3 Minutes
Pixar’s next big animated film finally has a running time
Pixar has confirmed that Hoppers, the studio’s spring 2026 release, will run 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes). That makes it Pixar’s longest theatrical feature since the 2022 release of Lightyear, and a sign the studio is continuing to balance family-friendly pacing with more ambitious storytelling.
Runtime, cast and release date
Directed by Daniel Chang and written by Jesse Andrews, Hoppers arrives in theaters on March 6, 2026. The voice cast features Bobby Moynihan, Piper Curda, and Jon Hamm, blending comedic, youthful, and dramatic talents—an ensemble that hints at the film’s mix of heart and humor.
What it’s about
Hoppers follows Mabel Tanaka, a college student whose love of animals drives her to invent a device that can transfer human consciousness into robotic animals. To protect threatened habitats, Mabel uploads her mind into a robotic blue otter—setting the stage for an eco-forward adventure about identity, responsibility, and the limits of technology.
Themes and context
The premise places Hoppers squarely in a current wave of animated films that tackle environmental and technological topics without losing emotional core—think Wall-E’s ecological warning or Zootopia’s social allegory. The body-transfer tech angle also gives Pixar room to explore empathy in a literal, imaginative way: living through another species’ perspective has obvious narrative and ethical payoffs.
Why fans should care
For fans of Pixar, Hoppers promises the studio’s trademark blend of inventive visuals, character-driven storytelling, and themes that resonate beyond kids’ cinema. The 105-minute runtime suggests room for richer character arcs and worldbuilding, though Pixar will need to keep momentum so family audiences stay fully engaged.
Trivia: Hoppers is being touted as Pixar’s longest film since Lightyear. Bobby Moynihan’s presence continues a trend of comedians lending warm, layered voices to animated leads, while Jon Hamm’s casting signals the studio’s continued appeal to adult audiences.
Light but thoughtful, Hoppers looks poised to be a spring highlight for animation lovers—and a conversation starter about how technology might help (or complicate) conservation. Expect laughs, heart, and some speculative science fiction folded into classic Pixar emotion.
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