The latest creation from Pixar, Hoppers, is described as “Avatar meets Mission Impossible.” The initial scenes from the film were recently showcased. Under the direction of Daniel Chong, this film joins the roster of upcoming Pixar releases such as Elio, Toy Story 5, and the newly announced Gatto. Set to be Pixar’s 30th animated feature, Hoppers is expected to premiere in March 2026. The storyline centers around Mabel, a young girl who utilizes technology to transfer human consciousness into robotic animals that are strikingly lifelike.
During Pixar’s segment at the Annecy Animation Festival, Pete Docter, the Chief Creative Officer, unveiled fresh insights about Hoppers, including the debut of its initial scenes. According to coverage by ScreenRant and other media, Docter described Hoppers as “Avatar meets Mission Impossible meets Planet Earth.” He characterized it as a fusion of action-adventure, comedy, and espionage thriller, filled with humor, emotional depth, and dynamic characters, all crafted to captivate audiences. Below are his complete remarks:
“So what unfolds is akin to Avatar meets Mission Impossible meets Planet Earth. It combines elements of action, adventure, comedy, and espionage in a way that humor, emotion, and excitement jump off the screen unexpectedly. It’s an exaggerated crowd-pleaser, brimming with surprises, big laughs, and an array of memorable characters. We’re in the final stages of production. Can’t wait for you to see it very soon.”
At the festival, initial clips from Hoppers were also shown, featuring Mabel entering the body of a beaver in a manner reminiscent of Avatar and attempting to convince another beaver to join her in protesting a highway construction through their natural habitat. The beaver she meets, however, is indifferent and soon finds himself in the clutches of a bear. Despite facing imminent danger, this beaver remains unflustered due to the natural order. Mabel manages to rescue him.
Another clip displayed the town’s mayor, voiced by Jon Hamm, enjoying what seems like an ideal life, cheerfully preparing breakfast and greeting neighbors. However, his morning takes a turn when he discovers Mabel and other wildlife already in his car. While the animals can communicate among themselves, they appear to the mayor only as making animal noises, prompting the use of a text-to-speech application for communication. The encounter leaves the mayor in shock, especially since he is spearheading the highway project.
A new visual from Hoppers was also shared:
What This Means For Hoppers
Key Revelations About Pixar’s Latest Film
During the presentation, Docter provided an extensive overview of Hoppers, highlighting that the narrative revolves around Mabel, a nature enthusiast and college student voiced by Piper Curda. Growing up in a small town in the Northwest, Mabel spent her childhood in a nearby grove, now endangered by a proposed highway led by Mayor Jerry Zo, voiced by Jon Hamm. Committed to preserving this natural area, Mabel embarks on a quest to reintroduce wildlife to the grove, standing alone in her efforts.
The plot thickens when Mabel stumbles upon a hidden laboratory where scientists have developed “hopping,” a technology enabling humans to inhabit animal forms for research purposes. Mabel employs this technology to become a beaver, aiming to repopulate the grove and halt the highway construction. In her adventurous journey, she allies with a charming yet oblivious beaver named King George, voiced by Bobby Moynihan. As she navigates through scientist pursuits and intricate animal politics, her daring plan encounters numerous comedic and unforeseen hurdles.
Our Perspective on Pixar’s Hoppers
“Avatar Meets M:I” – An Exciting Mix
Docter’s comparison of Hoppers to “Avatar meets Mission Impossible” is a clever strategy. Avatar, as a globally successful franchise, has each installment grossing over $2 billion, and the concept of controlling lifelike robotic animals draws a direct parallel to the Na’vi-human hybrids. This analogy is easily relatable and enticing for the audience. How Hoppers will mirror Mission: Impossible is still up in the air, but it certainly piques interest.
Hoppers is set to hit theaters on March 6, 2026
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
