Pixar’s Hoppers Movie: Every Animal Species & Character That Appears (Photos)

by

Pixar’s new movie, Hoppers, hits theaters on March 6th. It’s their first completely original film since Elio, which didn’t perform well at the box office. Hoppers tells the story of a future where people can transfer their minds into robotic animals, letting them truly understand and communicate with the animal world.

Director Daniel Chong’s first Pixar film features a huge range of animal species. The story centers on Mabel Tanaka, a 19-year-old who loves animals and is voiced by Piper Curda. She transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver and uncovers secrets about the animal world.

This movie shows people changing into different animals, alongside a colorful cast of creatures that already inhabit this world. From towering bears to minuscule ants, Hoppers celebrates the wonders of nature with beautiful animation from Pixar.

Every Animal Species & Characters Appearing in Hoppers

Human

The main conflict in Hoppers revolves around the people involved. The story features a technology created by scientists that lets humans move their minds into robotic animal bodies, opening up the potential for direct communication with animals.

The story centers around Mabel Tanaka, a 19-year-old who loves animals. She gets a chance to try out new technology that lets her transform into animals, and while using it, she discovers hidden truths about the animal world. Her adventure begins when she turns into a robotic beaver, and everything she thought she knew about animals is turned upside down.

Dr. Sam (played by Kathy Najimy) and her partner, Dr. Nisha, invented a special technology that allows people to temporarily experience life as an animal. Dr. Sam excitedly explains how it works to Mabel, giving the teen the chance to actually feel what it’s like to be an animal.

I’m so fascinated by Nisha (Aparna Nancherla) and her work with Dr. Sam! They’re collaborating on this incredible project, and it’s amazing – they’ve actually figured out how to help humans and animals understand each other. It felt impossible before, but they did it!

Grandma Tanaka is Mabel’s grandmother and a key figure in her life. She truly understands Mabel’s adventurous spirit and helps her develop a deep love and understanding of the natural world through her guidance and care.

Mayor Jerry Generazzo (played by Jon Hamm) is the main villain of the film. He’s a charming but ruthless local mayor and developer who threatens the animals, leading Mabel and her friends to unite and fight against his schemes.

Conner, played by Sam Richardson, is a new character who’s a graduate student and scientist at Beaverton University. He works with Dr. Sam and Nisha.

Beaver

The story Hoppers focuses on beavers, known for being hard-working builders. These animals create dams and homes in rivers and streams, effectively acting as natural engineers.

Mabel finds a way to live inside the body of a robotic beaver. Although she’s still the same person – Mabel Tanaka – this new form lets her communicate and connect with animals in a way she couldn’t before. Now, she has to figure out how to act like a beaver while still using her human mind.

King George, played by Bobby Moynihan, is a charming and natural leader as the beaver king. He becomes a friend to Mabel and helps her navigate the challenges of the animal world. He also plays a key role in uniting the animals to stand up against the dangerous Mayor Jerry.

I just finished watching the trailer for Hoppers, and I have to talk about Loaf, played by Eduardo Franco! He’s this incredibly laid-back beaver, seriously the most chill character ever. It’s hilarious because even when a bear, Ellen, is trying to eat him in the teaser, he doesn’t even seem fazed! He’s definitely a standout supporting character and I’m already loving his vibe.

Bear

Bears are impressive animals, known for their power and size. They can be either strong allies or dangerous opponents, earning them a lot of respect.

As a big fan of the show, I loved the first teaser for the new season! Ellen, who’s voiced by Melissa Villaseñor, is the main bear character, and there’s this really funny bit where Loaf asks her if she still wants to eat him after Mabel saved him. Her response, “Nuh-uh. It’s weird now,” is perfect – it really suggests things are going to get super awkward with humans stuck inside animal bodies. It’s a clever little moment that sets up a lot of potential for funny situations.

Lizard

Lizards join the world of Hoppers, offering a unique perspective as reptiles. Unlike the mostly mammalian characters, these cold-blooded animals demonstrate how evolution has shaped them in different ways.

Before the movie came out, Tom Lizard (also known as Tom Law) quickly became a fan favorite. A scene after the credits showed him constantly typing the lizard emoji on his phone, which made him incredibly popular on social media. Pixar officially announced his name in August 2025 and confirmed he’s a character in the full film, where he helps Mabel.

Butterfly

In the game Hoppers, butterflies are used to represent insects. These beautiful creatures are known for their amazing transformation, changing from caterpillars into the winged insects we recognize.

Okay, so I’m really excited about this new Pixar film! They’ve cast Meryl Streep as the Insect Queen, and she’s not just any character – she’s basically the head honcho of this Animal Council, like the most powerful and respected figure in their world. Apparently, they announced it back in November 2025. What’s cool is the contrast – she’s this beautiful butterfly, but she wields serious political power. It’s a really interesting concept, and I can’t wait to see Streep bring it to life!

Titus (played by Dave Franco) is the son of the Insect Queen and acts as a supporting villain in the story. He’s portrayed as someone who craves power and feels deserving of everything, frequently changing into his preferred form as the “Insect King.”

Caterpillar

Caterpillars are the young form of butterflies and moths. They crawl around before changing into their adult forms, but as “Hoppers” points out, they seem to have their own unique characteristics even before this transformation happens.

The Insect Prince starts as a caterpillar and is the offspring of the Insect Queen. He’s visible in the Hopper’s trailer, strongly backing the insect rebellion against humans.

Fish

Fish add to the variety of life in the Hoppers ecosystem. They demonstrate the range of animals that live in the water, not just on land.

Ego Nwodim plays Fish Queen, the representative for all sea creatures on the Animal Council. As a member of the council, she helps govern the kingdom. Nwodim became part of the show’s cast with Meryl Streep in November 2025.

Goose

Geese are a type of waterfowl known for their seasonal migrations and close-knit families. They also appear as characters in animated films.

The Bird King is designed to look like a goose, fitting his regal status with a crown. He’s a cautious character who doesn’t trust humans.

Frog

Frogs are amphibians, meaning they can live both in water and on land, and they add a unique feel to the world of Hoppers.

The Amphibian King is the leader of all amphibians. As a member of the Animal Council – which also includes the Insect Queen, the Bird King, and the Fish Queen – he rules over his species and participates in important decisions affecting the animal world.

Snake

Snakes are a type of reptile, different from lizards. These legless hunters move by slithering and can open their jaws incredibly wide to eat large prey. The film showcases three beautiful snakes.

As a film buff, I recently learned about the ‘Reptile Queens,’ played by Nichole Sakura. They’re these really interesting characters – basically three snake sisters who are all sleek and limbless. They’re not just any snakes though, they’re royalty! They’re part of this ‘Animal Council’ and act as its monarchs, which is a cool concept.

Shark

Sharks are introduced into the Hoppers exhibit, showcasing these top-level ocean predators. As apex predators, they play a vital role in keeping the ocean ecosystem healthy by controlling populations lower down the food chain.

Diane, played by Vanessa Bayer, is a professional shark assassin. She’s called in by the Animal Council to help them take down Mayor Jerry. Even though she’s known for being a skilled assassin, she’s actually quite friendly and always acts professionally.

Deer

Deer are hoofed mammals – essentially, plant-eating animals known for their elegance and quickness. They’re commonly found grazing in forests and meadows, and the forests of Hoppers wouldn’t be the same without them.

The new trailer features Lucy, a deer character, joining Mabel and her friends. We also see two other deer chatting in the forest about someone they both know.

Additional Animal Species

Hoppers features numerous other species, rounding out the ecosystem:

Tortoises are slow-moving reptiles known for their protective shells, and they’re among the animals showcased in the film.

Rabbits are quick mammals easily recognized by their long ears and strong legs, and they are a central part of the story in Hoppers.

Raccoons, known for their clever paws and habit of searching for food at night, are among the many mammals that must follow the rules of King Beaver’s pond.

Skunks are adorable black and white mammals often found near ponds, and they make a quick appearance in the trailer for Hoppers.

Ducks, skilled at swimming, walking, and flying, are connected to the ‘Hoppers’ family in the movie. The film’s promotional materials showcase a duck character named Barbara as one of the supporting roles.

Squirrels are cute, tree-dwelling rodents often spotted near King Beaver as he explains the rules of his pond. They play an important role in the special environment around Hoppers.

Dragonflies are very old insects, even older than dinosaurs, and belong to the group called Hoppers. When Mabel enters the animal world, a dragonfly is one of the first creatures she meets.

While mice aren’t always popular in real life, the ones in Hoppers are incredibly adorable. They make their home near the pond, living amongst many other animal species.

The game Worm — Hoppers stars a cute, pink worm, but its playtime is unfortunately brief – it’s quickly caught by a bird, showing a realistic, if harsh, part of nature’s cycle.

Okay, so “Ant” is a wild ride! It’s not just about tiny bugs; these ants are seriously organized and leading a full-on rebellion against humans. And the queen? She’s ruthless, constantly sending her army into battle. It’s a surprisingly intense movie!

Storks are big birds that wade in water and have long legs and beaks. In the story Hoppers, a stork causes trouble and even attacks Mabel’s beaver.

Besides the specific birds already described, many other types of birds live in the animal kingdom. When Mabel first arrives, a group of yellow birds cheerfully greet her, filling her with excitement.

Read More

2026-02-12 16:41