Hoppers (2026 | US | 105 minutes | Daniel Chong)
Pixar is at it again with Hoppers. The story of Mabel (Piper Curda), a rebel from day one, precocious as the come and especially passionate when it comes to the protection of animals. Growing up with a Forest Ranger for a grandmother she learned early on the value of nature, the balance it creates and just how vicious humans can be when a natural habitat is in the way of their progress. So enters Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) nearly salivating at the poll numbers he’ll gain with a new byway, which byways right through the pond where Mabel and her grandmother spent their precious time together. A freak opportunity offers her the chance to speak with and live amongst the animals and once again Mabel passionately jumps into the fire without thinking. She just wants to save the pond and bring balance back to such an important place not only to her but the animals that once lived there.
Unsurprisingly the studio has come up with a creative, silly, and emotional way to broach a complex subject once again. It’s not the first time they’ve laid their heavy hand on us about the environment, but this one might be the most direct discussion of what humans continue to do to the planet despite the plethora of warning signs it’s been giving us. An underlying current of how to be trustworthy and learning when to do the right thing even when it’s not what you want also keeps the story flowing. Pixar is this generation’s Mr Rogers. Someone has to keep showing kids that it’s ok to be vulnerable and passionate, to take responsibility for our actions and be aware of how we effect the world around us (in society and nature).
One thing I really enjoyed about this one other than the unique story (thank goodness there are creative and interesting storylines still coming out amidst the avalanche of sequels so far this year). One is the main character as a minority but not pointing that out, at all, during the entire film. Representation matters, especially when it’s treated as so normal that it doesn’t even need to be acknowledged. It’s an odd concept, but not even mentioning it means it doesn’t need to be mentioned…
If you like Pixar, you’ll definitely like Hoppers. Even though it’s a little longer than their typical film, you don’t even notice. If you don’t really like Pixar, but you’re open to an animated film then I still say try it out. It’s worth your time and it’ll probably make you feel happy; we all need a bit more of that these days.
Hoppers arrives in theaters on 3/6/26