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Disney-Pixar’s “Hoppers” Dominates Box Office While “The Bride!” Struggles
Disney and Pixar’s environmentally-focused adventure film “Hoppers” claimed the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, generating $46 million in domestic ticket sales during its debut, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
The animated feature’s strong performance extended globally, adding another $42 million from international markets for a combined $88 million worldwide opening. This marks the strongest global launch for an original animated film since Pixar’s “Coco” debuted in 2017, signaling a potential return to form for the studio.
The success comes at a critical time for Disney and Pixar, which has struggled with original content in recent years. Last year’s “Elio” recorded Pixar’s worst opening ever, while the studio’s major successes have primarily come from sequels and established franchises. “Hoppers” outperformed 2023’s “Elemental,” which eventually developed into a sleeper hit after a modest opening.
Directed by Daniel Chong, “Hoppers” follows a 19-year-old environmentalist who infiltrates the animal world in a beaver’s body. The film features voice performances from Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, and Kathy Najimy, and carried a reported production budget of $150 million.
Critics and audiences have embraced the film, which earned a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 75% “definitely recommend” score in PostTrak polling, and an A CinemaScore. These strong metrics suggest the film could enjoy an extended theatrical run with positive word-of-mouth driving continued attendance.
“This is a fantastic original film from the incredible team at Pixar, and it’s wonderful to see audiences coming out with their friends and families to enjoy it together,” said Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, in a statement congratulating the filmmaking team on “a tremendous launch.”
In stark contrast, Warner Bros.’ “The Bride!” – Maggie Gyllenhaal’s R-rated reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein story – stumbled in its opening weekend. The film, starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, generated just $7.3 million from 3,304 domestic locations. With a production budget of approximately $80 million, not including marketing and promotional expenses, the film faces a steep climb toward profitability.
“The Bride!” encountered several challenges on its path to theaters, including reported post-test screening edits and a release date postponement from September. International markets offered little relief, contributing only $6.3 million for a global debut of $13.6 million.
Audience reception has been tepid, with the film receiving a C+ CinemaScore and only 43% of viewers saying they would “definitely recommend” it. Critics were similarly divided, resulting in a “rotten” 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Unfortunately, we came in light,” acknowledged Jeffrey Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ domestic distribution head. “We have a tailored approach to our slate, investing strategically in talent, IP and original storytelling. It spans genres and budget levels and allows us to back bold, distinctive filmmakers… and sometimes things just don’t work out.”
Despite this setback, Warner Bros. has reason for optimism with its other recent release, “Wuthering Heights,” which has surpassed $213 million globally. The studio is also expected to perform well at the upcoming Oscars with contenders “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” even as it faces an ownership transition under Paramount.
“We’re coming off an incredible run of nine No. 1 openings in a row, and in an increasingly ‘risk-averse’ business like ours, we believe the business is better served with studios taking bold swings on originals like this one,” Goldstein added. “Even the 1927 Yankees had 44 losses that season.”
Elsewhere at the box office, Paramount’s “Scream 7” secured second place with $17.3 million in its second weekend, though this represents a steep 73% drop from its opening. Its domestic total now stands at $93.4 million, with a global haul of $149.5 million.
Rounding out the top five were Sony’s “GOAT” with $6.6 million and “Wuthering Heights” with $3.8 million.
Industry analysts note the current box office landscape reflects a need for stronger new releases. “When there’s this many holdovers in the top 10, it says we haven’t had enough horsepower in the newcomers to really get things moving,” explained Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends. However, he anticipates the upcoming release of the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi adventure “Project Hail Mary” on March 20 could invigorate ticket sales.
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7 Comments
It’s good to see an original animated film like ‘Hoppers’ performing strongly. Pixar has had some hits and misses in recent years, so this could be a sign they’re getting back on track creatively. The environmental theme is timely and likely appeals to many viewers.
While it’s unfortunate to hear about the struggles of ‘The Bride!’, the strong performance of ‘Hoppers’ is a welcome development. Pixar’s ability to create engaging, original stories is a real strength, and this latest film seems to be tapping into that.
The struggles of ‘The Bride!’ are a bit disappointing, but not entirely surprising. The box office landscape remains highly competitive, especially for non-franchise films. Audiences seem more drawn to Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ and its engaging environmental storyline.
Interesting to see Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ doing so well at the box office. The environmental focus and unique premise seem to have resonated with audiences. I’m curious to see how the film holds up over time and if it can maintain its momentum.
It’s great to see an original animated film like ‘Hoppers’ resonating with audiences. Pixar has a strong track record, so it’s not surprising that their latest offering is performing well. The environmental focus is a timely and relevant choice.
Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ sounds like an intriguing film. I’m always interested in movies that tackle environmental themes in creative ways. The strong global opening is a good sign that the film has broad appeal. I’ll have to check it out.
The success of ‘Hoppers’ is a positive sign for the animation industry. With so much focus on sequels and established franchises, it’s encouraging to see an original Pixar film doing well. I’m curious to see if this momentum can continue in the weeks ahead.