Pixar's 'Hoppers' bounds to No. 1 as Warner Bros.' 'The Bride!' struggles

Disney and Pixar's environmental adventure film opens strong, while Maggie Gyllenhaal's R-rated 'Bride of Frankenstein' reimagining flounders at the box office.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Disney and Pixar's new animated film 'Hoppers' topped the North American box office this weekend with $46 million in domestic ticket sales in its opening weekend, adding another $42 million from international showings for an $88 million global launch. However, the R-rated Warner Bros. film 'The Bride!', a reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein story starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, debuted to a disappointing $7.3 million.

Why it matters

The success of 'Hoppers' is a much-needed win for Disney and Pixar following the poor performance of last year's 'Elio'. The film's strong opening is a positive sign for original animated content, which has struggled to match the box office heights of sequels and franchises in recent years. In contrast, 'The Bride!' represents a rare misfire for Warner Bros., which has enjoyed a string of No. 1 openings.

The details

Directed by Daniel Chong, 'Hoppers' is about a 19-year-old environmentalist who infiltrates the animal world in the body of a beaver. The film features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm and Kathy Najimy. 'The Bride!' reportedly underwent edits after poor test screenings and had its release date pushed back from September, possibly to avoid competition with Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein'.

  • Disney and Pixar's 'Hoppers' opened in theaters on March 8, 2026.
  • Warner Bros.' 'The Bride!' debuted in theaters on the same weekend.

The players

Disney and Pixar

The entertainment companies behind the successful animated film 'Hoppers'.

Warner Bros.

The studio behind the struggling R-rated film 'The Bride!'.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The actress who stars in 'The Bride!'.

Jessie Buckley

The actress who stars in 'The Bride!' alongside Christian Bale.

Christian Bale

The acclaimed actor who co-stars in 'The Bride!' with Jessie Buckley.

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What they’re saying

“This is a fantastic original film from the incredible team at Pixar, and it's wonderful to see audiences coming out with their friends and families to enjoy it together.”

— Alan Bergman, Co-chairman of Disney Entertainment (wbal.com)

“Unfortunately, we came in light. We have a tailored approach to our slate, investing strategically in talent, IP and original storytelling. It spans genres and budget levels and allows us to back bold, distinctive filmmakers … and sometimes things just don't work out.”

— Jeffrey Goldstein, Oversees domestic distribution for Warner Bros. (wbal.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.