Disney's Hopper Stuns with $46M Debut, Reviving Original Animation
Disney and Pixar's latest original film, Hopper, has made a strong start at the box office. The movie earned $46 million in its opening weekend across the U.S. and Canada, marking the best domestic debut for an original animated film since Coco in 2017. This success comes as the industry watches closely to see if audiences still embrace new stories over familiar sequels.
The film follows a young environmental activist who transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver to halt a freeway expansion project. Directed by Daniel Chong, known for creating We Bare Bears, Hopper has already pulled in $88 million globally. Its performance stands out in a market where sequels have dominated since the pandemic—films like Zootopia 2, which grossed over $1.8 billion, or Inside Out 2, which earned $1.69 billion in 2024.
Original animated films have struggled in recent years. Pixar's Lightyear (2022) managed just $226 million, while sequels like Toy Story 4 (2019) and Finding Dory (2016) each surpassed $1 billion. Even 2025's Elio only reached $154 million worldwide. Yet Hopper now offers hope that audiences still want fresh ideas.
The wider box office is also showing growth. Domestic revenue for 2026 is up over 12% compared to the same period last year. Hopper led the weekend, while Scream 7 took second place with $17.3 million in its second weekend.
Hopper has delivered Pixar's strongest original opening in years. The result suggests that well-crafted new stories can still compete with established franchises. For a studio built on original hits like Toy Story and The Incredibles, this could signal a shift in strategy.
