Animated sci-fi animal flick 'Hoppers' leaps to No. 1 at box office on opener

The Post praised the animated sci-fi comedy, saying, 'What separates 'Hoppers' from the pack of recent Pix flix, which have been wholesome as a church bake sale, is its comic irreverence.'

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The animated sci-fi comedy 'Hoppers' was the top-grossing movie at the box office on its opening Friday, raking in $13.2 million. The film beat out 'Scream 7,' which came in second with over $5 million, and 'The Bride!,' which was third with $3 million in sales.

Why it matters

The strong opening weekend performance of 'Hoppers' suggests there is continued audience demand for high-quality, irreverent animated films that appeal to both children and adults. This could signal a shift in the types of family-friendly movies that studios prioritize in the coming years.

The details

According to Box Office Mojo, 'Hoppers' took the top spot at the box office on its opening Friday, earning $13.2 million. The Post praised the film, saying it has 'comic irreverence' that sets it apart from other recent family-friendly animated movies. 'Scream 7' came in second with over $5 million, while the horror film 'The Bride!' was third with $3 million in sales.

  • On Friday, March 7, 2026, 'Hoppers' was the No. 1 movie at the box office on its opening day.

The players

Hoppers

An animated sci-fi comedy film that was the top-grossing movie at the box office on its opening Friday, earning $13.2 million.

Scream 7

The latest installment in the long-running 'Scream' horror franchise, which came in second at the box office on its opening weekend with over $5 million in sales.

The Bride!

A new horror film that was third at the box office on its opening weekend, earning $3 million in sales.

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The takeaway

The strong opening weekend performance of the animated sci-fi comedy 'Hoppers' suggests audiences are hungry for family-friendly films that offer a fresh, irreverent take on the genre. This could signal a shift in the types of animated movies that studios prioritize in the coming years as they look to appeal to both children and adults.