Hoppers Review: Pixar’s Bizarro Mashup of Avatar and Being John Malkovich Is Their Best Yet of the Decade

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Okay, so trying to describe this movie is tough! It’s wild, honestly. Imagine if James Cameron’s Avatar had a baby with Being John Malkovich, and then that baby grew up to be a story about environmental activism, big construction projects, corrupt business deals, and even political campaigns. Yeah, it sounds a bit like Avatar, doesn’t it? But seriously, this is one of the strangest – and best – things Pixar has put out in a long time. It’s easily one of their most fun and genuinely funny movies of the past few years, maybe even the decade.

Daniel Chong’s new climate change film is energetic, funny, and surprisingly wild for a children’s movie. It’s much more than a simple story about a girl talking to nature. The animals aren’t realistic at all – they’re part of a complex, almost epic world, similar to the one in Game of Thrones. In fact, one character is even called the king’s “paw!”

Chong’s film, co-written with Jesse Andrews (known for Luca), has a strong message: empowering young people to combat climate change and environmental damage. While the film’s delivery isn’t always perfectly clear, its heart is in the right place. Overall, Hoppers is generous in spirit and genuinely enjoyable.

Hoppers Balances Big Time Allegory with Big Time Ridiculous Fun

Mabel (Piper Curda) is full of spirit and determination. As a child, her strong love for animals and dislike of authority led her to repeatedly steal school pets. Now, she’s quick to get upset about injustice and doesn’t have much patience. Mabel grew up with parents who weren’t very present, so she formed a close bond with her grandmother, Grandma Tanaka (Karen Huie). Grandma Tanaka lives near a peaceful wetland and, through many heartfelt talks on a large rock, taught Mabel how to find calm even when things are chaotic.

Now a teenager, Mabel is deeply suspicious of people in power and passionately fights for environmental causes. She frequently clashes with Mayor Jerry (played by Jon Hamm), whose campaign posters are strikingly similar to those of Donald Trump. Their arguments have become childish and loud, but this time the conflict is especially personal. Mayor Jerry plans to build a highway through the area where Mabel’s grandmother used to live, destroying a local habitat—all to save drivers a mere four minutes of travel time.

Just when things look hopeless, Mabel stumbles upon a secret project by her professor, Dr. Sam (Kathy Najimy). He’s invented a technology that can transfer a person’s mind into a realistic animal robot, allowing it to communicate with other animals – think of it like the universal translator from Star Trek. Mabel quickly realizes this could save the swamp. She volunteers to have her mind transferred into a beaver robot, hoping to persuade other beavers to return and rebuild their community, which she believes will stop Jerry from destroying their home.

Following a series of unexpected events, Mabel quickly finds a place among the many animals living in a small, overcrowded pond. These animals have all been forced from their homes due to climate change and thoughtless building projects. The authors, Chong and Andrews, skillfully address complex issues, most importantly questioning what we really mean by “progress” when it harms the environment.

Okay, things really pick up for younger viewers once we get into this bizarre new world. We meet King George, brilliantly voiced by Bobby Moynihan, who basically rules over a rundown, animal-sized apartment building – their pond! He’s obsessed with “pond rules,” which, thankfully, boil down to just being nice to each other. The whole thing is wonderfully silly, and the image of George leading all the animals in daily jazzercise, blasted from a beat-up, bright pink boombox discarded by humans, is pure comedic gold. It’s a clever visual that perfectly captures the film’s quirky charm.

Mabel discovers she doesn’t need to face challenges on her own, and that’s a powerful message. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the problems in the world, but finding strength in unity and building friendships across different groups can be truly inspiring. Working together makes a real difference.

It’s strange that the movie ultimately seems to suggest finding middle ground, particularly when that means compromising with a ruthless and power-hungry politician. While Jerry isn’t entirely selfless, the film portrays him as someone who can be reasoned with, which feels out of place given the movie’s otherwise rebellious and chaotic nature.

Daniel Chong’s movie isn’t flawless, but it’s so wildly funny and surprisingly insightful that it really stands out. The film creates a wonderfully bizarre and imaginative world, brought to life by hilarious voice acting from stars like Meryl Streep, Aparna Nancherla, and Sam Richardson. If this represents the kind of films Pixar will make in the future, it’s a great sign – a return to a time when kids’ movies could be both genuinely funny and deal with meaningful ideas.

Hoppers opens in theaters on March 6th, 2026.

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2026-03-02 20:29