Hoppers (2026): Pixar’s Bold Leap into Robotic Wildlife Adventure

Pixar Animation Studios is gearing up for a springtime spectacle with Hoppers, an animated sci-fi comedy that blends cutting-edge technology, environmental activism, and classic Pixar heart. Scheduled for theatrical release on March 6, 2026, the film marks the feature debut of director Daniel Chong, best known for creating We Bare Bears. With a voice cast led by Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm, Hoppers is poised to be one of Pixar’s most inventive original stories in years.

🌲 Plot Snapshot: A Beaver with a Human Brain

Set in a near-future world where scientists have developed a way to “hop” human consciousness into robotic animals, the story follows Mabel Tanaka, a curious and passionate teenager who volunteers to become a robotic beaver. Her goal? To infiltrate the animal kingdom and stop a corrupt construction project threatening the forest ecosystem. As Mabel navigates her new beaver body, she uncovers a hidden society of animals led by the eccentric King George, and clashes with the greedy Mayor Jerry, whose plans could devastate the natural world.

The film’s premise cleverly riffs on Avatar and Zootopia, but with a uniquely Pixar twist—exploring identity, empathy, and the absurdity of bureaucracy through the lens of a robotic woodland creature.

🎙️ Voice Cast Highlights

Piper Curda as Mabel Tanaka, the film’s brave and witty protagonist

Bobby Moynihan as King George, a flamboyant beaver monarch with a flair for drama

Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry, a slick-talking politician with a destructive agenda

Demetri Martin lends his voice to a chorus of birds, adding comic relief and commentary

🎬 Behind the Scenes: A Passion Project

Director Daniel Chong began developing Hoppers in 2020 after returning to Pixar, and the film was officially announced at the D23 Expo in August 2024. Co-written with Jesse Andrews (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), the screenplay balances absurdist humor with poignant themes of conservation and interspecies understanding.

Despite early rumors of studio interference, Chong clarified in a 2025 interview that the film’s environmental message remained intact, evolving naturally through Pixar’s iterative creative process.

🔍 Why It’s Buzzing

Hoppers made its first splash at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where a teaser trailer featuring a lizard typing emojis on a phone left audiences intrigued. The film’s blend of high-concept sci-fi and woodland whimsy has drawn comparisons to Wall-E and Inside Out, with early buzz praising its originality and emotional resonance.

With its bold concept, vibrant animation, and timely themes, Hoppers is shaping up to be a standout in Pixar’s 2026 lineup—and a potential spring box office hit.