Hoppers * Jumps Straight Into A Fun And Heartfelt Adventure That Pixar Does Best
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
A 19-year-old animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Avani M. comments, “Hoppers is an exciting and colorful movie that really made me smile. It has fun characters, bright animation, and music that make every scene feel lively. I like how the story is adventurous but also teaches important lessons about kindness, trust, and paying attention to the world around you.” Kennedy P. adds, “From the very first scene, Hoppers jumps straight into the kind of fun, heart, and adventure that Pixar does best. I was instantly pulled in by the humor, the colorful world, and the lovable characters. Before I knew it, I was fully invested in their journey. What I love most is how the movie balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotion, making it entertaining for kids while still meaningful for adults.” See their full reviews and our talent interviews below.
Hoppers
By Avani M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13
Hoppers is an exciting and colorful movie that really made me smile. It has fun characters, bright animation, and music that make every scene feel lively. I like how the story is adventurous but also teaches important lessons about kindness, trust, and paying attention to the world around you.
The storyline follows a girl named Mabel (Piper Curda) trying to save her local glade filled with peaceful animals. She would go there with her grandma whenever she wanted to find some peace in her life. The Mayor of Beaverton (Jon Hamm) has plans to destroy the glade with new construction. With the help of her teacher, Mabel uses technology to hop into a beaver‘s body and teams up with the animals and mammal King George (Bobby Moynihan) to save her land.
(L-R): King George, Mabel Beaver, and Ellen Bear in Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
The animation in Hoppers is bright, lively and full of motion. Every scene feels like it’s bursting with color and energy. The characters move so smoothly that I easily smiled along with them, especially during the funniest moments.
The voice actors’ performances stand out and really make this film shine. Piper Curda, as Mabel, shows her passion for nature through her voice so well. You can hear the excitement and the energy in her voice when she’s happy and feel the desperation when her animals are hurt. Bobby Moynihan, as King George, has a parental tone when he teaches Mabel the ways of the pond and when he teaches her lessons about friendship, family, and trust. Jon Hamm, as the Mayor of Beaverton, also delivers a great performance; I particularly like how he shows how sometimes people try to be there for others, but hurt other things in the process.
Insect Queen in Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Meryl Streep’s presence is felt even in a small body as the Insect Queen. Though she is small, she is formidable.
The music adds so much joy to the story, with upbeat melodies that fit perfectly with the action and softer tunes that make the emotional parts feel warm and touching. The music works together with the animation to bring the world of Hoppers to life in a way that’s fun for both kids and adults.
The film’s message is about being still, watching, and listening; it shows that everyone and everything is connected, and how paying attention to the little things can help you understand the world around you. It also reminds us that everyone has good in them, even when they make mistakes.
A
A scene from Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
We see characters making choices that aren’t always perfect, but by looking for the good in others, they learn kindness, empathy, and forgiveness. Finally, trust is shown like a dam – sometimes it might leak or get broken, but it can always be repaired when people work together to fix it.
I give Hoppers 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages to 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on March 6, 2026.
Hoppers
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11
Mabel in Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
From the very first scene, Hoppers jumps straight into the kind of fun, heart, and adventure that Pixar does best. I was instantly pulled in by the humor, the colorful world, and the lovable characters. Before I knew it, I was fully invested in their journey. What I love most is how the movie balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotion, making it entertaining for kids while still meaningful for adults.
In Disney/Pixar’s all-new animated comedy adventure, Hoppers, animal lover Mabel gets the chance to use groundbreaking technology to “hop” her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver, allowing her to communicate directly with animals. As she uncovers incredible mysteries of the animal world, she befriends the charismatic beaver King George and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face an imminent human threat: smooth-talking local mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm).
(L-R): King George and Mabel Beaver in Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Visually, Hoppers is stunning. The animation is vibrant, detailed, and bursting with life – every frame feels thoughtfully crafted. The character designs are expressive and full of personality, making their emotions feel real and relatable.
The voice cast brings incredible energy and heart to the film, perfectly matching both the humor and emotional beats. Bobby Moynihan voices King George, the leader of the pond, and his voice is perfect for the role. Piper Curda shines as Mabel, a passionate animal lover with so much heart, while Dave Franco is hilarious as Titus, a demanding and spoiled character who transforms into the Insect King.
The music and sound design elevate key moments throughout the film, making the action exciting and the quieter scenes especially touching.
(L-R): Mabel and Grandma Tanaka in Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Hoppers delivers a powerful message about empathy, teamwork, and embracing differences. It reminds us that everyone has a voice and a purpose, even if they do not fit the mold or feel confident at first. It encourages viewers to be brave, to listen to others, and to believe that working together can lead to positive change, making Hoppers not just a fun movie, but a meaningful one that stays with you long after the credits roll.
I give Hoppers 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Hoppers in theaters March 6, 2026.
