After a few underwhelming performances from recent originals like “Elio” and “Elemental,” Pixar Animation Studios has reclaimed its momentum. The studio’s latest release, “Hoppers” had a promising start its opening weekend and is set up to have a strong run in theaters.
The film debuted at No. 1 domestically, earning $46 million across 4,000 theaters, according to Box Office Mojo. Globally, it brought in $88 million, with $42 million coming in from overseas markets. These numbers outpace Pixar’s most recent original openings: 2025’s “Elio” at $20.8 million and 2023’s “Elemental” at $29.6 million.
While the debut doesn’t quite reach the heights of Pixar favorites like “Inside Out,” “The Incredibles” or “Finding Nemo” — all of which cleared $70 million in their opening weekends — it marks Pixar’s best start for an original title since 2017’s “Coco,” which opened to $50.8 million domestically, per Box Office Mojo.
The film opened alongside “The Bride!” — an R-rated reimagining of “The Bride of Frankenstein.” While “Hoppers” exceeded projections of $40 million, “The Bride!” stumbled, debuting to just $7.3 million domestically against a $90 million budget and projections of $10 million to $18 million, according to Variety.
What is ‘Hoppers’ about?
The film follows animal lover Mabel (Piper Curda), who discovers she can transfer her mind into a robotic animal and interact with the animal kingdom. Along the way, she befriends beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan) as they empower the animal community to face the human threat of local mayor Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm). The star-studded voice cast also includes Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco and Meryl Streep.
“Hoppers” reportedly had a $150 million production budget. While expensive, the figure is lower than the $200 million price tag other Pixar films have carried since the films are produced in the U.S. rather than overseas like rivals do, according to Variety.
“This is a fantastic original film from the incredible team at Pixar, and it’s wonderful to see audiences coming out with their friends and families to enjoy it together,” said Disney Entertainment’s co-chairman Alan Bergman.
What do critics think?
So far, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with the film earning a 94% score from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” grade on CinemaScore.
A review in Variety called the the film a “top-drawer Pixar, a reminder that when this studio is firing on all cylinders, it will take you places you’ve never imagined.”
Several critics shared the film will be in their “Top 25 by year’s end,” and noted that “it sets a high bar for this year’s animated films to clear.”
The New York Times noted that the film has a “weird humor” and “certain charm,” adding that it “is no dud, thankfully. But it’s no ‘Toy Story,’ either.”
