Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Silly animated/live-action holiday comedy is fun for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hop
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 65 parent reviews
Based on 89 kid reviews
Kids say this movie has a mix of humorous and inappropriate elements, leaving some parents concerned about its suitability for younger audiences. While many find it enjoyable for family viewing, particularly during Easter, others criticize it for featuring questionable references and a lack of engaging content, often labeling the humor as boring or targeted at older demographics.
- fun for families
- mixed reviews
- inappropriate elements
- targeted humor
- audience suitability
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The Easter Bunny (voiced by Hugh Laurie) lives on Easter Island, preparing for another year's trip around the world to deliver baskets full of treats. He's preparing his son, E.B. (Russell Brand), to succeed him, but E.B. isn't interested in taking over for his father -- he wants to be a drummer. Afraid of his father's expectations, E.B. takes a rabbit hole trip to Hollywood, where he hopes to make it big as a rock musician. Instead, he almost gets run over by Fred (James Marsden), an aimless twentysomething whose parents would really like him to move out and get a job. Fred can't believe his eyes (and ears) when E.B. starts talking to him, and the two of them end up becoming unlikely friends who help each other save Easter -- and their goals for a fulfilling career.
Is It Any Good?
HOP is nothing more than a generic holiday movie with a bunny swapped in for good ol' St. Nick. Director Tim Hill is a kids' flick veteran, and, after Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties and Alvin and the Chipmunks, somewhat of an "expert" at comedies that feature both live-action and computer-animated creatures. It's a shame that most movies that attempt that form of hybridization (Yogi Bear, Marmaduke) are just plain awful, but in a way Hop benefits from the low expectations that adult moviegoers will have for this subgenre of family films. It's unquestionably better than the atrocious Yogi and passably better than Marmaduke, but that's still not saying much.
Marsden is a talented, appealing actor. He's one of those dashing-looking types who's best known for supporting roles (Enchanted, X-Men, Hairspray) and can pull off most characters with his easy charm. So it's a tad ludicrous that he was cast as Fred, since the 37-year-old in no way looks like an early-to-mid-20s slacker, and the role would have been more believable in the hands of a lovable loser-style comedian. His miscasting aside, the movie manages to be amusing enough thanks to Marsden's rapport with Brand, who raises his voice to sound a bit younger as the rock-loving adolescent bunny. Special mention must go the voice-talent genius of Hank Azaria, who plays Carlos the Chick, the Easter Bunny's candy-factory foreman who wants to usurp E.B. as the next Easter Bunny. Azaria makes Carlos the scene-stealer of this lighthearted jellybean of a comedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's messages. Why is it important to pursue your dreams? What if you don't succeed?
What does the movie say about father-son relationships? Do you think parents should support their kids' job choices and dreams no matter what? Which father did a better job of understanding his son's goals, E.B.'s or Fred's?
For viewers who celebrate Easter, how do the movie's themes compare with your family's ideas and traditions surrounding the holiday?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 1, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : March 20, 2012
- Cast : Hank Azaria , James Marsden , Kaley Cuoco , Russell Brand
- Director : Tim Hill
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild rude humor
- Last updated : December 9, 2025
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