‘Hoppers’ Soars to Box Office Success, Becoming Pixar’s Biggest Original Post-COVID

Pixar’s latest animated film, Hoppers, is experiencing a strong debut at the North American box office, exceeding expectations and setting a new record for original animated films released since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film is benefiting from positive word-of-mouth and a favorable reception from audiences, particularly in contrast to the recent performance of The Bride.

Strong Audience Reception

Hoppers has received an “A” rating from audiences on CinemaScore, placing it on par with popular Pixar titles like Inside Out 1 & 2, Elemental, Brave, and others. This positive reception is contributing to its strong box office performance.

Box Office Numbers

According to Box Office Mojo, Hoppers debuted at #1 in North America on Friday, March 7, 2026, with $13.2 million. This figure includes $3.2 million from preview showings. Box Office Mojo

Breaking Records

Hoppers has achieved the largest opening day for an original animated film post-COVID, surpassing The Wild Robot’s $11.1 million debut in 2024. It also outperformed the opening days of Onward ($12.1 million), Elemental ($11.7 million), and Elio ($9 million).

Projected Opening Weekend

Projections indicate that Hoppers will earn between $40 million and $45 million during its three-day opening weekend. This would exceed The Wild Robot’s $35.8 million debut and potentially surpass Onward’s $39.1 million, marking the biggest weekend for a Pixar original since Coco’s $50.8 million opening.

About ‘Hoppers’

Directed by Daniel Chong and written by Jesse Andrews, Hoppers features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco. The film tells the story of Mabel Tanaka, an animal lover who uses new technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver, allowing her to communicate with animals and protect their habitat. Wikipedia, Pixar

Looking Ahead

With its strong start, Hoppers is poised for continued success at the box office. The film’s positive reception and unique premise suggest it will resonate with audiences and solidify Pixar’s reputation for creating compelling and original animated stories.