Pixar’s next big animated movie Hoppers is set to release on March 6, 2026. The film follows a young girl who transfers her mind into a robotic beaver to save animals from destruction. The voice cast includes Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm.
The first trailer was released in July 2025, showing Mabel (Curda) comparing her adventure to Avatar, though the scientists in the movie disagree. The film is directed by Daniel Chong, creator of We Bare Bears, and promises a mix of comedy, adventure, and heart.
What Is “Hoppers” About?
The story centers on Mabel Tanaka, an animal-loving girl who uses a new scientific invention to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver. Her mission is to stop a greedy mayor (Jon Hamm) from destroying the animals’ home.
“What if we could understand and communicate with the animal world?” says director Daniel Chong. “Mabel gets to discover the animal kingdom as an animal, which can be weird and often hilarious.”
The movie blends humor with an environmental message, as Mabel teams up with King George (Bobby Moynihan), a beaver leader, to protect nature.
Who Is in the Voice Cast?
- Piper Curda as Mabel Tanaka – A girl who becomes a robotic beaver.
- Bobby Moynihan as King George – The ruler of the animal kingdom.
- Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry – The villain trying to destroy the forest.
- Demetri Martin as various birds.
Moynihan previously worked with Chong on We Bare Bears, while Hamm brings his comedy skills to the role of the greedy mayor.
When Is the Release Date?
Hoppers will hit theaters on March 6, 2026. It is Pixar’s 30th animated feature and follows Elio (2025) in the studio’s lineup.
A short teaser played after Elio in June 2025, featuring a lizard typing emojis on a phone. The full trailer arrived in July, introducing Mabel’s wild journey into the animal world.
What Makes This Movie Unique?
The film mixes comedy with an eco-friendly message, though some reports suggested Pixar downplayed its environmental themes. Director Chong denied this, saying the story evolved naturally.
“If anything, I felt a lot of alignment,” Chong told Screen Rant. “Every movie here goes through so much iteration and changes a lot.”
Visually, the movie features stylized fur and nature scenes, with the team researching real beaver habitats for accuracy.
How Does It Compare to Other Pixar Movies?
- Similar to Avatar in its mind-transfer concept but with a funnier tone.
- Combines adventure and spy thriller elements, like Mission: Impossible meets Planet Earth.
- Follows Pixar’s tradition of emotional storytelling but with more comedy.
Fans of We Bare Bears will recognize Chong’s humor, while the voice cast adds star power.
Final Updates
The trailer has already sparked excitement, with Mabel’s Avatar joke becoming a highlight. The film aims to recover from Elio’s box office struggles and bring audiences back to theaters.
Also read: Did The Simpsons Really Predict The Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal Involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron?
Credits: Wikipedia, Variety, Deadline, Disney Wiki, Pixar Wiki, Animation Magazine
