Pixar is back! Kind of. The latest Pixar creation, Hoppers (2026), feels like a throwback to the Pixar we fondly remember. Maybe that’s because of how the story is told.
Pixar has always excelled at anthropomorphic storytelling. Like Inside Out, the animals and gadgets in Hoppers exist to help tell a very human story. At its core, Hoppers is a body-swap comedy. Much of the humor comes from the absurd sociology of pond life — the rules, rivalries, and survival instincts that make sense once you’re living among them. The film also dips its toes into several genres, from quirky nature documentary to sci-fi horror lite, both filtered through the Pixar lens.
Everything clicks because the stakes don’t reach too far. Pixar is often at its best when the stakes are small, such as saving a house in Up, a niche industry in Monsters Inc., or friendship in Toy Story. Small stakes for the world, but big implications for the characters, since protecting a place also protects the memories and relationships tied to it. Bring a hanky. The film has a few tear-inducing moments that tap into those memories.
Hoppers also introduces a new animation style to the Pixar-verse. The characters feel rounder and more expressive, almost toy-like, while the forest environments have a softer, storybook quality. It’s a visual shift that suits a film about crossing boundaries between species and perspectives.
The movie also taps into the old Pixar trick of sneaking science into the narrative, teaching kids about ecosystems, coexistence, and the food chain without turning the film into a classroom lecture. See this movie in the theater. You can sip a brew or skip a brew. Either way, you’ll enjoy a little of the old Pixar charm — and keep a sharp lookout for a fun reference to another Pixar classic.
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Where to watch
Rating: PG (Me: 5+)
Director: Daniel Chong
Starring: Piper Curda, John Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, Meryl Streep, Dave Franco
Run time: 1h 45m
Post-credits scenes: There’s a quick mid-credits gag.
Bathroom breaks: According to Run Pee, the times are…
- 36:30 when King George says, “Now we party.”
- 1:12:15 when alternate Jerry says, “This guy just loves to party, y’know?”
Sequel? Hoppers scored Pixar’s biggest opening in almost a decade. Expect a sequel.
If you liked Hoppers, check out these films:
- Okja (2017) (5+)
- The Wild Robot (2024) (4+)
- Epic (2013) (5+)
- The Ant Bully (2006) (6+)
- Pom Poko (1994) (5+)
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Find this title on the Family Film Recommendations list
