Early reactions praise Hoppers as Pixar’s most hilarious film to date.
Hoppers is shaping up to be more like Inside Out 2 and less like Elio, as early reactions from critics highlight the film’s humor and creativity.
Drew Taylor noted that “#Hoppers is Pixar’s funniest movie ever,” emphasizing that its charm lies not just in the laughs but in its abundance of ideas, clever gags, and heartfelt moments. The character designs are adorable, and the film carries a strong environmental message, making it a unique addition to the Pixar lineup.
Daniel Howat echoed this sentiment, stating, “This movie is laugh-out-loud hilarious, with a wild story that just keeps getting crazier. It’s absurd but a fun ride that still packs an emotional punch.”
Tyler Taing from Discussing Film described it as “one of the most original, heartfelt, and wacky films to come out of Pixar in recent memory,” reflecting the views of a select group of journalists who got an early look at Hoppers ahead of its March release. Chris Killian from ComicBook called it “one of the best non-sequels Pixar has made in a minute.”
Hoppers certainly boasts a unique premise, even for a studio known for bringing toys to life and transforming monsters into scare experts. The story follows teenager Mabel, who transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver to assist the animal community.
While Pixar has a reputation for delivering top-tier animated films, the past few years have been a mixed bag. Movies like Onward, Soul, Luca, and Turning Red retained the studio’s signature charm and imagination but were primarily viewed on streaming platforms due to COVID-related theater closures.
Since then, the studio has seen a blend of hits and misses. Elemental gained traction at the box office, while Inside Out 2 emerged as Pixar’s highest-grossing film to date. However, space-themed adventures like Lightyear and Elio fell short of expectations.
Hoppers, featuring voices from Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, and Kathy Najimy, is set to hit theaters on March 6.
