AceShowbiz - Hoppers, Pixar's latest animated feature, is receiving widespread acclaim, debuting with an impressive 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This marks the studio’s strongest critical reception for an original movie since 2019's Toy Story 4, and ties the score of beloved classics like Monsters, Inc. and Ratatouille. With 56 reviews counted so far, the rating may fluctuate but currently signals a major win for the studio.

The film tells the story of 19-year-old animal enthusiast Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), who is magically transformed into a robotic beaver. The plot centers around her efforts to protect the forest and its inhabitants from a developer’s plan to build a highway, threatening their homes. Drawing inspiration from the Avatar franchise, Hoppers blends humor with an environmental message focused on climate change.

Critics have praised Hoppers as a revitalizing entry for Pixar, highlighting its combination of wild humor and meaningful themes. In ScreenRant’s review, Gregory Nussen calls the movie one of Pixar’s best recent efforts despite its unconventional approach, referring to it as one of the studio’s "most bizarre outputs." He describes director Daniel Chong’s work as a "lively, fast-paced, comically resplendent climate change allegory" that defies typical children’s film conventions. Nussen notes that while the film is somewhat unhinged by those standards, it remains "magnanimous" and "a true joy." He awarded it 7 out of 10 stars, seeing it as a promising new direction for Pixar that still trusts young audiences to grasp important messages while enjoying the comedy.

Hoppers’ success is particularly significant given Pixar’s recent struggles with original films. Known for classics like the Toy Story series, WALL-E, and Ratatouille, the studio faced challenges following the pandemic’s impact on the movie industry starting in 2020. Films such as Soul, Luca, and Turning Red were primarily released on streaming platforms or simultaneously streamed and released in theaters but were generally well-received.

However, the reception for Lightyear in 2022 was mixed, both critically and financially. The Toy Story spinoff earned $226.4 million but failed to meet expectations, sparking concern over Pixar’s original content strategy. More recently, the 2025 original film Elio earned an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score but only grossed $154 million, further raising doubts about the studio’s ability to replicate its past successes outside established franchises.

In contrast, Hoppers is projected to open with $40-50 million, a strong start for an original Pixar feature. This positive reception and box office outlook could signify a turning point for the studio. Pixar’s upcoming schedule includes highly anticipated releases such as Toy Story 5 in June 2026 and the original film Gatto slated for 2027, suggesting a promising future.

The voice cast of Hoppers includes Piper Curda as Mabel, Bobby Moynihan as King George, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave France. The film is directed by Daniel Chong, marking his first directorial role at Pixar after contributing to projects like Turning Red, Lightyear, and Elemental in senior creative positions. The screenplay was written by Jesse Andrews, who also wrote Pixar’s 2021 hit Luca.

Hoppers will be released in theaters on March 6, 2026, running 105 minutes and rated PG. It promises to be a family-friendly mix of comedy, animation, and science fiction, delivering both entertainment and a timely message about environmental preservation.

This film's critical and commercial success could help restore Pixar’s reputation for original storytelling and reinforce its position as a leader in animated cinema. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and social commentary, Hoppers is positioned to be a memorable entry in the studio’s acclaimed catalog.