PIXAR’s 40th-anniversary centerpiece! When Avatar meets Mission: Impossible, Hoppers arrives with its viral meme lizard

Before we knew it, Pixar Animation Studios had been with us for 40 years. From the original Toy Story to last year’s Inside Out 2, Pixar has always had a knack for turning wildly imaginative ideas into stories that touch the heart. Now, in 2026, the brand-new original film Hoppers (Hong Kong title: Raccoon Dreams; Taiwan title: Raccoon World) has been unveiled as the opening highlight of its 40th-anniversary celebrations. It has a top-tier team behind it, and even before its release, its “meme lizard” has taken over social media, making it one of this year’s must-see releases.

• Related reading: A childhood favorite returns! The first teaser for Toy Story 5 is officially here: Is this what Woody and Buzz Lightyear will face this time?

1. Pixar’s 40th-anniversary surprise: its 30th feature film

As Pixar’s 30th animated feature, Hoppers has the important task of opening the studio’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. Pixar productions have always been synonymous with creativity and quality, and this time, amid its signature laughs and surprises, the film cleverly weaves in a heartfelt message about nature conservation. Its storytelling is humorous yet resonant, giving adults and children alike that one-of-a-kind Pixar feeling at the movies.

2. A new meme favorite: “Lizard Tom” goes viral with his world-weary face

If you’ve been scrolling through Threads or Instagram lately and spotted a lizard with a blank expression making wildly unexpected moves, that’s Tom the lizard from Hoppers! With his adorably dopey, world-weary face and surprising antics, Tom quickly became material for online creators and took over major platforms in no time. Many readers have joked that they have to head to the theater just to see this “real lizard” for themselves!

3. A wildly imaginative animal-version crossover between Avatar and Mission: Impossible

The premise is fascinating, and the film has been described as an adorably animal-filled version of Avatar meets Mission: Impossible. It follows Mabel, a nature-loving girl who uses a scientist’s newly invented “hopping transfer technology” to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver. From an animal’s POV, she infiltrates the animal kingdom and uncovers a shocking secret no one knows about. Blending sci-fi, spy, and action elements, the film follows humans and animals from land, sea, and sky as they join forces to save nature, with plenty of pace and visual spectacle.

4. A top creative team: an Emmy-nominated director and the Inside Out 2 team

Pixar has enlisted Daniel Chong, the Asian American creator of the hit animated series We Bare Bears, to direct. It marks his feature-length animation directorial debut. The production team also comes from last year’s hit Inside Out 2. Together, they ensure the story has depth while bringing fresh ideas and a visual style never before seen in Pixar animation.

5. Pushing the limits of computer animation: breathtakingly detailed natural scenery

Pixar has always been at the forefront of computer animation, with every new release striving to push the limits. This time, the team developed new technology to handle highly complex natural settings and integrate a large cast of animal characters. From Mabel, the buck-toothed, chubby beaver protagonist, to King George the beaver and Alan the bear-man, every character has a distinct look and personality. These grand, intricately detailed scenes are best appreciated on a theater’s big screen!

Hoppers will officially open in Hong Kong on March 12, 2026. If you can’t wait, grab tickets for the March 7 and 8 early screenings
now!

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