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Hoppers just achieved what seemed nearly impossible. The Pixar animated film hit theaters yesterday with a stunning 97% Rotten Tomatoes score based on 95 critics reviews, marking the studio’s best-reviewed film in nine years. This fresh comedy about a teenage girl who infiltrates the animal kingdom via robotic avatars has critics calling it a masterpiece.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97% certified fresh with 95 critical reviews collected
- Release Date: March 6, 2026, wide theatrical release across the US
- Director: Daniel Chong, known for the beloved animation series We Bare Bears
- Cast: Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Dave Franco, and Meryl Streep
A Rare Pixar Achievement
Hoppers returns Pixar to vintage form with its highest critical acclaim in a decade. The last time the studio achieved such heights was with 2015’s Inside Out and 2017’s Coco, both earning 98% scores. Industry observers note this represents a significant turning point for the studio, which has struggled with more recent sequels. The 97% score places it alongside The Incredibles from 2004 and confirms director Daniel Chong’s experimental vision resonated with critics worldwide.
Critics consistently praise the film as fresh, energetic, hilarious, and gleefully bonkers in ways that feel like classic Pixar at its absolute best. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman called it top-drawer Pixar, while others declare it the studio’s best original film since 2020’s Soul.
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What Makes Hoppers Different
The film follows Mabel, a 19-year-old animal lover who uses groundbreaking technology that transfers human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals. Her journey into the animal kingdom uncovers mysteries that challenge everything she believed about nature and civilization. The premise may sound like James Cameron’s Avatar, but critics say Hoppers executes it with more heart, humor, and environmental consciousness.
Jesse Andrews and Chong’s script creates something wildly inventive and unpredictable. William Bibbiani from TheWrap observed that the film is such a funny, clever, kind, playfully dark, and wonderfully weird creation that it transcends typical family film conventions.
Critical Reception and Standout Performances
The ensemble cast brought remarkable energy to their roles. Dave Franco steals scenes as Titus, emerging halfway through to dominate the narrative with comedic brilliance. Jon Hamm’s Mayor Jerry evolves from a slick politician into a nervous wreck as wildlife pursues him. Bobby Moynihan’s King George provides vocal performance depth rarely heard in animated features. Meryl Streep’s Insect Queen commands authority and brings legendary gravitas to the animal realm.
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | March 6, 2026 |
| Platform | Theatrical, Disney/Pixar |
| Runtime | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Rating | PG (Mild Language, Action/Peril, Scary Images) |
“Whereas it’s just another Monday for Daniel Chong, Hoppers is exactly what Pixar needs right now: perverse, rebellious, and eccentric.”
— Rendy Jones, Rendy Reviews
Animation Innovation and Visual Storytelling
Pixar’s animation team elevated the film’s visual language beyond expectations. The character designs prove delightful with physicality that constantly amuses audiences. The lush green backgrounds of woodland settings create visual treats throughout the runtime. Wilson Chapman from IndieWire noted that Pixar’s animation style received a significant refresh here, balancing the studio’s reliable realism with more stylized worldbuilding. The animation style specifically shifts when Mabel becomes an animal, creating visual continuity that critics found stunning and narratively meaningful.
Critics praise the intersection of animation styles that pops outside Pixar’s typical in-house model, creating something fresh and visually engaging. The texturing and lighting showcase technological advancement without sacrificing artistic creativity. Some noted the uncanny effect of cartoon animals with detailed fur creates memorable imagery that unsettles and delights simultaneously.
Is Hoppers Your Next Family Must-Watch?
Hoppers delivers heartfelt environmentalist messaging wrapped in relentless comedy and genuine character development. The film escalates quickly, surprising viewers with rudely antic directions that embrace wonder and chaos. Ross Bonaime from Collider stated this is without question one of the funniest entries in the Pixar canon, with laughs coming constantly throughout the experience. The movie avoids typical tropes by skipping both the villainous authority figure twist and the forced best-friend falling-out climax that many Pixar films depend upon. Instead, it offers something dangerously powerful: hope that doesn’t apologize for existing, making it essential viewing for families seeking substance alongside entertainment.
Sources
- Rotten Tomatoes – Hoppers certified fresh score and critics consensus with 95 reviews
- Forbes – Coverage of nine-year Pixar review streak achievement
- Variety – Expert critical analysis and character performance reviews
