much as I’d hoped. It has all the right elements. I loved the characters, the jokes, the story, but there’s this nagging feeling. A sense that, for all the great things it does, it might not be a Pixar film I return to very often.
It’s been hard to pinpoint—I assure you I’ve been trying—but I haven’t been able to shake the feeling. By all means, I don’t think it’s a reason to skip out on this one. In fact, I’m hoping a second watch might resolve the unknown issue. It’s just something to be aware of as you might find yourself similarly inclined.
