Mabel smiles next to King George, who was holding a stick and wearing a crown.
Pixar has one of the most famous catalogs of animated movies in movie history, with hits like Toy Story, WALL-E, and Inside Out. However, its newest addition, Hoppers, does something no Pixar movie has done before.
For years, fans have tried to connect every Pixar movie through various Easter eggs, creating a complicated timeline known as the Pixar Theory. This popular fan theory suggests that the Pixar films are all set in the same universe, ranging from the distant past to the far future. As it stands, the elaborate story incorporates everything from genetic mutations to time travel. Chronologically, at least according to this theory, The Good Dinosaur introduces the alternate world where the meteor missed Earth and humans and dinosaurs developed alongside each other. From there, animals, toys, and machines develop sentience. Eventually, the destroyed environment causes the creatures of Earth to evolve into the monsters of Monsters Inc. It's a complex and ever-growing theory that resurfaces every time the animation studio releases a new film, as fans try to fit it in. Some films make that easier than others, but Hoppers might be the most obvious one yet. Not only does the premise focus on developing technology to connect animals and humans, but the new movie includes several tie-ins to other films that go beyond Pixar's usual Easter egg, seeming to hint that maybe the Pixar Theory is right. 'Hoppers' Is an Important Piece of the Puzzle The Pixar Theory often relies on the animation studio's habit of hiding nods to both past and future projects in each film. In fact, Pixar does this so often that some dedicated fans will go to new films looking for hints about upcoming releases. On this account, Hoppers is no different. The most obvious is the turtle that a young Mabel tries to liberate from her classroom in the beginning, who is named Crush, like Finding Nemo's iconic character. While this could be an Easter egg, Finding Nemo's Crush is old enough that it could be more. Additionally, Hoppers features birds very reminiscent of the For the Birds short, which opens the door to more connections. While these Easter eggs are pretty typical for Pixar, Hoppers goes beyond that. Because the Pixar Theory requires animal society to develop to incorporate Ratatouille and Finding Nemo, Hoppers fits in flawlessly, as it features scientists studying animal behavior, giving Hoppers a natural place in the Pixar Theory's timeline. Yet one moment near the end really lends credit to the popular theory, as it implies that Mabel and Dr. Sam will be working on some important innovations. Revealing that her project has been cancelled, Dr. Sam tells Mabel she has other ideas, showing her diagrams that include a feline companion, like in Lightyear, scream energy from Monsters Inc., a cleaning robot that looks like WALL-E, and, front and center, the talking dog collar from Up. Related Pixar's New Sci-Fi Adventure Is Already One of the Studio's Top 10 Best-Reviewed Films Ever The animal comedy boasts an all-star cast. Posts By Jake Hodges The implication is that Dr. Sam and her associates will be turning their attention to these projects, and in a connected universe, why couldn't these scientists be the ones to develop this technology for other films? While it raises questions, especially with Dug claiming the explorer Charles Muntz invented the technology, there could easily be more to the story. After all, Up suggests that Muntz wouldn't be above stealing someone else's credit. Ultimately, this moment in Hoppers actively connects the characters to other Pixar films, embracing the Pixar Theory in a way the studio has never done before. What Does 'Hoppers' Connection Mean for the Pixar Theory? Hoppers tying several films together through Dr. Sam's ideas is an unexpected win for the Pixar Theory. While Crush and the birds are more Easter eggs than anything else, Dr. Sam's plans for the future work together to tie Hoppers to other Pixar content more closely than any previous film. Does this mean that Boo from Monsters Inc. grows up to be a time-traveling witch? Not necessarily. In the past, Pixar creators have denounced the theory, citing the fact that each film has different producers, directors, and purposes. Some even included references to it in a film, like Toy Story 4, featuring Bonnie's mother reading a book called Beyond Infinity: Debunking the Crazy Theory of a Shared Universe. With so much skepticism surrounding it, any proof must be clearer, but it does fuel the flames. Hoppers suggests that at least some of Pixar's films are connected, which is a massive win for the fans of the Pixar Theory. Subscribe to the newsletter for Hoppers' Pixar connections Explore Hoppers' role in the Pixar Theory by subscribing to the newsletter for deep Easter-egg breakdowns, film-to-film connection analysis, and clear context to help you decode cinematic ties — plus broader film coverage. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Hoppers is in theaters now. 8 10 Hoppers Like Follow Followed PG Family Comedy Animation Science Fiction Release Date March 6, 2026 Runtime 105 minutes Director Daniel Chong Writers Daniel Chong, Jesse Andrews Producers Nicole Paradis Grindle Cast See All
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