LAIKA Release Teaser Trailer for Travis Knight's Handcrafted Epic Fantasy Wildwood, in Theaters October 23
ENTERTAINMENT
LAIKA unveils its epic fantasy adventure "Wildwood" with its first trailer. The film hits theaters nationwide on October 23rd.
LAIKA, the studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, unveiled the highly anticipated teaser trailer for Wildwood, its upcoming stop-motion feature film directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler. Wildwood will open nationwide in theaters on October 23, 2026.
Source Material and Creative Team
Wildwood is based on the book written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis. Knight is producing alongside Sam Wilson. Fathom Entertainment, based in Denver, Colorado, will handle a wide theatrical release across the United States. FilmNation Entertainment will represent LAIKA's Wildwood across international territories.
The literary adaptation positions LAIKA within established young adult fantasy territory while maintaining the studio's commitment to handcrafted stop-motion animation that differentiates its work from computer-generated competitors. The Portland-adjacent setting creates geographic proximity between the studio's physical location and the story's fictional landscape.
Voice Cast and Talent Assembly
The voice cast includes Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Arthur Knight, Maya Erskine, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal, Rob Delaney, Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson, Len Cariou, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, with Honorary Academy Award recipient and Emmy Award winner Angela Bassett and Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali.
The ensemble combines established prestige performers including multiple Academy Award winners and nominees with contemporary young talent and character actors known for distinctive vocal work. The scale and depth of the cast reflects budget allocation toward talent acquisition typical of theatrical animated features competing for family audiences.
Story Synopsis and Narrative Framework
After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition.
As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover strength and belief she never knew she possessed. If she hopes to save her brother and protect Wildwood's fragile future, she will have to risk everything. From Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning LAIKA, Wildwood is a sweeping adventure about love, sacrifice, and the magic that reveals itself when we dare to look beyond the familiar.
The narrative structure follows established hero's journey conventions with female protagonist, reluctant companion, rescue motivation, escalating stakes, and internal character transformation paralleling external conflict resolution. The enchanted forest setting adjacent to recognizable real-world location creates portal fantasy framework familiar to young adult audiences.
Ticketing and Distribution Strategy
Tickets for Wildwood in the United States will be available later this summer at Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices where theater locations are subject to change. Fans can sign up now to be among the first notified when tickets go on sale.
The advance notification system creates early engagement opportunity while the Fathom Entertainment partnership provides nationwide theatrical distribution infrastructure typically challenging for independent animated features outside major studio systems. The October 23 release date positions the film ahead of holiday season competition while avoiding summer tentpole crowding.
About LAIKA
Founded in 2005 just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA has produced five animated films: Missing Link (2019), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), The Boxtrolls (2014), ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009). All were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Kubo and the Two Strings won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and received an additional Oscar nomination for Visual Effects. Missing Link was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film.
LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar in 2016 for its innovation in 3D printing. The studio maintains differentiation through stop-motion craft emphasis while competitors prioritize computer-generated animation, creating distinctive visual aesthetic and production methodology that supports brand recognition despite smaller release frequency compared to major animation studios.
Among animated films in development are The Night Gardener, from an original idea by Bill Dubuque, creator of the hit series Ozark, and Piranesi, based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Susanna Clarke with a screenplay to be written by Dave Kajganich.
About Fathom Entertainment
Fathom Entertainment operates as the leading global specialty distributor of content to movie theatres. For more than 20 years, Fathom Entertainment has pioneered theatrical distribution of events and special engagements across various genres and formats including feature films, episodic content, documentaries, concerts, and live events.
Fathom consistently ranks among the top 10 theatrical distributors in North America and distributes content to cinemas worldwide. Fathom Entertainment is owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc., and Regal Cineworld Group. Additional information is available at FathomEntertainment.com.
About FilmNation Entertainment
Academy Award-winning FilmNation Entertainment operates as a leading independent entertainment company that produces, finances, and distributes films, TV series, podcasts, and theater productions with global appeal. FilmNation productions include Sean Baker's Anora, which won five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actress, and Edward Berger's Academy Award-winning Conclave.
The company also produced award-winning box office hits Promising Young Woman, Arrival, and The Big Sick. Most recent TV releases include the Prime Video Original Series The House of the Spirits and Small Town, Big Story for Sky. The company's theater credits include 2024 Best Play Tony-winner Stereophonic.