Pixar’s Hoppers is shaping up to be one of the studio’s strangest and most ambitious swings in years. The first trailer introduces a world where human consciousness can be transferred into lifelike robotic animals, a breakthrough that immediately raises more questions than it answers. The story follows Mabel, a young animal lover voiced by Piper Curda, who tests the technology by hopping into a robotic beaver. What starts as a lighthearted experiment quickly spirals into something far more unpredictable as Mabel ventures into the wilderness and discovers the animal kingdom has its own plans.

The tone of the trailer shifts fast. The forest feels alive, the animals are wary, and Mabel’s presence begins stirring tension that neither humans nor creatures seem prepared for. Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Docter set expectations with a comparison that says everything about the film’s scale, saying the movie is “a little like Avatar meets Mission Impossible meets Planet Earth.” It is the kind of quote that makes you both curious and slightly confused, which perfectly fits the chaotic energy the trailer delivers.

Visually, Hoppers goes all in on natural textures, expressive creature design and a blend of robotics and wildlife that gives the world a surreal edge. Even with Pixar’s signature polish, the film leans into a more intense atmosphere than many of the studio’s recent releases. While it is animated, the framing and environmental detail push it toward a style that feels bigger and more textured, though the charm of Pixar’s cartoon roots is still clearly present.

The cast adds even more weight. Meryl Streep voices the stern and enigmatic Insect Queen, Jon Hamm brings authority to Mayor Jerry, and Bobby Moynihan plays King George the Beav, who appears to be equal parts comedic relief and unexpected commander. Their performances hint at a film that mixes humor with themes about identity, control, and the ethics of blurring the line between human and animal existence.

Hoppers arrives March 6, 2026, and it already feels like a statement piece for Pixar. After a few uneven years, this trailer suggests the studio is ready to get weird again, experiment with big ideas, and maybe stir up a little existential panic along the way. And honestly, a Pixar movie that starts with a robot beaver and ends with a possible animal uprising deserves attention.