Numbers rarely lie, and this time they’re on Pixar’s side. Hoppers is pulling scores that most family films only dream about. Take a look at exactly how it’s landing across the board.
| Rating Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Tomatometer (Critics) | 94% |
| Popcornmeter (Audience) | 94% |
| IMDb Rating | 7.7/10 |
| MPAA Rating | PG |
I went in expecting a safe, forgettable Pixar movie. Instead, I was laughing out loud within the first ten minutes. Hoppers earns its high scores. It’s funny, it’s warm, and it has a real heart under all the chaos.
Hoppers Quick Facts
Before jumping into the review, here are the basics worth knowing going in. These were the details on hand before pressing play, and they’re worth keeping in mind as you read further.
- Director: Daniel Chong leads this project, marking his first theatrical feature at Pixar.
- Cast: Piper Curda, Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco voice the main characters, bringing humor and warmth to every scene.
- Runtime: The film runs 1 hour and 44 minutes, long enough for a full story without dragging on.
- Release Date: Hoppers hit theaters on March 6, 2026, after months of buildup and trailers.
- Studio: Disney and Pixar produced the film, continuing their long run of original animated releases.
- Rating: The MPAA gave Hoppers a PG rating, citing mild language and a few scary moments.
Keep these points in mind; they’ll come in handy once the parents’ guide section comes up later.
What is Hoppers About?
Don’t worry, we won’t give you any spoilers
Hoppers follows Mabel, a college student who grew up loving animals and the glade near her hometown.
When a mayor decides to bulldoze that glade for a new highway, she stumbles onto a piece of experimental technology that lets her move her mind into the body of a robotic beaver.
Suddenly, she can talk to the animals living there and understand their world firsthand. What starts as a simple plan to save one patch of land turns into something far bigger and far stranger than she expected.
That’s the setup in a nutshell, and honestly, it’s more than enough to pull you in without giving away where the story actually goes.
Take a look at the trailer that has everyone talking
Hoppers Rating: What Critics Are Saying
Tomatometer: 94% (based on 200+ reviews)
The official consensus: Hoppers has enough charm and energy to back up its ambition, with many calling it one of the funniest entries in Pixar’s lineup to date.
What Top Reviewers Think
- Multiple outlets: Widely called one of Pixar’s funniest films in years, with sharper, less predictable humor than recent releases
- Several critics praised the film for being honest about how messy cooperation between different groups can actually get
- Reviewers noted it feels less polished and formulaic than Pixar’s last few movies, meant as a compliment
- Critics highlighted the balance between the film’s message and its comedy, without tipping into preachy territory
The pattern across nearly every review is this: Pixar is finding its footing again.
Critics have been far more divided on other ambitious 2026 releases, as seen in the split reaction covered in our One Battle After Another breakdown, which makes Hoppers’ near-unanimous praise stand out even more.
Audience And IMDb Rating
| Platform | Score |
|---|---|
| Popcornmeter | 94% |
| IMDb | 7.7/10 |
What audiences are saying on Reddit and IMDb:
- Families walked away happy, with plenty of praise for humor that works for kids and adults alike
- Some viewers flagged the third act as more intense than expected, especially for younger or sensitive kids
That last point is worth remembering. Critics loved the humor and heart, but the finale runs hotter than expected.
Where to Watch Hoppers
Hoppers hit theaters nationwide on March 6, 2026, and stayed there for several weeks before moving to digital purchase in late April 2026.
It then arrived on Blu-ray and DVD, followed by its streaming debut on Disney+ on June 3, 2026, and is now available to watch there.
If you missed it in theaters, Disney+ is currently the easiest way to catch it, no rental or purchase needed if you already have a subscription.
My Review: What Works And What Doesn’t
No movie is perfect, and Hoppers is no exception. Some parts stand out immediately, while others hold the film back a little.
What I Loved About Hoppers
- The animation is one of the strongest parts of the film. Every fur strand and water ripple looks real, and the forest scenes are genuinely stunning
- The humor hits from the first scene and rarely lets up, landing well for both kids and adults in the room
- Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan carry most of the comedy, and their timing makes scenes funnier than the script alone probably reads
- There’s a real emotional core underneath the jokes. Mabel’s bond with her grandmother and the glade gives the story actual weight
Where Hoppers Falls Short
- The second act drags. Once the initial setup wears off, the plot slows down and takes a while to find its footing again
- The environmental message gets repeated a few too many times, and starts to feel more like a lecture than storytelling
- A handful of jokes miss completely, including one gag that runs on far longer than it needed to
None of this ruins the movie, but it keeps Hoppers from being a total home run.
Is Hoppers Appropriate For Kids?
Most family review sites recommend Hoppers for ages 8 and older, based on pacing, tone, and a few darker story turns.
- Pacing: Younger kids may struggle with shifts in pacing and darker plot turns that appear later in the film
- Tone: The humor leans on sarcasm and irony, which younger viewers may not fully understand or enjoy
- Age Fit: Kids around age 8 and above generally handle the tense scenes without becoming overwhelmed
- Content Notes: A tense wildfire scene, a longer-than-expected shark chase, and a robot finale with exposed wires push past typical Pixar intensity, though language stays mild throughout, limited to words like “stupid,” “jerk,” and “dumb”
Should You Watch It With Your Kids First?
If your child is scared easily, preview the final 20 minutes before watching together as a family. That stretch carries most of the intensity, and knowing what’s ahead makes it easier to guide them through it calmly.
Final Verdict
Hoppers earned its spot as one of Pixar’s funniest films in years, and the reviews back that up almost unanimously.
Between the animation, the humor, and a genuine emotional core, it’s easy to see why critics and families alike walked away happy, even with a slower second act pulling things down slightly.
For parents, the film works well for ages 7 and up, with a few intense moments worth previewing beforehand. Watching it left me convinced Pixar still has plenty of fresh ideas left in the tank.
Hoppers also backed up its reviews at the box office, pulling in around $166 million domestically and closing its theatrical run at roughly $434 million worldwide, making it one of Pixar’s strongest original openings in years.
Have you watched Hoppers yet, or is it still on your list? Drop a comment below with your take, and save this page if you need the parents’ guide before movie night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hoppers Available on Disney+?
Yes, Hoppers started streaming on Disney+ starting June 3, 2026, following its earlier digital release in late April.
How Much Did Hoppers Make at the Box Office?
Hoppers earned around $166 million domestically and roughly $434 million worldwide, making it one of Pixar’s biggest original hits in years.
Is Hoppers Too Scary for Young Kids?
Some scenes, especially the wildfire and robot finale, feel intense for younger kids, so parents should preview those parts first.
What Is Hopper’s Rating and Why?
Hoppers carries a PG rating for mild language, action, and peril, and a few scary images throughout the entire story.
Is Hoppers Based on A Book?
No, Hoppers is a completely original story created by Pixar, and it isn’t adapted from any book, comic, or franchise.
