Early Access Release for ‘Hoppers’ Signals Disney Confidence in New Pixar Film — But Will It Be Another Elio?

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I’m so excited for the new Pixar movie, Hoppers! Disney is doing something really cool – they’re letting regular fans like me see it a week before everyone else. Usually, only critics and social media personalities get early access, and even they can’t talk about it yet! But the fact that Disney is sharing it with us Pixar lovers shows they really believe in this film, and that makes me even more hyped to see it!

Don’t miss #Hoppers in theaters starting March 6! You can even see it early with special screenings on February 28. Get your tickets now!

🎟️ Early access 2/28

🎟️ In theaters everywhere 3/6

— Pixar (@Pixar) January 28, 2026

Hoppers’ unusual premise may make word of mouth especially important.

What We Know About Hoppers

Daniel Chong’s first feature film, Hoppers, is a fresh take on the classic Dr. Doolittle story. According to Pixar, the movie follows Mabel (Piper Curda), an animal enthusiast who uses a new invention to transfer her mind into a realistic robot beaver, giving her the ability to communicate with animals.

The trailer, released in late November 2025, reveals a familiar storyline: Mabel finds herself in a new world and has to figure out how it works. The animals eventually rebel against the humans who are taking over their natural habitat. Unlike some recent Disney films, the trailer doesn’t indicate the movie will rely on sarcastic jokes or strong political themes, which have been points of criticism in the past.

Even with a strong cast featuring Meryl Streep, Dave Franco, and John Hamm, the new movie Hoppers might struggle to attract viewers when it’s first released. While kids might enjoy the fresh animal characters, especially if they’re fans of Zootopia, adults may prefer to wait and watch it on Disney+ since the story is fairly predictable.

As a huge Pixar fan, I have to admit, the lackluster box office numbers for Elio in 2025 really surprised me. It seems like just having the Pixar name attached to a film isn’t a guaranteed draw for families anymore – people are really being selective about what they see in theaters these days.

A Runway to Redemption?

Pixar’s Elio had a surprisingly poor opening weekend, marking the worst performance for any film from the studio. Like Hoppers, it was an original story, meant to recapture the kind of creative storytelling Pixar was known for. But changes made late in the production process—including redoing animation and switching creative teams—may have resulted in a confused film that didn’t connect with viewers. Around the same time, DreamWorks’ live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon earned significantly more at the box office.

If Hoppers is released in March, it could have a good start since there aren’t any other family movies coming out at the same time. This could be beneficial if the movie generates positive attention early on. Currently, though, excitement for Hoppers seems somewhat low. Its trailer has 7.4 million views on YouTube after four months. In comparison, the trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie reached 14 million views in just two months.

Pixar has a chance to win back audiences and restore its reputation with Hoppers, and offering early access to the film is a promising start. However, with so many sequels currently popular and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie coming soon, Disney is carefully watching how Hoppers performs. While early buzz is helpful, ultimately, ticket sales will determine if this film signals a real comeback for Pixar.

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2026-02-02 19:56