Pixar returned to the top of the box office this weekend as its new animated adventure “Hoppers” opened with a strong $46 million in North American theaters, giving the studio its biggest debut for an original film in nearly a decade.
The film also earned $42 million overseas for a global opening of $88 million, easily leading the weekend and signaling renewed enthusiasm for Pixar’s original storytelling after several recent theatrical struggles.
Industry analysts noted that the launch represents the largest opening for an original animated movie since Pixar’s “Coco” debuted in 2017. While Pixar has continued to see success with franchise releases, including the 2024 hit “Inside Out 2,” original projects have faced tougher competition in recent years as the theatrical market shifted during and after the pandemic.
“Hoppers” appears to have reversed that trend. The film received strong reactions from audiences and critics, earning a 94 percent rating from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an A CinemaScore and top marks in PostTrak audience surveys.
The film also benefited from broad audience appeal. Roughly half of moviegoers were teenagers and adults who attended without children, a sign that the film connected with viewers across multiple age groups.
The animated comedy-adventure follows Mabel, an animal lover who uses experimental technology to transfer her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver in order to communicate with animals. While exploring the natural world in her new form, she befriends a beaver named King George and discovers a looming human threat that could endanger the animal kingdom.
Mabel must rally animals from across the forest to confront the danger and protect their environment.
The film features a large ensemble voice cast including Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, Meryl Streep, Aparna Nancherla, Sam Richardson, Melissa Villaseñor, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Ego Nwodim and Vanessa Bayer.
“Hoppers” earned $13.4 million on its opening Friday, including about $3 million from Thursday preview screenings, and maintained momentum throughout the weekend as families and general audiences filled theaters.
The film also benefited from access to IMAX screens during daytime showings, giving it an additional boost in premium-format ticket sales.
While Pixar celebrated the successful debut, other films in wide release had mixed results. The horror sequel “Scream 7” finished second with $17.1 million in its second weekend, pushing its global total to nearly $150 million.
Warner Bros.’ gothic romance “The Bride!”, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and inspired by the classic “Bride of Frankenstein,” struggled in its debut with $7.3 million domestically and about $13 million worldwide against a much larger production budget.
Elsewhere at the box office, Sony Pictures Animation’s family film “GOAT” added $6.6 million, while “Wuthering Heights” continued its strong run internationally, surpassing $200 million worldwide.
For Pixar, however, the weekend belonged to “Hoppers,” whose strong opening suggests audiences remain eager for original animated stories on the big screen.
Source: Hollywood Reporter