Pixar Animation Studios is officially back in the winner's circle. The studio's latest original film, Hoppers, is receiving rave reviews ahead of its theatrical release this Friday. Critics at The Guardian and Collider are praising the sci-fi comedy for its bold originality and emotional depth. As of today, the film holds a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest score for a Pixar original since 2017’s Coco.

The movie follows a young girl named Mabel, voiced by Piper Curda, who undergoes a "brain-hopping" procedure. She transfers her consciousness into a realistic robotic beaver to explore the secret world of animals and communicate with wildlife. Director Daniel Chong, known for creating We Bare Bears, leads the project. The Wrap reports that the film successfully balances high-concept sci-fi with the signature heart and humor Pixar fans expect.

Joining Curda in the voice cast are Bobby Moynihan as the beaver King George and Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry. Industry analysts at Forbes suggest that this critical success is exactly what Pixar needs to regain its box-office dominance. With its imaginative premise and glowing reception, Hoppers is poised to be a standout hit for Disney and Pixar in 2026.