There’s always a bit of wonder and excitement that comes with new entries from major studios especially when so many tend to play it safe and just decide to release a sequel. Thankfully, Hoppers made our own curiosity well-worth the entry price as it introduces a brand-new concept into the Disney-Pixar slate. Even better, it fully leans into its weird, wild, and inventive ideas. It may not reach the emotional highs of Pixar’s best, but it’s undeniably a hopping great time regardless.
Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda) has always had a soft spot for nature and the animals around her and in her bustling city of Beaverton, she finds comfort in a glade her grandmother once showed her - a place now threatened by an upcoming freeway project. Determined to save it, Mabel stumbles upon her professor’s experimental “Hoppers” program, a device that allows human consciousness to transfer into robotic animals.
If you’re expecting a tearjerker, Hoppers might surprise you. While it has emotional beats where and when it counts, it leans more into being a dark, chaotic, and shockingly funny experience instead - and we love it for how different it is from other Pixar releases. The film constantly subverts expectations, piling on twists and bizarre turns that make the ride feel fresh and unpredictable. Visually, it’s everything you expect from Pixar with its lush, vibrant, and technically stunning execution while the voice cast brings strong chemistry and personality to the story.
That said, the narrative isn’t always as tight as its comedy. The final act, while the most hilarious bit in the film, could have used more restraint and polish as the film’s wilder concepts begin to overwhelm the story's development. There’s also a slight lack of cohesion that keeps it from reaching the heights of the studio’s all-time greats. Still, Hoppers stands out as one of Pixar’s more original and entertaining releases. It may not be an instant classic, but it’s a bold, above-average entry that proves the studio can still take creative risks and it's well-worth the effort.
Hoppers (2026) Movie Review: Hopping Great Time
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