Warning: This blog contains spoilers from the movie.
In the past years, we’ve seen the movie industry reuse and re-do old concepts. From the endless slew of remakes to the stretched-out sequels of major movie franchises, it’s an exhausting array of films that I’m sure many moviegoers (including myself) are tired of seeing.
So, imagine my surprise when Disney and Pixar decided to release a new movie that’s finally fresh and original. Now, don’t get me wrong, as a Disney and Pixar fan, I will watch every single one of their movies if I can. But this new film was definitely a breath of fresh air for us fans who would like to see something different for a change.
The 2026 animated movie ‘Hoppers‘ follows animal and nature activist Mabel Tanaka as she tries to save the glade from being torn down and used to build a highway. With the technology taken from her college professor, Mabel’s mind is transferred to that of a robotic (yet realistically-looking) beaver, in an effort for her to communicate with the animals in the area to take back the small pond and prevent the highway construction. However, things take a turn for the worst when Mabel’s passion takes over and causes chaos between the animal kingdom and the human world. Now, it’s Mabel’s mission to fix the mess she’s made and ensure peace between the two factions.
Hoppers is a fun film that effortlessly combines laugh-out-loud moments with a genuine emotional pull and clear and empowering messages. So, why does it work so well? Let’s break it down.
Well-timed comedy from characters you’ll grow to love
What makes the comedic scenes in Hoppers work so well is that it’s timed at the right moments. The film doesn’t randomly give you a punch line when the scene is meant to be heartfelt and serious.
It also helps that the jokes are performed by characters you’ll grow to admire while watching the film. The animals, in particular, were a great source of comedy as each of them displayed varying personalities and actions that will make you laugh out loud.
The film dives into real human connections
Although Mabel has always loved animals (and fought for them) since a young age, this advocacy was further fueled by her grandmother’s acceptance and support. So, it comes as no surprise that when her grandmother passed, it brought genuine, raw emotions from moviegoers who know what it’s like to lose a loved one.
Much like Disney’s previous animated hit Coco, this movie touches on the real and authentic love between family members —and seamlessly displays the impact of losing them. The audience sees this through Mabel’s character and why she always returns to the memories she’s had with her grandmother.
Additionally, I also liked how the film delved into the issues of acceptance. Almost no one in Mabel’s life understood why it meant so much to her to help the animals. It was really only her grandmother who accepted and understood her passion, and taught her how to see the beauty in the peace of her surroundings. So, when she lost the one person who believed in her the most, it made it more understandable to see why she pushes so hard to make a difference and find support from the community around her.
What made this so impactful is because I believe all of us, at one point in our lives, knows what it’s like to find ourselves alone and yearning for acceptance and support. This made me all the more appreciate the movie, as it touched on facets of human reality that almost everyone has gone through.
It’s these on-screen depictions of human connections that resonate with the audience and leaves a mark on them, even after the credits roll.
The movie conveys relevant and important messages
There are two important messages that the movie is trying to tell us. The first one (which is the main message) is that we are all one community.
Even though there are two factions, the animal kingdom and the human world, we are all working together and co-existing in the same universe. Given this, we should be respecting and helping one another, not destroying each other. This was shown in the movie when the animals united to help stop the fire from reaching Beavertown, despite Mayor Jerry’s efforts in converting their home into a highway.
The second message —and the one that stuck with me the most —is that there is good in everyone, even if we sometimes don’t see it.
It’s easy to be so cynical and untrustworthy of people, especially given the current situation of the world. But at the end of the day, there really is good in all of us; and sometimes, we just need to give others the opportunity to show us the good in them. In the movie, George was the one who taught this lesson to Mabel. Because of it, Mabel was able to give Mayor Jerry a chance to do some good in return.
Messages like these remind us that animated films can have real heart and speak to audiences of all ages—not just children.
Whether you’re choosing to watch it alone or with family and friends, Hoppers is definitely a film that’s worth the watch and one that you won’t soon forget. So, go see it while it’s still in the theaters!
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C. Militar Writes 