Laika Studios has announced that its upcoming stop-motion animated feature Wildwood will hit U.S. theaters on October 23, 2026, distributed domestically by Fathom Entertainment and handled internationally by FilmNation Entertainment. Directed by Travis Knight, the film adapts Colin Meloy's novels into a fantasy tale of a girl's quest to rescue her brother in a enchanted forest. The announcement includes a teaser trailer and highlights the film's handcrafted artistry.
Laika, renowned for stop-motion classics like Coraline and ParaNorman, revealed details about Wildwood on January 20, 2026, marking its first major release since Missing Link in 2019. The film, directed by Laika's president and CEO Travis Knight from a script by Chris Butler, follows a girl's high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest teeming with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies, and adversaries to save her baby brother and a hidden realm.
Unlike previous releases distributed by Focus Features, Wildwood partners with Fathom Entertainment for a nationwide U.S. theatrical rollout. Fathom, known for re-releases of Laika's Coraline and a remastered ParaNorman, aims to deliver a 'full, nationwide U.S. theatrical release consistent with that of the legacy Hollywood studios,' according to CEO Ray Nutt. He described the film as 'a magnificently ambitious stop-motion film and a landmark achievement in handcrafted cinematic artistry.'
David Burke, Laika's Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, emphasized a 'more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project.' Travis Knight added, 'Wildwood is the biggest world Laika has ever built, and the most personal... a celebration of artistry over algorithms.' Producer Sam Wilson noted it as 'a love letter to Portland.'
The voice cast boasts talents including Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant. A teaser trailer was released alongside the announcement, teasing a culmination of Laika's signature style. Fans can sign up for ticket alerts on Fathom's site, with sales expected in summer 2026.
