March Animation Preview: Hoppers, Marcel Pagnol, and the trauma of losing a child

March usually comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but this year, it's coming in like a beaver and going out like a legendary film director? Sure, why not.

In Theaters

One of my most anticipated movies of the year is the latest from Pixar. The studio tends to be at their best when they're making original movies rather than delivering sequels, and Hoppers, which hits theaters on March 6, looks like an electrifyingly off-kilter piece of work. The film follows a teenager who uses a newly-developed technology to "hop" into the body of a robotic beaver, allowing her to communicate with the entire animal kingdom. She ends up joining the fight against a local logging company and inspiring an animal uprising against humans. This looks funny, strange, and super original -- basically, everything I want from a movie!

Hoppers

Also on March 6, last year's record-breaking Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -- The Movie: Infinity Castle returns to theaters. If you missed the epic masterpiece on the big screen last year, I can't recommend it enough. It was one of my favorite movies of 2025, and Crunchyroll has indicated that it isn't going to be streaming anytime soon.

On March 13, GKIDS is bringing Kiki's Delivery Service to IMAX screens, like they did with Princess Mononoke last year. It seems like this might be a new trend for the studio, and I don't hate it! I have to imagine Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle might be prime candidates for the IMAX treatment next...

Mars, the animated brainchild of the Whitest Kids U' Know, makes its proper theatrical debut on March 13 after touring around the country. I loved this movie -- it's scrappy, weird, and hysterically funny -- about a group of civilians chosen to accompany a billionaire on his vanity mission to Mars. It's also the final WKUK project, as one of the group's founding members, Trevor Moore, sadly passed away in 2021. 

Viva Kids might have their first breakout hit on their hands (or in their fins) with The Pout-Pout Fish, which comes to theaters on March 20. I know I'm kind of always predicting Viva will make a splash (I thought Hitpig! and Night of the Zoopocalypse were both prime contenders), but The Pout-Pout Fish has been advertising at a level I haven't seen with other Viva movies. The film is based on a children's book, and follows a grumpy fish (voiced by the wonderful Nick Offerman) who reluctantly teams up with a very perky sea dragon on a quest to save their homes. 

The Pout-Pout Fish

A cute-looking musical called The Land of Sometimes makes its way to theaters on March 20. Featuring a starry voice cast including Helena Bonham Carter, Ewan McGregor, and Mel Brooks, the film seems like it's maybe playing in the same realm as In Your Dreams. It follows twins Alfie and Elise, who find a magical watch that transports them to a fantastical land where they learn about the price of wishes.

The Land of Sometimes

Sony Pictures Classics brings A Magnificent Life, from the legendary Sylvain Chomet, to theaters on March 27. I saw this one at AFI FEST last year, and found it to be quite underwhelming, especially compared to Chomet's earlier ventures into animation. The film chronicles the life and career of Marcel Pagnol, who was a sort of artistic jack-of-all-trades, making a name for himself across literature, theater, and, of course, film. While the movie is lovely to look at, it plays like a pretty by-the-numbers biopic without much perspective on its subject. Your results may vary.

A Magnificent Life

At Home

On March 6, Tafiti: Across the Desert makes its digital debut. The film follows a meerkat and a bush pig who must venture (you guessed it) across the desert to find a magical flower with healing powers. It's a cute movie that will likely play best with younger viewers, and it'll hopefully find a bigger audience now that it will be available to watch at home. You can read my review here.

In addition to making its theatrical debut, Mars is also getting a Blu-ray release on March 10. Physical media matters! And it's very cool that there's a way to add this great movie to your collection.

March 10 is also the day you can add Little Amélie or the Character of Rain to your Blu-ray collection, courtesy of GKIDS.

Versa, a short film about dealing with the trauma of losing a child, set against the backdrop of the cosmos, debuts on Disney+ on March 27. The Mouse House didn't manage to get this one to really stick this awards season, and I didn't particularly care for it, but it is certainly beautiful to look at, and I imagine it'll resonate a lot with some people. It's certainly worth a look.

Versa

Festivals

The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYCIFF) continues through the first half of March, with lots of great animated offerings (and live-action ones, too!). I'll have a review of My Life in Versailles up after it makes its US premiere at the fest, so keep an eye out for that soon. You can learn more here.