Summary
- Pixar announced a new original movie entitled
Hoppers
at D23, featuring a body-swap comedy with Jon Hamm and Piper Curda. - The animation studio has recently seen a major shift in focus toward sequels to proven IPs, with D23 also seeing the confirmation of an
Inside Out
spin-off show and
The Incredibles 3
. - With the studio still open to banking on original titles like
Hoppers
, it proves to be a glimmer of hope and creativity.
While they have a slate full of sequels to their major franchises, Pixar has announced a new original movie entitled Hoppers. The beloved animation studio known for Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo attended D23 to show off their upcoming slate of movie and television projects alongside other studios under the Disney banner. Alongside new updates for previously announced titles, Pixar confirmed several new projects were in development, including a return to the world of the Parr family in The Incredibles 3.
As Screen Rant attended the Disney Entertainment Showcase on the opening day of D23, Pixar announced during their segment that 2026 will see the release of their upcoming body-swap comedy, Hoppers.
In the animated feature, young girl Mabel (Piper Curda) finds herself placing her mind into the body of a mechanical beaver to explore nature without imposing on the wildlife. Alongside Curda, Hoppers stars Jon Hamm as a mayor with ulterior motives for the undisturbed natural landscapes, while Bobby Moynihan will provide the voice of King George, the king of the beavers.
Hoppers Is A Highlight Of Pixar’s D23 Showcase
The Studio Is Shifting Away From A Heavy Focus On Original Stories
Though previously announced projects including Toy Story 5 and Elio were the focus of Pixar’s 2024 D23 showcase, Hoppers stands out as a much-welcome addition to the studio’s future movie slate. Between the studio finding many of its productions released directly onto Disney+ and others sailing to live up to expectations at the box office, Pixar’s president revealed in 2024 that there would be a greater emphasis on sequels and spin-offs to existing proven IPs as opposed to a prioritization of original ideas, and this goal could be seen in their D23 presentation.
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Every Upcoming Pixar Movie & TV Show
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While the television series Win or Lose breaks ground as the studio’s first original television project, and the promise of Elio in 2025 will see the studio introduce an all-new galaxy to audiences, it is hard to deny that Pixar’s slate is relying heavily on the same business practices that dominate much of Disney’s slate. D23’s reveals from all studios involved consisted heavily of existing IPs, rather than branching into new frontiers. As such, with the company pinning its future successes on proven properties, Hoppers is a glimmer of hope and creativity among a familiar, safe future for both studios.
Hoppers may not make its theatrical debut until early 2026, but Pixar’s early reveals have created a lot of promise for the unconventional body-swap tale. Between bright and lively concept art, and Hamm and Moynihan coming together to use their comedic talents in a battle between nature and profit, Hoppers is set to leave audiences laughing. As such, Pixar may have another much-needed success on its hands.