"Hoppers" appeals to its intended audience, and more.

Hoppers is a Pixar animated film released on March 6, 2026. Daniel Chong directs the film, and it follows 19-year-old Mabel (Piper Curda), who is trying to stop the mayor (Jon Hamm) from building a freeway over the home of the resident animals. In her quest, she accidentally stumbles upon a scientific experiment that turns her into a beaver, leading her to discover secrets about the animal world.

While sitting in the theatre, the first thing that caught my eye about Hoppers was the animation. It felt different from other recent animated films. The animation style felt more real to me, and the attention to detail made it even better. In particular, I loved the way the animals' eyes changed based on the perspective we were seeing them through. 

Hoppers is one of those children’s films that an adult is able to enjoy as well. What took me by surprise was how funny the film was. Humour that didn’t just consist of fart jokes, but genuine, hilarious moments that had the audience laughing out loud. Alongside the humour, Hoppers is able to balance it with a heartwarming story and depth that connects with the audience regardless of age. I’m not ashamed to admit that I found myself getting choked up during certain scenes. 

One aspect of the film I found to be interesting was that the protagonist is 19 years old, a bit older than you typically see in children’s films. Despite this, I don’t think it takes away from the relatability of Mabel’s journey, dealing with loss, or feeling small and alone in a big world. I appreciate the fact that Mabel isn’t a perfect character, and she’s able to realize that maybe there can be more than one perspective. 

I applaud this film for being able to deal with such complex issues and delivering them in a digestible manner to its young audience. It’s able to do this without making its adult audience feel as if they’re being spoon-fed information, which is so common in children’s films. 

Hoppers is an emotionally honest kids' film. It deals with real themes while still staying true to its genre; it’s perfect to watch with your kids, younger siblings, or even with your friends. 

Hoppers is currently playing in theatres.