The “Pixar Slump” narrative has officially been deleted.
As we head into the release of Pixar’s Hoppers this weekend, the early critical consensus has done more than just “clear the bar”—it has shattered it. Following a string of massive hits like Inside Out 2 and Elio, Pixar’s 30th feature film is arriving with the kind of critical momentum we haven’t seen in years.
Currently sitting at a staggering 97% on Rotten Tomatoes with over 80 reviews in, Hoppers isn’t just a hit; it is a statistical anomaly in the best way possible.
Breaking the “Coco” Record: A Look at the Numbers
A 97% score is rarified air for any studio, but for Pixar, it marks a return to the “untouchable” status they held during the early 2000s. To put this Pixar Hoppers Rotten Tomatoes score into perspective, this is the highest critical rating the studio has received since Coco in 2017.
In fact, over the last 11 years, only one film has managed to top it: the original Inside Out (2015), which holds a near-perfect 98%.
How Hoppers stacks up against the modern Pixar greats:
| Film (Release Year) | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Hoppers (2026) | 97% |
| Coco (2017) | 97% |
| Toy Story 4 (2019) | 96% |
| Soul (2020) | 95% |
| Turning Red (2022) | 95% |
| Incredibles 2 (2018) | 93% |
| Inside Out 2 (2024) | 91% |
| Luca (2021) | 91% |
The “Robotic Beaver” Premise: Why It Works
When Hoppers was first announced, the internet was… skeptical. The story follows Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), a nature-obsessed girl who uses experimental technology to “hop” her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver. Her goal? To finally understand the secret lives of animals.
On paper, it sounds like a wacky Saturday morning cartoon. But in the hands of director Daniel Chong (the creator of We Bare Bears), critics are saying the film is “rooted in immense heart” and a “soulful exploration of the natural world.”
The plot thickens when Mabel befriends the charismatic beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan) and realizes that her beloved wilderness is under threat from the smooth-talking local mayor, Jerry Generazzo, voiced by the legendary Jon Hamm.
“It’s the weirdest thing Pixar has ever done, and that’s exactly why it’s their best,” says one early review. “Chong balances the absurdity of a robotic beaver with a poignant message about environmental preservation.”
An All-Star Cast and a Visionary Director
Part of the magic of Hoppers lies in its eclectic voice cast. Having Meryl Streep, Dave Franco, and Kathy Najimy in supporting roles gives the film a “prestige” feel that elevates the material. But the real star here is Daniel Chong.
Known for his ability to find profound emotion in the mundane (as seen in the “Ice Bear” subplots of We Bare Bears), Chong has brought a fresh, slightly “unhinged” energy to Pixar. He isn’t afraid to let the movie be funny and weird, which makes the emotional payoff in the third act hit that much harder.
Is Pixar Officially “Back”?
There has been an ongoing debate about whether Pixar ever actually “left.” While Lightyear struggled to find its footing, the studio has been on a tear lately. Elemental became a massive sleeper hit, Inside Out 2 broke box office records, and Elio reminded us that Pixar still owns the sci-fi heart.
However, Hoppers feels different. It feels like an original property (not a sequel) that is capturing the cultural zeitgeist before it even hits theaters. If the Pixar Hoppers box office numbers match the critical enthusiasm, we might be looking at the start of a brand-new “Golden Era” for the studio.
The Road to the Box Office
Opening exclusively in theaters on March 6, 2026, Hoppers is projected to have a “monster” opening weekend. With families looking for a spring break hit and animation nerds (like us) rushing to see the 97% score in action, the robotic beaver is likely going to chew through the competition.
Check out the trailer for Hoppers here:
Will You Be Hopping In?
Pixar has spent 30 years teaching us that anything can have a soul—toys, cars, emotions, and now, a robotic beaver. With a near-perfect score and a director who understands the balance between “wacky” and “weighty,” Hoppers looks like the must-watch movie of the year.
What do you think of Pixar’s recent run? Do you prefer their high-concept original stories like Hoppers and Soul, or are you still holding out for more sequels like Incredibles 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
