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Emeryville Today
By the People, for the People
Disney and Pixar's 'Hoppers' Soars with $46 Million Debut
Original animated film marks highest opening for the genre since 2017's 'Coco'
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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Disney and Pixar's new animated film 'Hoppers' topped the domestic box office this weekend, earning $46 million in its opening. This marks the highest debut for an original animated movie since 2017's 'Coco', signaling a return to form for the studios' original content.
Why it matters
The strong performance of 'Hoppers' and other recent original animated films like Sony's 'Goat' is an encouraging sign for the theatrical viability of non-sequel animated projects. This is vital for Pixar, which built its reputation on original blockbuster hits like 'Toy Story' and 'The Incredibles'.
The details
The zany 'Hoppers' follows a young environmental advocate who 'hops' her consciousness into a robotic beaver to band together with other woodland creatures and stop a planned freeway expansion. Directed by Daniel Chong, creator of the Cartoon Network series 'We Bare Bears', the film had a global box office total of $88 million in its opening weekend.
- The film debuted in theaters on March 8, 2026.
The players
Disney
The Walt Disney Company, a major entertainment conglomerate that owns Pixar Animation Studios.
Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Disney known for its acclaimed original animated films like 'Toy Story' and 'The Incredibles'.
Daniel Chong
The director of 'Hoppers' and creator of the Cartoon Network animated series 'We Bare Bears'.
The takeaway
The success of 'Hoppers' and other recent original animated films suggests audiences are still eager for fresh, innovative stories from Pixar and Disney, rather than just sequels. This bodes well for the studios' ability to continue producing the kind of original animated blockbusters that defined their legacies.
