Hoppers2026

There are many heavy hitters still to come, but Hoppers feels like the first great animated movie of the year. At a time when our right to protest is under siege, this sci-fi yarn exalts the way an individual’s conviction can plant seeds of change, leading to a stronger sense of community.

Review — Hoppers (2026) "Hoppers" is one of the biggest surprises of 2026, once again showing why Pixar remains one of the greatest names in animation. The film presents a creative concept by following Mabel, a girl with a deep love for animals who discovers a technology capable of transferring the human mind into a robotic animal body. One of the film's greatest strengths is the way it builds its world. The story clearly explains its own rules, develops its ideas naturally, and avoids leaving the audience confused. Beyond its adventure elements, the movie explores themes such as respect for nature, environmental balance, and the consequences of human interference. Mabel's character development is one of the strongest aspects of the film. At the beginning, her love for animals makes her want to become closer to them in an extreme way, even wishing to become one of them. Throughout the story, she learns that truly caring for animals also means respecting them as they are. The central conflict is another highlight. Professor Sam is not presented as a simple villain, but rather as a character who represents the limits of science and technology. Meanwhile, Titus works as the true antagonist, bringing a greater threat to the story and creating a more impactful conflict. The supporting characters are also memorable, especially the Beaver King, who stands out because of his personality and becomes one of the film's most remarkable characters. Technically, "Hoppers" delivers the quality expected from Pixar. The animation is impressive, the soundtrack fits the emotional moments, and the pacing remains strong from beginning to end. The conclusion provides a satisfying ending that properly closes the main conflicts and Mabel's journey. "Hoppers" is an animated film that entertains younger audiences while offering deeper themes for older viewers. It is a story about empathy, respect, and understanding that truly loving something means accepting it for what it really is. Final Score: 9.5/10

What keeps Hoppers from drifting into Pollyanna-ish sensibility is its charming spikiness, and embrace of the weird, wacky and witty as it unfurls a high-tech action thriller about a strange, if brief, merging of the human and animal worlds.