Hoppers Box Office Opening Estimates Are Up to $50k But Elio Also Had High Estimates Before Release

Disney is starting to push Pixar’s upcoming “Hoppers” movie, releasing on March 6. So far, there isn’t much buzz about the film other than the occasional article or ad. It is concerning because we saw a similar trend with “Elio”.

What is the Box Office Estimate for “Hoppers”

Currently, the estimate is a wide range of $35-$50 million for the opening weekend. This isn’t a great opening weekend amount, but for an animated film, it isn’t terrible.

Then what is the problem?

Based on the marketing and “demand” seeming to be simliar to “Elio”, box office turn out might be a lot less.

“Elio” had original opening weekend domestic estimates of $35 – $45 million from all the same media outlets saying “Hoppers” is going to hit $38-$50 million.  Except when “Elio” actually released to theaters it made $21 million.  The lowest opening of any Pixar film.

Globally it did to $35 million at opening. “Elio” went on to do only $154 million world-wide for its run. That isn’t good. The film cost $150 million before theatrical cuts, marketing, etc.

Unless Disney ramps up the marketing and we start seeing demand for “Hoppers” we could have another film coming in well below expectations. It might do better than “Elio” though.

Does this mean “Hoppers” will also do poorly?

No. Not necessarily. I think overall this film has more interest than “Elio” but it’s not one of the most talked about films for 2026 and a lot of people may just skip it and wait for it to come to Disney+.  I’m already seeing comments saying this.

People seem to be much more excited about the upcoming “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” coming on April 1.

Maybe we will be surprised and both films will do well.

Here is the trailer for “Hoppers” in case you didn’t know what it was.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!