Pixar fans have two new releases to be excited for in 2026. Later this summer, Woody and his roundup gang of toys will return in Toy Story 5. But first comes the arrival of their latest original film, Hoppers. While they have found critical and commercial success with most of their sequels, Pixar’s early original efforts draw more passion. Recent originals, Elemental and Elio, may not have reached the heights of the studio’s glory days, but We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong brings his zany sensibilities to this delightfully madcap adventure.
Mabel (Piper Curda) devotes her life to advocacy and protecting wildlife. She frequently fights against Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) as he plans to destroy an abandoned glade in Beaverton with a freeway. Her last chance at preserving the glade comes when she discovers an invention by her professor, Dr. Sam (Kathy Najimy), one that she amusingly exclaims “is nothing like Avatar.” The “Hoppers” program allows humans to inhabit an animal robot and talk with other animals. Mabel “hops” into a robotic beaver and goes on a mission to bring a slew of displaced animals back and save the glade.
On her journey, Mabel meets a community of animals and their head beaver, King George (Bobby Moynihan). He teaches her about the pond rules that allow for the critters to live in harmony. This includes answering the obvious question on the audience’s mind: what happens when someone has to eat? Well, as King George answers with a matter-of-fact glee, “If you gotta eat, eat!” This sets the tone for the oddball comic energy present throughout.
The many animals Mabel encounters all have their own set of witty peculiarities. Loaf (Eduardo Franco) brings a mellow beaver with a chill vibe around the pond. A very hungry bear named Ellen (Melissa Villaseñor) gets lots of laughs as she goes between grumpy and nonchalant. The Animal Council contains the Bird King (the late Isiah Whitlock Jr.), the Fish Queen (Ego Nwodim), the Amphibian King (Steve Purcell), the Reptile Queens (three snakes all played by Nichole Sakura), and the Insect Queen (Meryl Streep). Each of the leaders gets an opportunity to be funny, while not undercutting their intimidating presence as they take Mabel’s mission too far, plotting to squish the humans that displaced them. Dave Franco plays the unhinged son of the Insect Queen, Titus, a perfect casting choice that unleashes his wild side as a performer. And of course, Tom (Tom Law), the lizard that went viral online, is a riot.
Fans of Chong’s We Bare Bears will relish in the absurdity, going further than anything Pixar has put out. He and Luca screenwriter Jesse Andrews developed the story together, with Andrews writing the screenplay. The comedy consistently hits hard with plenty of hilarious jokes and a handful of shocking developments that will have the audience howling in laughter. But what takes Hoppers to the next level is how it slows down in between the laughs. Chong and Andrews allow space for the characters to sit with their surroundings, soaking in the beauty of nature and the lives within. The film establishes Mabel’s love of the natural world as a bonding connection between her and Grandma Tanaka (Karen Huie). These scenes are conveyed patiently and with great poignancy. That calmness transfers over to her connection with King George as he holds firm to his belief that the pure-hearted good within us will prevail.
In a time when the state of the world can feel so dour, Daniel Chong’s film reminds us that strength resides in unity. As sappy as it may sound, it champions the expression of “we’re all in this together.” There will always be people out there fighting the good fight. That passionate dedication must endure, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. Is that an overly optimistic outlook to have? Maybe. But it sure is nice to believe in our societal ability to change the world.
Hoppers packs more laughs than any Pixar film in recent memory, complemented by a loving reverence for nature and community. It is hard to imagine coming away from this film not being swept up by its unabashed silliness and sincerity. It sets a high bar for this year’s animated films to clear, and it will be exciting to see if anything else can hop that barrier.
Hoppers will debut exclusively in theaters on March 6, 2026, courtesy of Disney.
Hoppers packs more laughs than any Pixar film in recent memory, complimented by a loving reverence for nature and community.
Ezra Cubero has been writing reviews for his own outlet Silver Screen Xpress for more than a decade, covering the latest film releases and attending various film festivals. He is also the Executive Director of the New Jersey Film Critics Circle. He is a passionate fan of movies and strives for positivity in online film discussion, celebrating all kinds of great art from around the world, both popular and underexposed.
