Looking Beyond the Hype and Examining the Message of Hoppers

After watching this film, and seeing the Rotten Tomatoes score, I honestly feel that maybe I missed something. I will give my full review below, but this is not the glowing review that everyone else is giving Hoppers. I will also detail below the content, which is pretty mild by today’s standards, but as Christians, we are not supposed to be judging the content we consume by today’s standards, but by God’s standards. In this Disney Pixar Hoppers Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this film with your family.

Hoppers Synopsis

Studio Synopsis:

In Disney and Pixar’s all-new animated comedy adventure “Hoppers,” animal-lover Mabel (voice
of Piper Curda) seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to “hop” her consciousness into a
lifelike robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals. As she uncovers mysteries in the
animal world beyond anything she could have imagined, Mabel befriends charismatic beaver King
George (voice of Bobby Moynihan) and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face a major
imminent human-threat: smooth-talking local mayor Jerry Generazzo (voice of Jon Hamm). The
all-star voice ensemble also features Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco and Meryl Streep. “Hoppers” is
directed by Daniel Chong and produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle, with an original score by Mark
Mothersbaugh. The film opens exclusively in cinemas on March 6, 2026.

My Synopsis:

When a local wildlife area is scheduled for destruction, Mabel, a young college student who has spent her life watching over that area, challenges the mayor of Beaverton. However, things go off the rails when Mabel uses technology to infiltrate the animal world. She encourages them to fight back which causes unintended consequences.

Disney Pixar Hoppers Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know:

Language:

No foul language, but there are plenty of insults and unkind words thrown around, such as jerk, stupid, and sucked. Additionally, one characters says, “Flap Around and Find Out,” FAFO. Another character says, “Parents, am I right,’ in a deragatory manner that invites the audience to laugh at their authority.

Violence:

One scene shows a huge wildfire in the forest making it’s way toward the city below. This may be upsetting to children who have lived through wildfires.

Furthermore, there is extensive animated violence especially in the last part of the film. Mabel (the main character) attempts to steal animals from the classrooms at school, and when she is stopped, she bites a teacher. School officials scream at her, and her mother yells as well. She isn’t really punished. In fact, her “punishment” is going to her grandmother’s house and spending time with her. Grandma is understanding, and even tells Mabel that when she was 12, she punched Suzie in the face. Grandma does give Mabel some “coping” skills. However, I never really feel like Mabel learns that she cannot just do whatever she wants.

In the last part of the film, there are animals attacking a human that includes a shark being “carried” by birds and attacking a man in a car. Over and over, there are scenes which can be scary to small children. Additionally, as I was watching the movie, I wrote in my notes, “This scene reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock’s, The Birds.” Obviously, this is animated, but still has the potential to be scary.

The technology that allows Mabel to infiltrate the animal world is used by the animals to “become human.” In one scene, a robotic man who is inhabited by an insect, has his rubber face removed revealing a “Terminator” looking character.

Spiritual Content:

The animals say, “All hail Mabel”, and “all hail” an animal. Animals are considered equals to humans, and the animals believe that humans adhere to the same code that they do.

Other Content:

One of my biggest complaints about this film is the excessive screaming. Even JJ (my 21 autistic son who loves all movies) said that this movie has a lot of screaming. I used to complain about this with other children’s animated films outside of Disney. My saying was, “They couldn’t come up with great dialogue so they just added random screaming.” Open Season has tons of screaming in it, and you never realize the amount until you have a child who repeats movie lines. In fact, JJ said, “

Furthermore, this film has a very environmental message about protecting the environment, and the government (Mayor) is the bad guy wanting to expand the city and using illegal methods to do so.

Positive Content:

There are many cute Pixar movie references. The turtle in the classroom is named Crush from Finding Nemo. There is a dog from Up and plans for a dog collar that enables dogs to talk. Furthermore, there are birds from the Pixar Short, For the Birds, and the cat from Soul.

Where Hoppers Conflicts with a Biblical Worldview

Hoppers strongly emphasizes protecting the environment and animals. Caring for creation is a Biblical principle. In fact, we see in Genesis 2:15, God gives humans the responsibility to care for the earth. However, this film goes a step further and often frames animals and humans as morally equal, suggesting animals have the same authority and standing as people.

From God’s standards, this is not accurate. Scripture teaches that humans are created in the image of God. Furthermore, while animals are part of God’s creation, they were placed under human stewardship, not on equal footing.

For Christian families this may provide an opportunity for discussion. Parents may want to talk with their children about the difference in caring for God’s creation and elevating nature to the same level as humanity.

Finally, Mabel’s right and wrong come from her feelings. It is okay, in her own mind, to do what she is doing because she is right. Biblical right and wrong come from God’s truth, not from personal conviction or emotion. Both Mabel and the Mayor are ultimately responsible for the destruction in the film, and neither one are held accountable for their actions.

Disney Pixar Movie Review – My Viewing Recommendations:

My initial thought about Hoppers was that I expect to see headlines reading, “The best Pixar movie so far this year.” It is the only Pixar movie so far this year.

Imagine Terminator, Avatar, Open Season, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and A Bug’s Life inhabiting the screen in the same movie. Chaos is what comes to mind, and this is what Hoppers offers.

Additionally, the yelling and screaming bothered me a lot. Even JJ mentioned, “Over the Hedge, Nickelodeon, Dog Man and Hoppers all have lots of screaming.” Additionally, the animated violence was more than I am comfortable taking a small child to see. Therefore, my age recommendation is 7 and up.

Disney Pixar Hoppers – About the Movie

Release Date: March 6, 2026

Rating: PG for action/peril, some scary images, and mild language.

Runtime: 105 minutes

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios

Distributed by: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Directed by: Daniel Chong
Produced by: Nicole Paradis Grindle
Written by: Daniel Chong, Jesse Andrews
Screenplay by: Jesse Andrews
Music by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Edited by: Axel Geddes, ACE
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure

The Cast of Hoppers:

Piper Curda as Mabel Tanaka

Karen Huie as Grandma Tanaka

Bobby Moynihan as King George

Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry Generazzo

Kathy Najimy as Dr. Samantha “Sam” Fairfax

Dave Franco as Titus

Eduardo Franco as Loaf

Aparna Nancherla as Nisha

Tom Law as Tom Lizard

Sam Richardson as Conner

Melissa Villasenor as Ellen

Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Bird King

Steve Purcell as Amphibian King

Ego Nwodim as Fish Queen

Nichole Sakura as Reptile Queens

Meryl Streep as Insect Queen

Vanessa Bayer as Diane

Demetri Martin as flock of birds

Joe Spano as elderly man

Lori Alan as Mabel’s mother

Movies You Can Feel Good About Letting Your Children Watch

DAVID

Light of the World

The King of Kings