LAIKA, the studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, today unveiled the highly anticipated teaser trailer for Wildwood, its upcoming stop-motion feature film directed by Travis Knight (Masters of the Universe, Kubo and the Two Strings) and written by Chris Butler (Masters of the Universe, Kubo and the Two Strings). Wildwood will open nationwide in theatres on October 23, 2026 via VVS Films.
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 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.
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.
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. 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 NYT bestselling novel by Susanna Clarke with a screenplay to be written by Dave Kajganich.
LAIKA’s Live Action subsidiary has a range of projects in development including a feature film based on the action thriller novel Seventeen by author John Brownlow. Captain Marvel filmmakers Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck will write and direct LAIKA’s live action adaptation of #1 New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel Atmosphere. Lulu Wang will direct and Wang and Martyna Martok will write the film version of Katie Kitamura’s bestselling novel Audition with Lucy Liu and Charles Melton attached to star, which LAIKA is producing alongside Higher Ground Productions. Brian Duffield (Spontaneous) will write and direct an original script Crumble with Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Project Hail Mary) producing and Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts is working on an original film project for the studio. On the television side, LAIKA recently optioned the upcoming book Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel and will produce the series alongside Emma Stone and Dave McCary’s Fruit Tree production company.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com