Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ Achieves Highest Rotten Tomatoes Score in Nearly a Decade

Pixar’s latest animated feature, Hoppers, is generating significant buzz and critical acclaim, achieving a 97% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes as of March 3, 2026. This marks Pixar’s highest review score on the platform in nine years, breaking a long-standing streak and signaling a potential return to form for the animation studio.

What is ‘Hoppers’ About?

Hoppers centers around Mabel Tanaka, a 19-year-old animal lover who participates in a scientific experiment allowing her consciousness to be transferred into a robotic beaver. This technology, developed by Dr. Samantha ‘Sam’ Fairfax, enables humans to communicate with animals by experiencing the world as they do. Mabel hopes to understand the animal world and help protect their habitats, but finds herself navigating the complexities of animal society and uncovering unexpected mysteries. The film features the voices of Piper Curda as Mabel, Bobby Moynihan as King George, Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry Generazzo, Dave Franco as Titus, and Meryl Streep as The Insect Queen.

Critical Reception

Early reviews for Hoppers have been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have praised the film’s humor, thoughtfulness, and heartfelt message. Empire magazine awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “funny, thoughtful, sweet, making for a heartfelt paean to nature, and beavers in particular. Dam quality.” New York Magazine/Vulture described it as “a fun, modest little movie with enough zip and charm to keep kids engaged.” Kristen Lopez of The Film Maven noted that it is “one of the best Pixar movies in recent years,” even as acknowledging the script’s character motivations could be stronger. Nate Adams of The Only Critic called it “Pixar’s best original movie in years.”

Breaking the Review Score Streak

According to Forbes, Hoppers’ success on Rotten Tomatoes breaks a nine-year streak of lower review scores for Pixar films. This achievement has sparked discussions about whether the studio is regaining the creative momentum that defined its earlier successes, such as Toy Story and The Incredibles, which both hold a perfect 100% score on the review aggregator.

Release Information

Hoppers is scheduled for release in theaters on March 6, 2026. Tickets are currently available for pre-order.

Key Takeaways

• Hoppers currently holds a 97% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The film features a voice cast including Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Dave Franco, and Meryl Streep.
• Hoppers’ score represents Pixar’s highest on Rotten Tomatoes in nine years.
• The film explores themes of animal communication, environmentalism, and understanding different perspectives.