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Disney and Pixar debuted a 30-second spot for Hoppers during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, giving millions of viewers a taste of the studio’s next original animated film ahead of its March 6, 2026 release.
The spot, which aired during the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium, showcases the film’s colorful cast of animal characters communicating through emojis, dancing frogs, gossiping deer, and a variety of other creatures including snakes, birds, lizards, ants, and turtles. It is a brief but effective look at the film’s distinct visual style and comedic tone.
What Is Hoppers About?
Hoppers is set in a world where scientists have discovered how to “hop” human minds into robotic animal bodies. The story follows Mabel, a teenage animal-lover voiced by Piper Curda, who hops into a robotic beaver body to rally local animals against a construction company that is destroying their habitat.
The film is directed by Daniel Chong, the creator of the animated series “We Bare Bears,” and written by Enrico Casarosa, who wrote Pixar’s “Luca.” The voice cast also includes Bobby Moynihan as King George, Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry, along with Dave Franco, Meryl Streep, Vanessa Bayer, Melissa Villaseñor, and Ego Nwodim.
Early Reactions and Box Office Expectations
Early reactions to the film have been very positive. ComicBook’s Chris Killian called it “one of the best non-sequels Pixar has made in a minute” and described it as among “the funniest Pixar movies to date.” The studio has also leaned into comparisons between the film and Avatar, a connection that audiences and critics have drawn since early marketing materials began circulating.
Box Office Pro currently projects a domestic opening weekend of $40-50 million. That would be a solid start, though the film faces an interesting comparison to Pixar’s recent track record. Disney’s incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro has signaled big plans for the company’s entertainment properties, and Pixar’s performance this year will be closely watched.
Inside Out 2 was a massive success for the studio, while Elio, which has earned $154 million worldwide, underperformed relative to expectations. Hoppers represents a crucial test for Pixar’s ability to launch original (non-sequel) properties. The studio also has Toy Story 5 scheduled for June 19, 2026, making this a pivotal year for the Pixar brand.
Release Details
Hoppers arrives in theaters on March 6, 2026, with early access screenings beginning February 28. The Super Bowl LX spot was just one of several major movie advertisements that aired during the big game this year.
You can watch the full Big Game spot for Hoppers on Pixar’s official YouTube channel.
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