Stop-motion fans have waited a long time for this one. Welcome to Ultimate Fandom, where we break down the biggest fantasy and animation releases so you never miss a detail. Today we’re looking at Wildwood, the new stop-motion epic from Laika, the studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, and Kubo and the Two Strings. The film has been in development for more than a decade, and it’s finally close to arriving. Here is everything we know so far.
Watch this Movie Trailer Below:
What Is Wildwood About
Wildwood is based on the 2011 children’s novel by Colin Meloy, the frontman of The Decemberists, with illustrations by his wife, Carson Ellis. The story follows Prue McKeel, a teenager from Portland, Oregon. Her baby brother, Mac, is snatched away by a murder of crows and carried into a hidden forest just beyond the city limits.
That forest is the Wildwood, a place you’re not supposed to enter or even know exists. Prue teams up with her classmate Curtis and follows the crows into a world of talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with dark intentions. Prue may think she’s too old for fairy tales, but she has landed at the center of one.
The official description promises a high-stakes journey where the fate of an entire hidden realm hangs in the balance. Along the way, the pair learn of a coming war and meet a mysterious woman who has lost a son of her own.
Release Date
After years of shifting timelines, Laika has locked in a fall 2026 debut. The film opens in United States theaters on October 23, 2026, through a distribution partnership with Fathom Entertainment. Reports also list an earlier showing at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2026.
The date matters because Wildwood is Laika’s sixth feature, and the studio hasn’t released a new film since Missing Link in 2019. Here at Ultimate Fandom, we think that long gap makes this release feel like an event rather than just another animated movie.
The Voice Cast
Laika assembled a huge ensemble, and the names alone are reason to be excited. Peyton Elizabeth Lee voices Prue, and Jacob Tremblay plays Curtis. Carey Mulligan and Mahershala Ali headline the wider cast, with Mulligan listed as Alexandra and Ali as Brenden.
The supporting lineup is just as strong:
- Awkwafina
- Angela Bassett
- Jake Johnson
- Charlie Day
- Amandla Stenberg
- Jemaine Clement
- Maya Erskine
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Tom Waits
- Richard E. Grant
It’s a mix of dramatic heavyweights, comedy favorites, and distinctive voices. That variety suits a story full of eccentric forest creatures, and casting Tom Waits in a fairy-tale world is the kind of choice that feels right the moment you hear it.
The Team Behind the Camera
Travis Knight, Laika’s president and CEO, directs the film. Knight previously directed Kubo and the Two Strings and the live-action hit Bumblebee. He also co-produces, and the script is by Chris Butler, who wrote ParaNorman and co-wrote Missing Link.
Other listed creatives include composer Dario Marianelli, known for his lush, emotional scores, and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, an unusual and exciting pairing for an animated feature. Laika has described the project as the biggest world it has ever built, and Knight has called it the most personal too. In his words, the film is about the pull of the unknown and the courage it takes to step into it.
The Teaser Trailer
Laika unveiled its first teaser at the Cannes Film Festival, and the response was enthusiastic. The footage follows Prue and Curtis into the Wilderness to rescue Mac, and it’s set to an M83 song. Even in a short preview, the handcrafted quality stands out, from the textured fur and foliage to the moody lighting.
That texture is the whole point of Laika’s approach. Every frame is built by hand, with physical puppets, sets, and props photographed one movement at a time. The studio has framed the movie as a celebration of artistry over algorithms, and the teaser backs that up.
How Faithful Will It Be to the Book?
The novel is dense and imaginative, with a large cast, political intrigue, and a sprawling map of forest territories. Fitting all of that into one film is a big challenge. The reported runtime of about 132 minutes suggests Laika wants room to develop the world rather than rush through it.
Fans of the book should expect the core story to remain: the kidnapped brother, the two young heroes, and the hidden magical realm. Some adjustments are almost certain in any adaptation this size. If you loved Carson Ellis’s illustrations, you’ll likely appreciate how the visual design honors her folk-tale style.
Why Wildwood Matters
Big-budget stop-motion is rare. Laika’s films are critical favorites, but they take years to make, and the studio has had commercial ups and downs. Wildwood is its most ambitious swing yet, so its performance could shape how much room hand-crafted animation gets in theaters. For viewers who want something different from the usual computer-animated fare, it may be one of the most anticipated family fantasy films of the year.
FAQs
- When does Wildwood come out?
The film opens in U.S. theaters on October 23, 2026, with an earlier BFI London Film Festival screening reported for October 11, 2026.
- Who is directing Wildwood?
Travis Knight, Laika’s president and CEO, directs from a screenplay by Chris Butler.
- Is Wildwood based on a book?
Yes. It adapts Colin Meloy’s 2011 novel of the same name, illustrated by Carson Ellis.
- Who is in the cast?
Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Jacob Tremblay lead as Prue and Curtis, alongside Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, and more.
- Is there a trailer yet?
Yes. Laika released a teaser at Cannes, and more footage will likely follow as the release nears. Keep an eye on Ultimate Fandom for updates when new trailers drop.
