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Tag: Hoppers

Why is there a lack of merchandise for modern Disney films?

Disney merchandise, be it toys, clothing, video games, plushies or pins, is seemingly unavoidable. Everywhere you look there is a new partnership or collaboration being announced on social media. It’s unsurprising, particularly when you consider how much revenue merchandise generates for the Walt Disney Company.

According to their 2025 Annual Report, Disney’s total “Product” revenue (which covers merchandise, publishing, and games) reached a whopping $9.8 billion. Despite this, there has been a noticeable lack of merchandise in recent years, specifically for modern Disney films.

After watching Pixar’s Hoppers recently, I was incredibly excited to check out what merchandise would be available, particularly given the impressive marketing push Disney and Pixar gave the movie. With the film’s cast of cute and cuddly characters, I was expecting a range of plushies and maybe even a series of pins too, but I was frankly left incredibly disappointed with what I could find on the Disney Store.

A very disappointing search on the Disney Store!

A single plush toy of King George and a figurine set of a handful of the characters made up the merchandise available here for fans in the UK. Upon checking the US Disney Store, stateside Hoppers fans didn’t get much of a better treatment, with only a handful of T-shirts available in addition to the soft toy and figurine set. As a fan who is partial to a Disney collectable or two, I was really disappointed with what was available to coincide with the release of Hoppers.

So, why are we getting less and less merchandise for original Disney movies? Why are we seemingly getting more and more merchandise for the classic Disney movies instead? I’ve taken a look at why this might be happening…

The Financial Unknown

Despite the vast amount of revenue which merchandise delivers for the Walt Disney Company, to ensure that revenue is profitable, Disney’s current strategy is built on “guaranteed wins.” It’s reported that in 2025, Lilo & Stitch merchandise alone generated over $4 billion. When one 20-year-old movie makes that much (granted, the live-action remake certainly had an impact on that figure!), Disney is less likely to risk floor space on a brand-new movie like Hoppers until they are certain it has the same “staying power.”

Walking past the Disney Store, you’d expect to see the latest hits front and centre, but the reality inside the shelves is often very different.

From “Toy Aisle” to a “Lifestyle Brand”

Have you noticed how the toy aisles in supermarkets seem to be shrinking, while the adult sections in shops like H&M or Pandora are growing? Disney is undergoing a massive pivot. They’ve realised that while a child might play with a plastic figurine for a week, a Gen Z or Millennial fans will pay a premium for a high-end collaboration they can actually wear or display.

We’re seeing fewer traditional “playthings” and more “lifestyle” items – designer handbags, jewellery, and “streetwear” collections. By targeting fans with disposable income who grew up with the classics, Disney is essentially trading the £10 plastic toy for a £100 fashion statement. It makes sense for their bottom line, but for those of us who just want a decent plushie of a new character we love, it feels like we’re being left behind.

The Digital Takeover

It’s not just physical aisles that are changing; it’s digital ones, too. Disney has realised that a lot of their audience, especially the younger generation, would rather spend their money on a digital “skin” for Fortnite than a plastic toy for their bedroom. With Disney’s massive $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, we’re seeing a shift where characters like Buzz Lightyear or the Incredibles gang show up as playable avatars before they even hit the Disney Store shelves.

These digital goods are a goldmine for Disney; there are no manufacturing costs, no shipping delays, and no clearance aisles. When you consider that in-game spending is projected to hit over $170 billion by 2030, it’s easy to see why Disney might prioritise a virtual “Mabel” skin over a physical plushie. In their eyes, a digital item that you can show off to millions of other players online has more “social currency” than a toy sitting on a shelf at home.

The “Wait and See” Strategy

In the 90s, you couldn’t move for merchandise hitting the shelves months before a movie even premiered. Today, the strategy has flipped. To avoid the dreaded “clearance aisle” fate that hit films like Wish, Disney often waits for a movie to prove its “staying power” before mass-producing a full range.

It’s a frustrating cycle for fans. We want to celebrate a movie like Hoppers while the hype is at its peak, but Disney is playing it safe, waiting to see if the streaming numbers justify the manufacturing costs. It feels like they’re missing the “magic” of the moment in favour of a spreadsheet.

While new films struggle for shelf space, the “Classics” like Mickey Mouse and Stitch continue to dominate the physical Disney Store aisles.

The Verdict

It’s a bittersweet time to be a Disney fan. While it’s great to see the classics getting so much love, the lack of support for original stories like Hoppers feels like a missed opportunity. If Disney doesn’t let us bring these new characters home through merch, how are they ever supposed to grow into the ‘classics’ that the next generation falls in love with?

What do you think? Have you struggled to find merch for your favourite modern Disney films, or are you happy sticking with the classics? Let me know in the comments!

14/04/2026
Will There Be a Hoppers Sequel? Everything We Know (So Far)

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!

14/03/2026
Pixar’s Hoppers Review: A Dam Good Time

I was super excited for Hoppers when I first saw the trailer last year. The concept of transferring your mind into an animal to communicate with nature really had me hooked. I’m pleased to report that not only does Hoppers execute this premise brilliantly, but it also packages together a fantastic story with memorable characters and top-tier gags.

WARNING: Minor spoilers below!

The Story

The film follows Mabel Tanaka, an animal lover who sets out to save a local habitat from destruction by transferring her mind into a lifelike robotic beaver. As I mentioned, the concept is handled excellently. I really appreciated that the stakes didn’t feel world-ending; it felt like a much more grounded, personal Pixar movie compared to the high-concept scale of something like Lightyear.

The film is set in the aptly named city of Beaverton, a metropolis on the edge of vast woodlands. The alpine setting really complemented the theme of the movie. While watching, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to 2006’s Open Season. Granted, the similarities are mostly in the forest setting and the quirky animal cast, but it’s interesting to see where Hoppers may have drawn some of its inspiration.

The Characters

The characters are what make Hoppers so enjoyable! Mabel is relatable, fiery, and funny – everything you want in a lead. I was really impressed with how Pixar managed to translate Mabel’s specific mannerisms and appearance into her beaver form. I can definitely see her becoming a fan favourite in the years to come.

While Mabel is the star, the supporting cast makes the film truly entertaining. From King George (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), the beaver monarch, to Jerry Generazzo (voiced by Jon Hamm), the greedy mayor attempting to drive the animals out of Beaverton, the ensemble is a lot of fun. My personal highlights include the wacky Tom Lizard, the slow-moving beaver Loaf, and the insect king, Titus.

A Fast-Paced Adventure

My only real complaint is that I wanted more of them! It felt like the supporting characters – particularly Tom Lizard, Loaf, and Ellen the bear – didn’t get quite enough screen time. In truth, despite a 104-minute runtime, Hoppers felt a little rushed in spots. There wasn’t much opportunity for Mabel and King George to build a deep bond like we see with Lightning McQueen and Mater in Cars.

I appreciate this is an animated film primarily aimed at a younger audience, but Hoppers felt like a total breeze. There were definitely scenes that could have been expanded to give us more character depth and background, but it’s still a very well-packaged movie.

Animation and Humour

I also loved the animation style. Calling it “simplistic” might be an insult, because the fur and hair rendering is phenomenal; most of these characters look so fluffy you just want to give them a big hug! The simplicity actually lies in the environment around the characters – it feels a bit more stripped back, but that’s to no detriment of the movie. If anything, it just keeps the focus on the heart of the story.

What really stood out was the humour. Both the kids and adults in my screening were in stitches. The jokes never feel forced and land perfectly; I honestly can’t think of a recent Pixar movie that offered as many laughs as this one.

Heart and Meaning

Despite the comedy, there’s plenty of deep meaning rooted throughout. Mabel’s struggle to control her anger and her feelings of helplessness felt really relatable, especially as she processes the loss of her Grandma. As someone whose own grandparents influenced my love of animals, I really connected with Mabel – something I didn’t necessarily expect going in.

As a Pixar fanboy, Hoppers was a real treat. There are dozens of Easter eggs and callbacks that will have me rewatching this multiple times when it hits streaming later this year. I also noticed a few darker tonal shifts that felt inspired by the Win or Lose series – not a criticism at all, just a cool observation of how Pixar’s style is evolving.

The Verdict

All in all, Hoppers is a thoroughly enjoyable, well-packaged, low-stakes adventure packed to the brim with comedy and heart. It will no doubt be a beloved Pixar classic in the years to come.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.5/5

P.S. A quick heads-up for my fellow UK Pixar fans! If you go to watch Hoppers at Vue, they have these brilliant popcorn buckets for sale. It’s a great little souvenir to grab while you’re there.

08/03/2026
All of the Easter Eggs in Pixar’s Hoppers (So Far!)

If you’ve caught Hoppers in cinemas, you already know it’s a “dam” good time. But as with any Pixar release, the film is absolutely loaded with callbacks and hidden details that link it to the wider Disney and Pixar universe. Some are classic staples we see in every movie, but others feel like a massive nod to the “Grand Unifying Pixar Theory.”

Just a heads-up: There are spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen the film yet!

Here are the biggest Easter eggs and references I spotted in Hoppers:

Hidden Pixar Staples

A113: Dr. Sam’s lab is designated as room A113, the classic nod to the CalArts classroom found in almost every Pixar film.

The Pizza Planet Truck: During the sequence where the animals are escaping, you can see the iconic yellow truck sitting in a display case by the exit door.

The Pixar Theory Chalkboard: Late in the film, Dr. Sam shows a chalkboard covered in sketches for “future projects.” These clearly show prototypes for Dug’s talking collar from Up, Sox the cat from Lightyear, and a cleaning robot that is unmistakably WALL-E.

Disney & Pixar References

Finding Nemo: Young Mabel tries to save a class turtle named Crush.

When Mabel asks which way to go in the forest, a spider webs an arrow to point her in the right direction – a direct mirror of the Moonfish forming an arrow for Marlin and Dory.

Diane the Shark is also a massive tribute to Bruce. Not only is she a Great White with that same “polite assassin” personality, but her movements during the chase scenes are a direct mirror of Bruce’s pursuit in the submarine.

Big Hero 6: If you look closely at Mabel’s jacket, the name “TANAKA” is embroidered on it. This is likely a nod to Kiko Tanaka from the Disney+ series Baymax!. It’s rare to see Pixar reference a Disney Animation project so directly, but the character designs in Hoppers definitely share that BH6 DNA.

Up & Toy Story: Mabel’s phone case features a Wilderness Explorers Badge and one of the Little Green Men aliens.

Bambi: There is a specific shot of a bunny and a skunk hanging out in the forest, which is a direct tribute to Thumper and Flower.

Soul: When Jerry is on his tablet watching YouTube, check the suggested “Funny Cat Videos” sidebar. The thumbnail features Mr. Mittens from Soul.

The Lion King: King George’s backstory is a mirror of Simba’s, and he even quotes The Haunted Mansion by telling Mabel there is “always room for one more.”

High School Musical: George also tells the group they are “all in this together.”

The Incredibles: One of the cat videos Mabel watches features an orange cat that looks exactly like Squeakers.

For the Birds: During the Animal Council meeting, look at the huddling blue birds on the branch – they are the same neurotic birds from the classic Pixar short.

Onward: The van used by Dr. Sam is the same model as Guinevere, Barley’s van from Onward.

Elio: In a photo on Mayor Jerry’s wall, you can spot a female Camp Carver scout, which is a direct nod to the characters in Elio.

Future Teases

Toy Story 5: On Mabel’s windowsill, there is a small toy of Atlas the Hippo, who is rumoured to be a major new character in the upcoming sequel.

Movie Tributes

Avatar: In one of the most “on the nose” references in Pixar history, Mabel describes the whole mind-transfer concept by saying it “is like Avatar!” It’s pretty rare to see them name-drop a non-Disney franchise so clearly!

Back to the Future: The character of Dr. Sam is heavily modelled after Doc Brown, right down to the hair and the eccentric scientist energy.

Frankenstein: The opening scene where the beaver comes to life is a shot-for-shot homage to the creation of Frankenstein’s Monster.

Jaws: Diane the Shark attacks with the exact movements of the shark from Jaws.

Free Willy: When Diane jumps over the dam to help put out the fire, the shot is a perfect recreation of the famous Free Willy jump.

The Terminator: The robotic “Hopper” suits and the final confrontation feature heavy nods to Terminator. Between the mechanical scanning and the red-glowing “eye” in the dark, it’s a clear tribute to the T-800.

It’s great to see Pixar finally leaning into the fan theories by showing Dr. Sam essentially “inventing” the tech we see in later movies. It makes the whole universe feel much more connected!

One Easter egg I actually did miss during my first watch was the Luxo Ball – I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for that yellow and red star on the rewatch!

Did you spot any other references while watching? Let me know in the comments!

07/03/2026
Hoppers Trailer Breakdown: First Look at Pixar’s 2026 Animal Adventure

Pixar has this week released a brand new teaser trailer for their upcoming 2026 movie Hoppers. The story follows Mabel, a young girl whose consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver, part of a revolutionary experiment to allow humans to communicate with animals. The trailer offers a hilarious glimpse at what could be Pixar’s next big hit.

Check out the trailer and read my first thoughts below.

A Promising Concept with Loads of Potential

Overall, I love the trailer and it’s got me even more excited to watch Hoppers next year! The concept looks brilliant and the potential for Mabel’s animal communication abilities feels immense. Whilst watching the trailer, I really felt some similarities to films like Open Season and The Wild Robot, mainly due to their setting. It will be interesting to see if more biomes and environments are explored in the movie.

Animation That Pops – and Contrasts

The animation too looks excellent, with the fur and hair department doing a great job at making the animals look extremely lifelike. One thing that did really strike me in the trailer was the contrast between the animation style in the human world, versus that of the animal world. In the human world, the characters, particularly Mabel, look like they have taken inspiration from Disney movies like Big Hero 6. In contrast, the animation in the animal world looks more atypical of Pixar movies. It’s great to see Pixar trialling different styles with their upcoming projects.

Image Credit: Pixar

Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Easter Eggs

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Pixar trailer without a few Easter Eggs, and speaking of Big Hero 6, could there be an Easter Egg with Mabel? I’ve already mentioned that her artwork and animation look quite similar to what we see in BH6, but interestingly in one scene, we see the name “TANAKA” embroidered onto Mabel’s jacket. In the Disney+ original series, Baymax!, Baymax befriends an elderly lady named Kiko Tanaka – could this be a relation to Mabel? Pixar-to-Disney Easter Eggs are fairly rare to see, but they do exist.

Could Mabel have connections to the Big Hero 6 universe? (Image Credit: Pixar)

One of the more obvious Easter Eggs (if you can even call it that!) in the trailer, is where Mabel describes the mind transfer concept “is like Avatar!”. Typically, Disney and Pixar references to other movies and franchises are much more subtle, so it’s super interesting to see a reference as on the nose as this!

All in all, the teaser trailer is a brilliant, first look at what we can expect to see from Hoppers – charm, humour and no doubt, a beautiful message at the heart of it all.

What do you think of the Hoppers teaser trailer? Let me know in the comments.

17/07/2025
Pixar Announces New Film “Gatto” Plus First Looks at Toy Story 5 & Hoppers

Pixar surprised fans on social media yesterday with a major announcement: a new film set in the world of Luca, plus new images and concept art for their upcoming projects.

New Pixar Movie Gatto Announced!

Image Credit: Pixar

Slated to arrive in cinemas in 2027, Gatto comes from Luca director Enrico Casarosa and returns to Italy, whilst following a black cat named Nero. Pixar’s post states that Nero is “Indebted to a feline mob boss, he finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose…”.

I’m thrilled we’re heading back to the world of Luca! I’ve always felt the film flew under the radar due to its pandemic release, but I also like the fact that Gatto is a completely new original story, set in the world of Luca, rather than a direct sequel. I wonder if Nero will cross paths with Machiavelli, Giulia’s dads cat?

The image released alongside of the announcement shows the main character Nero exploring the streets of what looks to be Venice. At first glance, the image looks like concept art — but it’s actually the final animation style of the entire movie! This is super refreshing to see and credit to Pixar for trying something new.

The whole concept of a main cat protagonist in an animated movie is especially interesting, given that earlier this year the animated movie Flow won the Academy Award, as well as countless other awards. It may just be a coincidence, but those animated movie cat lovers out there are in for a treat!

New Image From Hoppers

Image Credit: Pixar

Pixar also released a brand new image from Hoppers, an upcoming Pixar film scheduled for release in March 2026. The image shows two joyful-looking beaver-like creatures, one wearing a crown and holding a stick. Whilst we don’t know a great deal about Hoppers just yet, the Pixar website states that the basic premise is that ‘scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!’.

Of course, the new image doesn’t reveal much in terms of plot, but I must say, the animation looks fantastic. Just look at how fluffy the beavers’ fur is!

New Concept Art Image From Toy Story 5

Image Credit: Pixar

Toy Story 5 is also set for a 2026 release, and Pixar has released a concept art image. The image depicts Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye facing off with a tablet, which again coincides with what we know about the premise of Toy Story 5: ‘it’s Toy meets Tech’. Again, the image doesn’t really give us anything more than what we already know, but it’s another sign that we’re edging ever closer to seeing Woody, Buzz and the gang back together!

Which upcoming Pixar film are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments.

14/06/2025