Pixar's latest cinematic offering, Hoppers, has garnered exceptional praise from critics, achieving a near-perfect score on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which premieres in theatres on March 6, 2026, currently holds a 97 percent rating, representing the animation studio's best critical reception in almost a decade.
Critical Acclaim and Historical Context
This impressive score matches the rating received by Coco in 2017, making it Pixar's highest-rated film since that time. While the rating may adjust as additional reviews are submitted, it firmly places Hoppers among the studio's most acclaimed works. Historically, only the first two Toy Story films have achieved a perfect 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with other classics like Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo, Inside Out, and Up all securing 98 percent.
Plot and Cast Details
The original animated story follows 19-year-old environmental activist Mabel, who uniquely "hops" into the consciousness of a beaver. Her mission involves assisting a colony in safeguarding their habitat, a narrative that has drawn comparisons to James Cameron's Avatar. The film features a distinguished voice cast, including Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Dave Franco, Jon Hamm, and the legendary Meryl Streep.
Critical Reception and Industry Impact
The Independent critic Clarisse Loughrey awarded the film four stars, noting its creative merits despite thematic similarities to Avatar. She praised the film's distinctive, energetic style and the influence of anime on Western animation, highlighting the advanced, lifelike rendering of the characters, which she described as making previous Pixar works like Monsters Inc appear comparatively primitive.
Pixar's Release Strategy and Future Projects
Hoppers is the first of two Pixar films scheduled for release in 2026, with Toy Story 5 set to debut in June. In recent years, the studio has adeptly balanced original narratives such as Luca, Elemental, and Elio with sequels and spin-offs like Lightyear and Inside Out 2. Looking ahead, Pixar has announced another original film, Gatto, for 2027, and is reportedly developing two further sequels: Incredibles 3 and Coco 2.
Studio Background and Evolution
Pixar's origins trace back to 1979 as the computer animation division of Lucasfilm, initially known as Graphics Group. The company rebranded as Pixar in 1986, the same year it became an independent entity with backing from Apple founder Steve Jobs. A landmark moment occurred in 1995 with the release of Toy Story, the first fully computer-animated feature film, distributed by Disney. The Walt Disney Company later acquired Pixar outright in 2006, solidifying its position as a leader in animated storytelling.
The success of Hoppers underscores Pixar's enduring ability to innovate and captivate audiences, blending original concepts with technical excellence to achieve critical acclaim that resonates across generations.
