AceShowbiz - Hoppers is rapidly climbing the ranks to become one of Pixar’s highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2026 animated feature follows a young girl named Mabel, voiced by Piper Curda, whose consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver as she attempts to save a forest from human destruction. This imaginative premise has drawn comparisons to Disney’s Avatar, but with a distinct Pixar flair.

As audiences continue to see the film, Hoppers holds a robust 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. If this rating remains steady, it will tie with acclaimed Pixar titles like Toy Story 4, Coco, and Inside Out 2 for the second-highest audience rating in Pixar’s history. The only Pixar movie with a higher audience rating is the 2020 release Onward, which boasts a 95% score. This achievement places Hoppers squarely in Pixar’s top five audience favorites.

The film has also garnered strong critical approval, earning a 94% critics’ score. Reviewers have praised its blend of dark humor, heartfelt storytelling, and quirky charm. Many see Hoppers as a potential return to form for Pixar, especially after several years where the studio’s original content received mixed reactions. The film’s success is especially notable as it is a non-IP original, a category where Pixar has struggled to consistently impress critics in recent years.

Here is a summary of the highest-rated Pixar movies by Rotten Tomatoes scores:

Onward (2020): 95% audience, 88% critics
Toy Story 4 (2019): 94% audience, 96% critics
Inside Out 2 (2024): 94% audience, 91% critics
Coco (2018): 94% audience, 97% critics
Hoppers (2026): 94% audience, 94% critics

Pixar’s journey over the past few years has been challenging. Before 2020, the studio was almost synonymous with consistent quality and box office success. However, the pandemic altered its trajectory, pushing films like Soul and Luca directly to Disney+ streaming instead of theaters. Even after theaters reopened, recent releases such as Elio and Lightyear struggled commercially, signaling a period of difficulty for the studio.

Many fans and critics felt that Pixar’s storytelling had shifted too heavily toward sociopolitical messaging, sometimes at the expense of emotional resonance. Hoppers marks a notable shift back to core storytelling, tackling climate change with an emotional and heartfelt approach rather than overt activism. This has resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike.

Pixar’s chief creative officer, Pete Docter, expressed concerns about the studio’s recent output in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. He acknowledged the dip in quality and emphasized a renewed focus on crafting stories with universal appeal. "As time's gone on, I realized my job is to make sure the films appeal to everybody," he said. This philosophy appears to be driving Pixar’s current projects, including Hoppers.

With a substantial $150 million budget, Hoppers is already topping domestic box office charts, currently beating out films like The Bride starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. Early projections estimate an opening weekend gross of up to $40 million, which would be one of Pixar’s strongest openings since Coco in 2018. This promising start suggests that 2026 could be a significant year for the studio’s resurgence.

Following Hoppers, Pixar has several high-profile releases lined up. The fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise is scheduled for release in June 2026. Given the franchise’s popularity and the story’s timely focus on smart technology threats, it is expected to perform strongly at the box office. Additionally, Pixar has announced sequels to beloved franchises, including Coco 2, The Incredibles 3, and Monsters Inc. 3, as well as an original film titled Gatto, slated for 2027.

The positive reception of Hoppers signals that Pixar may be regaining the creative momentum that made it a beloved studio. Directed by Daniel Chong in his first lead directorial role for Pixar, the film benefits from his prior experience working on projects like Elio and Inside Out 2. The voice cast features notable talents including Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, and Meryl Streep, adding star power to the production.

Currently playing in theaters, Hoppers is a family-friendly film rated PG. It combines elements of comedy, animation, and science fiction within a runtime of 105 minutes. The screenplay was co-written by Daniel Chong and Jesse Andrews, with Nicole Paradis Grindle producing.

In summary, Hoppers is a promising sign of Pixar’s revitalization. With its strong critical and audience reception, solid box office performance, and upcoming slate of exciting projects, the studio appears poised for a successful 2026 and beyond. Fans and industry watchers alike will be eager to see how Pixar builds on this momentum in the coming years.