Pixar’s Hoppers: Exploring Climate Change & Empathy in Animated Comedy

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Though it’s a funny animated movie, it also has heartwarming moments and tackles the serious issue of climate change, delivering a valuable message for viewers of all ages.

This movie follows Mabel, a young girl who can transfer her mind into animals thanks to advanced technology. She teams up with King George, a dignified beaver, and together they go on an exciting journey to save both the human and animal worlds from a dangerous problem.

While it appears to be about technology affecting animals, the film’s central conflict actually highlights the wider consequences of climate change for all living things. Ash Crossan from ScreenRant interviewed the cast and crew, who explained the film’s hidden message and the important warning it offers viewers.

Jon Hamm says the movie is funny, but it also has genuinely touching moments and a sweet, emotional ending.

Hamm also emphasized the film’s connection to nature, stating that understanding the ecosystem and our role within it is “one of the most important themes.”

I find being in nature really grounding. It puts things in perspective and reminds you that you’re just a small piece of something much larger, which encourages you to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you. I’m lucky to live near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, so I can easily access nature right outside my door – I often see hawks, snakes, coyotes, and deer. It’s a good reminder that we’re part of nature, not separate from it, and that’s a key idea in the film.

The film also hopes to promote empathy, which Curda believes is missing in today’s world.

Piper Curda believes a key message of the movie is empathy – understanding that others have their own desires and approaches to life, even if they differ from our own. It’s about recognizing that people’s actions might stem from their own struggles or goals. She feels empathy is especially important now, as it seems to be missing in a lot of interactions, and she hopes the film encourages viewers to practice it.

Bobby Moynihan believes that now, more than ever, it’s crucial to be kind and supportive of one another. He suggests we could all benefit from having people in our lives who are as caring and helpful as characters like King George and Mabel.

Pixar’s Hoppers is a standout success, earning the studio’s highest Rotten Tomatoes score in seven years with a 96% rating. Beyond its strong message, the short film cleverly connects to the wider Pixar universe. Director Daniel Chong and producer Nicole Paradis Grindle have included Easter eggs referencing previous movies like Up and Finding Nemo, and even hinting at the upcoming Toy Story 5.

Everything The Film’s Creators Have Said About Hoppers‘ Deeper Meaning

ScreenRant asked about the original concept for the movie and how it evolved during production. They also mentioned being surprised by the film’s humor and emotional impact, saying they unexpectedly found themselves crying.

Daniel Chong: We got you!

Nicole Paradis Grindle explains they’re essentially misleading audiences by emphasizing the comedic aspects of their work, only to then deliver something much more impactful and potentially unsettling. They’re drawing people in with the promise of humor and then surprising them with a different experience.

The idea for the movie came from watching nature documentaries that use robotic animals with cameras. It’s funny to see these somewhat clumsy robots trying to blend in, and the goal is to capture natural animal behavior until an animal inevitably discovers it’s a fake. We started thinking, what if the technology was so advanced that animals and people couldn’t tell the difference? That was the initial spark. We really wanted to keep that comedic element throughout the entire filmmaking process – prioritize being entertaining and silly, and then layer in the emotional depth.

ScreenRant praised a moment with the character Mabel, calling it one of the funniest things they’d ever witnessed and expressed their gratitude.

Nicole Paradis Grindle: It’s a surprise.

One of the most rewarding parts of showing our film has been watching how audiences respond, especially to a particular moment. The reaction is always strong, but it varies from crowd to crowd. For example, when we screened it in Mexico, the audience gasped for nearly thirty seconds. In Germany, someone actually shouted ‘No!’ It’s always a unique and enjoyable experience seeing how different groups react each time.

Watching this is really a shared experience. I can’t picture seeing it alone for the first time – I think people connect with it more when they experience it together.

Check out more of our Hoppers coverage here:

  • Pixar’s New Movie Debuts With Studio’s Best Rotten Tomatoes Score In 7 Years
  • Hoppers Review: Pixar’s Bizarro Mashup of Avatar and Being John Malkovich Is Their Best Yet of the Decade
  • Hoppers’ Streaming Release Date: When Will It Debut On Disney+?

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2026-03-06 22:23