Hoppers has barely been in cinemas a week, but after receiving a wave of positive reviews – with many calling it the best Pixar original in years – it got me thinking: could we see a sequel to Hoppers in the future?
We know Pixar loves a sequel, but as with any movie, there are a few factors that determine the green light: Does it make sense to the story, does it make sense financially, and frankly, do we even need one?
Note: This post contains spoilers for the ending of Hoppers!
Does a sequel make sense to the story of Hoppers?
First things first, let’s address whether or not a sequel makes logical sense. At the end of the film, Mabel graduates from college and Dr. Sam tells her that the “Hoppers” programme has been discontinued – essentially meaning there will be no more “hopping” into animals. I thought it was really interesting that the film seemingly closed off the opportunity for future animal-hopping so definitively; they could have easily said the tech was just moving off-campus, but instead, it’s been shut down.
What Dr. Sam goes on to say, however, is that closing the program allows her to focus on “future projects.” The chalkboard reveal in her lab was one of my favourite moments, showing prototypes for Dug’s talking collar (Up), Sox the cat (Lightyear), and a cleaning robot that is unmistakably WALL-E.
This awesome Easter egg was the largest clue that a sequel could be on the cards! Dr. Sam also offers Mabel a job as her assistant, which feels like a clear setup for a follow-up. It suggests a premise where a sequel wouldn’t necessarily be about the beaver robot, but about Mabel helping to develop the iconic tech that populates the rest of the Pixar universe.
Could we see a TV Series instead?
I genuinely think a follow-on TV series for Hoppers could work brilliantly. If a sequel goes down the route of developing Dr. Sam’s prototype projects, that translates perfectly to an episodic format. Each episode could explore a new piece of technology with Mabel helping to implement it. Seeing how Dug got his collar or learning how WALL-E was first created would provide amazing background lore for our favourite Pixar classics.
It’s worth noting that director Daniel Chong actually comes from a heavy TV background (he created the hit series We Bare Bears), so he knows exactly how to build a world that works in a serialized way. Given the success of Pixar’s Win or Lose series on Disney+ last year, there is clearly an appetite for this. A series based on this “prototype development” angle would allow Pixar to be experimental and fun without the pressure of a massive theatrical release.
Do we even need a sequel?
It’s the age-old question: do we even need one? The movie ends on a beautiful, complete note. The glade is saved, the freeway is rerouted, and Mabel has found her place in the world. Sometimes a “true original” is better left as a standalone masterpiece like Ratatouille or WALL-E.
One of the things that made Hoppers so great was the eclectic cast of characters, from King George to Tom Lizard. Since the ending suggests we won’t be seeing the “glade gang” anytime soon, any direct sequel without them might struggle to hit the same heights. However, a spin-off focusing on the dynamic between Mabel and Dr. Sam would be a huge positive in my book.
Does it make sense financially?
This is often the biggest clue as to whether a sequel gets greenlit. Despite it being early days, the signs are very positive. Globally, Hoppers reached an estimated cume of $88M on its opening weekend, making it the biggest original animated debut since Coco in 2017.
This is a massive indicator of intent. It’s particularly relevant because Pixar last year confirmed that ‘Coco 2’ is officially in development. If Pixar is willing to return to a beloved standalone hit like Coco after it proved its financial and critical worth, they will almost certainly be looking at these #1 box office numbers for Hoppers as a reason to turn it into a franchise.
The Verdict
While it’s still early days, the combination of a record-breaking opening weekend and that “Pixar Cinematic Universe” ending makes a follow-up feel almost inevitable. Whether it’s Hoppers 2 or a Disney+ spin-off called The Assistant, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Mabel Tanaka.
What do you think? Do you want to see more of Mabel’s new job, or should Pixar leave this as a one-off win? Let me know in the comments!
Steamboat Charlie 