Toy Story 5 releases tomorrow, and it’s safe to say anticipation is high. It’s been seven years since Toy Story 4 released and there have been a few changes and updates to the Toy Story universe. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Toy Story 5.
Note: The below contains minor spoilers ahead of Toy Story 5!
New Toys and Familiar Faces
As with any Toy Story, we can expect all the usual suspects like Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr Potato Head and the gang are all back on the big screen. A number of supporting characters return too, including Toy Story 4 favourites Forky, Karen Beverly and Duke Caboom. Toy Story 5 also introduces a host of new characters, most notably the film’s villain, Lilypad, a smart tablet, voiced by Greta Lee. Fun fact, this is actually Greta Lee’s second Disney movie, having starred in Tron: Ares in 2025.
The Buzz and Woody Reunion
At the end of Toy Story 4, we saw Woody and Buzz part ways with Woody staying behind as a ‘lost toy’. From the trailers, We know Woody eventually ends up back with the gang and in Bonnie’s bedroom, however we don’t yet know how they reunite. Thankfully, the film does help bridge this gap and Buzz and Woody’s separation is not ignored. We will have to wait and see how it all it ties together, but I’m pleased it’s not being brushed aside!
Jessie Takes the Spotlight
Since Woody left Bonnie’s toys at the end of Toy Story 4, we see from the trailer that Jessie has taken over as the sheriff of Bonnie’s room. We know that Jessie goes head-to-head with Lilypad and they clash to protect Bonnie’s imagination and the film heavily resurfaces Jessie’s deeply rooted trauma and abandonment issues from Toy Story 2. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this plays out as I feel Jessie definitely played a much smaller role in the past few movies.
The Creative Team Behind the Magic
The fifth instalment of the Toy Story franchise is directed by two-time Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton (who directed Finding Nemo and WALL-E), alongside co-director Kenna Harris. Despite this being the first Toy Story movie Stanton has directed, he is well-versed in the Toy Story universe, having served as a writer for story and screenplay on all four previous films. It will be awesome to see the direction he takes Toy Story 5 in!
The Return of Randy Newman
There’s another familiar behind-the-scenes star returning for Toy Story 5 – none other than Randy Newman. Composer of the iconic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and every Toy Story soundtrack ever since, it’s great to see Randy Newman return for the fifth instalment. The main single for Toy Story 5 is, however, provided by Taylor Swift, who contributed an original song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You”.
Are you ready for one more adventure?
It’s hard to believe we are finally getting a fifth chapter to a story that started all the way back in 1995. Whether you are rooting for Jessie’s new era as leader of the room, or just desperate to see how Buzz and Woody finally cross paths again, tomorrow is going to be an emotional day for Disney fans everywhere.
What are your predictions for the movie? Do you think a smart tablet will make a good Pixar villain? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Earth Day 2026 is one week away and for Disney fans, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with some awe-inspiring content on Disney+. From stunning, in-depth documentaries to classic Pixar movies, there is something for fans of all ages to celebrate Earth Day. Here are 10 of my picks ahead of Earth Day 2026.
Documentaries to Watch on Disney+ for Earth Day
Disneynature’s Orangutan (Releasing April 22nd)
Narrated by Josh Gad (Voice of Olaf), Disneynature’s Orangutan is Disney’s flagship 2026 Earth Day release and frankly, it looks awesome! The film follows Indah, an inquisitive adolescent orangutan learning how to navigate life as she prepares to leave her family and venture out on her own for the first time. From the trailer, the visuals of Borneo and Sumatra look stunning and the soundtrack really gives me Tarzan vibes. It definitely looks like a documentary not to be missed!
Secrets of the Bees
Another recent documentary addition to Disney+ is Secrets of the Bees, produced by National Geographic. The two-part documentary discovers the hidden world of bees and their incredible intelligence. James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) serves as the executive producer for the documentary so as you’d expect, the visuals are phenomenal. It’s a fantastic documentary to understand the impact bees have on the natural world and humanity as a whole.
Disneynature’s Tiger
Much like Disneynature’s Orangutan, Tiger is another Disneynature documentary film, which as the title suggests, follows the journey of a young tigress raising her cubs in the forests of India. Priyanka Chopra Jonas serves as the narrator and it’s a really wholesome tale of parenthood and understanding the life and journey of tigers.
A Real Bug’s Life
Spanning 2 seasons, A Real Bug’s Life transports viewers into the micro-universe of insects of all shapes and sizes. It’s another fantastic documentary that shows the extraordinary lives insects live and as someone who is fascinated by bugs, this really hits the spot for me as a series! Again, some of the visuals are phenomenal and there is even an episode at the end of the second series which shows how the series was filmed – I’d highly recommend checking it out!
Best Disney Movies for Earth Day
The Lion King
Arguably one of Disney’s most iconic movies of all time, it’s hard not to include The Lion King as part of any Earth Day watch-along! It’s not just the Savannah setting or the abundance of animal species that make The Lion King essential Earth Day viewing, it’s the message the movie conveys. Mufasa famously says the following quote, which I think embodies the beauty of our natural world and captures the essence of Earth Day:
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope… When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life”.
A Bug’s Life
We can’t have A Real Bug’s Life in the list without having the Pixar classic! A Bug’s Life is a fantastic depiction of the weird and wonderful insect world and I think does a fantastic job at giving an insight into how organised and intelligent bugs actually are. As a film too, it’s one of the funniest Pixar movies in my opinion and is severely underrated!
Elemental
Another Pixar movie to watch ahead of Earth Day is the fantastic Elemental! The premise and backdrop of the film is literally built on the four elements; fire, water, air and earth. It’s a visually stunning animated movie that cleverly plays on how all of the elements tie in to one another. Plus, at the heart of the movie is a love story that gets me every time I watch it!
Short Films & Relaxing Picks on Disney+
Lava
Lava is a short film (10-minute run time), produced by Pixar which really embodies Earth Day. In essence, it’s a musical love story about two volcanoes that takes place over millions of years. If you’ve never watched it before, it does sound like an odd concept, but in typical Pixar fashion, they do a fantastic job of making the characters so relatable. Also, the song is particularly catchy, so be warned!
Zenimation
I feel like the short Zenimation series on Disney+ has totally gone under the radar for Disney+ fans, but it’s such a wonderful little series. Essentially, it’s a series of short clips from Disney movies (like the water from Moana or the forest from Bambi) edited together for a relaxing visual experience. It’s a really simple concept and if you’ve seen the movies, there is no extra content here, however it really does allow you to appreciate the animation and the calming effects of nature.
Earth Moods
Okay so not quite a ‘short’ as such, Earth Moods is a National Geographic series of videos, ambiently exploring various biomes across the world. There’s no narration, it’s purely an ambient journey through some of the most beautiful places on earth. They remind me of the sort of thing you’d see on display on a TV in an electronics store, but nonetheless, they are perfect for having on in the background while you work or relax.
The Verdict
Whether you’re in the mood for a deep dive into the jungle with Josh Gad or just want some calming scenery while you finish your work, Disney+ really has gone all out for 2026. For me, Earth Day is all about taking a moment to appreciate that “delicate balance” Mufasa talks about – and if I can do that while eating popcorn and watching a Pixar classic, even better.
I’m definitely going to be sat front and centre for Orangutan on the 22nd. There’s just something about those Disneynature films that makes you want to go out and plant a tree (or at least buy a reusable water bottle!).
What are your Earth Day plans? Are you going to be diving into the new Orangutan documentary, or are you sticking with a classic like The Lion King? Let me know your watchlist in the comments below!
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!
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!
Pixar’s latest exhibition hit London last month, and I had the pleasure of visiting just a few days after it opened to the general public. Mundo Pixar is an interactive, walk-through experience that transports you to various worlds from the Pixar Universe.
London is actually the 7th stop on the Pixar Mundo ‘world tour,’ with it having already wowed audiences in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Barcelona, Brussels, and Mexico City. It has now set up camp in a purpose-built venue in Wembley Park, and being a big fan, I had to see it for myself.
Feeling completely dwarfed in Andy’s room – the scale here is absolutely spot on for making you feel like one of the toys.
We visited as two adults without children during the school holidays, so we got a first-hand look at what the experience is like at full capacity. Albeit we are big kids ourselves, I was a little concerned that we might feel out of place, but there were plenty of other Pixar-crazed adults enjoying the exhibit too.
Read my thoughts below on the good, the bad, and the ugly of our experience at the Pixar Mundo London exhibition.
The Good
Firstly, let me start by saying that the exhibition is actually a really fun experience and brilliantly put together! There are 14 rooms in total, which explore scenes from Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc, Cars, Coco, Elemental, Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Ratatouille, and Luca. Walking into each room, it felt like you were instantly transported into the movie.
The exhibits look high quality and there are a ton of smaller touches that Pixar fans of all ages can appreciate, such as the swinging monkeys from Toy Story or the Paradise Falls adventure fund jar from Up. The attention to detail here is really impressive; I was a little hesitant that it might feel like a ‘knock-off,’ but I’m pleased to report that the experience wouldn’t feel out of place at Disneyland.
Stepping into Portorosso – the set design here does a great job of capturing that seaside Italian charm from Luca.
My favourite room had to be Andy’s bedroom from Toy Story – the room does a fantastic job of putting you at the scale of a toy and seeing things from Buzz and Woody’s perspective! Other standouts are definitely the Finding Nemo room, which depicts a scene from the deep blue, as well as Carl and Ellie’s house from Up. As an added bonus, they even have a small Hoppers photo opportunity featuring beaver Mabel at the entrance, which was a nice touch!
A nice surprise at the entrance: a photo-op with Mabel from the upcoming movie Hoppers.
One of my big concerns about going during the school holidays was how busy it would be, but thankfully the whole exhibition is actually very well managed. Entry is staggered by designated time slots, which prevents major bottlenecking. Even in the smaller rooms, the flow felt smooth, and despite it being at capacity, the only queue we spent too much time in was at the coat check!
Speaking of photo opportunities, these are in plentiful supply! In each room, there is at least one designated photo shoot location, be it with Mike and Sulley in the Scare Factory or with Lightning McQueen and Mater in Flo’s V8 Café. I’d also recommend getting creative; pretending Andy has just walked into his room in the Toy Story section makes for some brilliant memories to look back and laugh at! There are staff on hand in every room to help take photos, and they were incredibly friendly and helpful, especially given the constant flow of guests.
Making ourselves at home in Carl and Ellie’s house!
Another really positive thing I saw was how accessible the exhibition is. There are no steps throughout, meaning it’s fully accessible for wheelchair users. Additionally, at the entrance to each room, there were QR codes for visually impaired users, which I thought was a really nice touch. It’s great to see an exhibit putting accessibility at the forefront of its design rather than feeling like an afterthought.
The Bad
Whilst the rooms are well designed, not all of them quite live up to the standard of the Toy Story areas. The Elemental room felt really poorly executed – crammed into a small space, it’s essentially just Wade and Ember sat together on a metro carriage. There is only one photo opportunity in this room, and it feels like a waste given how awesome an “Element City” scene could have been. As someone who loves Elemental, this was a big disappointment. Likewise, the Ratatouille room felt, pardon the pun, a little half-baked.
Similarly, I think there could have been more variety. With 14 rooms in total, six of those come from the same three franchises (Up, Toy Story, and Coco). Did we really need two rooms dedicated to Coco? I’d have loved to see a scene from Brave or The Incredibles instead. That’s not to say those rooms weren’t great, I’d just have liked a little more variety given Pixar’s catalogue of fan favourites.
Hector and Dante taking center stage.
I’d also have liked to see a bit more signage or memorabilia. Other than a small sign briefly outlining the room, there was very little to engage with other than the sets themselves. Granted, this is an interactive exhibition and not a museum, but a bit more signage with fun facts about the movies or maybe framed scripts and posters certainly wouldn’t have gone amiss.
My biggest issue with the experience is the cost. For two adults, it cost us £35 each, and if you factor in travel, it quickly amounts to an expensive day out. The experience lasts approximately an hour, which is probably the perfect length for children, but frankly, it works out as an expensive hour! For context, a single undated adult ticket to Disneyland Paris costs £115, which works out at £9.67 an hour if you stayed from open to close!
I was really looking forward to the gift shop and was hoping to pick up some merchandise, but again, everything felt so expensive. It’s well-stocked and has some great items, but the pricing felt out of touch. I fell in love with a Finding Nemo water bottle but sadly couldn’t justify the eye-watering £30 price tag. Perhaps if the tickets had been a little cheaper, I would have had more pocket money to spend!
Just keep swimming! The Finding Nemo reef was one of the most vibrant rooms in the whole exhibition.
The Ugly
To enjoy the exhibit, you really need to be as free as possible to take photos, which means not carrying coats or bags around. The organisers acknowledge that and offer a coat check, but sadly, this comes at a cost of £3. Honestly, given the ticket prices, the coat check should be free on principle! I appreciate £3 isn’t a crazy sum, but for me, it’s the principle of it.
There is an area to leave buggies and prams next to the coat check which I’m hoping was at no extra cost, so if you are travelling with one of those, it may be an idea to leave your jackets in the pram to avoid the extra fee.
One of those small, beautiful touches: Carl and Ellie’s mailbox, complete with their signature handprints.
One minor nitpick I had was an interaction in the Elemental room. A guest asked who the characters (Ember and Wade) were, and the staff member responded by saying he thought they were just ‘Fire Girl and Water Guy.’ Maybe I’m being extremely pedantic (I am!), but it did ruin the magic a little that some staff weren’t more knowledgeable – I suppose I’m just a bit used to the Cast Members at Disneyland!
It’s a bit of a weird disconnect; while the sets are designed by Pixar (and they look incredible!), the actual event is run by an outside production company. It shows that while the ‘production’ is top-tier, the ‘service’ doesn’t quite have that Disney training where everyone knows the world inside out.
The Verdict
Despite the ‘Disney tax’ applied to nearly everything, Pixar Mundo London is a fun day out that calls to your inner child. It gives you that rare joy of actually entering the world of Pixar, making it a great way to spend an hour for kids young and old!
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.
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!
If you thought 2025 was busy, 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse for Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. From long-awaited sequels to some incredibly unique original stories, here is the full checklist of everything we’ll be watching on the big and small screens this year.
January
January 6: Will Trent
January 6: The Rookie
January 7: Tron: Ares (Disney+ Streaming Debut)
January 13: Hey A.J.!
January 16: Phineas and Ferb
January 22: Disneyland Handcrafted (New Documentary)
January 26: American Idol
January 27: Wonder Man
January 30: Send Help (Theatrical)
February
February 4: The Muppet Show: Sabrina Carpenter Special
February 20: Psycho Killer (Theatrical)
February 25: Scrubs
February 27: Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars
March
March 4: Daredevil: Born Again
March 6: Hoppers (Theatrical)
March 22: The Bachelorette
March 27: The Dog Stars (Theatrical)
March 27: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (Theatrical)
May
May 1: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theatrical)
May 22: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Theatrical)
June
June 19: Toy Story 5 (Theatrical)
July
July 10: Moana (Live-Action Theatrical)
July 31: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Theatrical)
August
August 1: Sofia the First: Royal Magic
October
October 16: Whalefall (Theatrical)
November
November 25: Hexed (Theatrical)
December
December 18: Avengers: Doomsday (Theatrical)
Looking at that list, I honestly can’t wait for the year ahead. Seeing Star Wars return to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu feels like a massive moment we’ve been waiting years for, and the hype for Robert Downey Jr.’s return in Avengers: Doomsday is very, very real.
On the animation front, I have to say that Hoppers is right at the top of my list – the trailer looks like such great fun and it’s exactly the kind of quirky original story Pixar does best. What are you most excited for in 2026? Let me know in the comments!
2025 proved an exciting year for Disney fans and there was plenty to keep us busy and occupied with as the years went on. Below, I’ve recapped some of the most notable highlights, across new movies, theme park news and various other topics.
Movies
Movies were in plentiful supply in 2025 from the Walt Disney Company, with Disney, Pixar and Marvel all releasing blockbuster hits. Snow White released back in March to a storm of controversy that seemed to overshadow the film itself. Things did pick up later in the year with the positive release of Lilo & Stitch in May which grossed $1.038 billion and became the third-highest-grossing film of 2025 and the highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid in history.
On the animated front, Zootopia 2 broke further records for Disney, having the highest grossing opening weekend for an animated movie. Pixar’s Elio released in June to generally positive reviews, however a severe lack of marketing for the movie in the lead up to its release led to it underperforming at the box office.
2025 proved a busy year for Marvel Studios too, with three feature length movies hitting the big screen. Captain America: Brave New World released back in February to mixed reviews and a fairly poor box office performance by Marvel standards, with President Kevin Feige citing the film’s disappointing $415 million box office performance to the absence of fan-favourite Chris Evans. Both Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps also released in 2025, both of which receiving generally positive reviews.
There were plenty of other movies released last year that too deserve a special mention including Freakier Friday, Tron: Ares and of course Avatar: Fire and Ash.
TV Series
It was also a busy year for TV Series for Disney, with a number of new and original series arriving to Disney+, as well as returning fan favourite series.
2025 saw the highly anticipated season 2 of Andor arrive and I have to say, this may just have been one of my highlights of the year! The series received fantastic critical acclaim and received twenty-two nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five in 2025, including a huge win for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.Marvel also had a busy year with TV series, with Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart joining the MCU, with both received generally positive reviews across the board.
The first ever Pixar long-form television series released in the form of Win or Lose, a coming of age comedy drama centred around a softball team called the Pickles. The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrived to Disney+, as well as the revival of the iconic Phineas and Ferb with its fifth season.
Theme Parks
The biggest event of the year was Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary, with a number of events and celebrations to commemorate its 70th anniversary.
One of the biggest pieces of theme park related news in 2025 was the announcement of the Disney Abu Dhabi project which was officially unveiled as a major partnership with Miral. While an official opening date is yet to be announced (though rumours point to 2030), it will be Disney’s first theme park resort in the Middle East, opening up a host of new and excited adventures for a brand new audience.
Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Art (Image Credit: Disney)
We also said an emotional goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D which permanently closed its doors at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, much to the disappointment of Disney fans across the globe. Phased closures also began at Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland U.S.A. as it prepares for a ‘Tropical Americas’ retheming.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line saw a brand new ship launch in November 2025 with the magnificent Disney Destiny. With a capacity for 4,000 passengers the “Heroes and Villains” themed ship features the debut of Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, a first-of-its-kind musical dinner show, and The Sanctum, the first Doctor Strange-inspired lounge at sea. Early reviews of the Disney Destiny have been fairly positive, particularly amongst families with mixed-age kids and adults seeking a more mature sailing experience.
Merchandise
It’s very hard to summarise all of the new releases when it comes to Disney merchandise as it is a never ending cycle at times! That being said, there were a few particular new releases of note, particularly with some of the Disney LEGO sets released over the past 12 months. From the affordable display pieces like the Pixar Luxo Jr. and WALL-E and EVE sets, to the more extravagant LEGO Icons Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship (The Black Pearl) which brought back the return of the fan favourite LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean theme.
Trading cards also saw a massive surge in popularity across the board in 2025 and Disney trading cards also exploded in 2025 across released from Topps, Kakawow and Lorcana. 2026 looks set to continue this trend with a number of other sets due for release across all three of these manufacturers.
As a big LEGO and card collector, 2025 proved an expensive year for myself!
Commercial Performance
Commercially, Disney had a fantastic year, crossing a massive milestone in 2025, reaching nearly $94.4 billion in annual revenue (up 3% from 2024). Despite strong earnings, the stock remained volatile throughout the year, fluctuating between a low of $80 and a high of $124 as investors weighed streaming wins against declining traditional TV. The Parks and Experiences division reached a record $10 billion in annual operating income, remaining the company’s most reliable and resilient “cash cow.”
2025 Milestone
Achievement
Highest Grossing Movie
Zootopia 2 ($1.58B+)
Newest Destination
Disney Abu Dhabi (Announced May 2025)
Newest Ship
Disney Destiny (Launched Nov 2025)
Financial Growth
$94.4 Billion Revenue (Up 3%)
All in all, 2025 proved a successful year for the Walt Disney Company, not just commercially, but positive critical responses across movies proved that there’s still life in the mouse yet!
What was your Disney highlight of 2025? Let me know in the comments below!
November is here, and Disney+ is giving us plenty to be thankful for! This month features the debut of the exclusive documentary Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films, the fun holiday film A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, and the premiere of this Summer’s highly anticipated Marvel movie, The Fantastic Four. Here’s a look at everything coming to Disney+ this November.
Saturday, November 1
CoComelon JJ’s Animal Time (Seasons 1-3)
Joy to the World
Sunday, November 2
Traveling with Snow Man (New Episode)
Tuesday, November 4
Seasons Streaming (New Stream)
Wednesday, November 5
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Premiere)
Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation (New Episode)
Throwback (New Stream)
Friday, November 7
Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films (Disney+ Original) (Premiere – All Episodes Streaming)
Life-Size
Love+War (Premiere)
The Worst Trip Around the World (Disney+ Original) (Premiere – All Episodes Streaming)
Steamboat Charlie 