On March 6, 2026, the American computer-animated science fiction film Hoppers was released. The film was produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The film was made on a production budget of $150 million, and as of the end of March 2026, it has grossed over $300 million at the worldwide box office.
The story follows Mabel, a college student and nature advocate. Mabel learns that the city’s mayor claims that all the wild animals that have lived there for many years have left and announced plans to replace the meadow where Mabel grew up with a highway. Mabel refuses to believe that the animals are gone from the meadow and decides to take matters into her own hands to help the meadow’s inhabitants protect their home. Using technology developed by her biology professor and colleagues, which allows a person’s mind to transfer into a robotic animal, she becomes a beaver and sets off on an adventure.
The animated film is beautifully made with vivid, vibrant colors and charming visuals. The film is filled with entertaining and funny moments, and it highlights the importance of friendship, trust and resilience. The film also touches on the importance of the environment, the lives of animals and the challenges the natural world faces because of humans.
While watching, I felt many emotions: joy from the funny jokes, sadness during certain moments, and frustration with some of the characters. Throughout the entire film, I eagerly wondered what Mabel and her friends would do next and how they planned to resolve the situation they found themselves in.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the film’s plot twists. At the beginning, I expected that over the course of the film’s 105 minutes, our heroes would simply be trying to protect the meadow from people. I never anticipated that by the end, it would be the people trying to protect themselves from the animals. Hoppers conveys that even when we think we have full control of a situation, everything can turn 180 degrees in a short amount of time.
Despite being primarily made for a younger audience, it is just as enjoyable for adults. If you haven’t seen Hoppers yet, I recommend not putting it off. It’s exactly the kind of film that lifts your spirits while also giving you something meaningful to consider.
