Laika's Epic Fantasy 'Wildwood' Gets October 2026 Release Date

Laika Studios' latest stop-motion animated movie, Wildwood, has been a long time coming. A really long time coming — close to 15 years in fact. But now, following a pair of tantalising behind-the-scenes teasers showing off a movie that director and Laika CEO Travis Knight (Kubo & The Two Strings) hails his studio's "hardest" film to make yet, today has brought with it news of when cinemagoers — at least in the US — can finally expect to head into the woods and experience Wildwood on the big screen: 23 October, 2026. Per a press release sent out by Laika today, the Portland based studio behind the likes of Coraline and ParaNorman has partnered with Fathom Entertainment to bring Knight's adaptation of Colin Meloy's YA fantasy book(s) to cinemas stateside. Internationally, FilmNation Entertainment has come aboard to launch sales of the film — whose all-star ensemble includes *deep breath* 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 — globally next month, presumably (hopefully) with an eye on having the movie hit cinemas this side of the pond before the year is through. “Wildwood is the biggest world Laika has ever built, and the most personal,” said Knight, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laika and director of Wildwood, in a statement accompanying today's announcement. “It’s a story about the pull of the unknown, the courage it takes to step into it, and who you become along the way. Our movie is a celebration of artistry over algorithms, and of the belief that films made by hand, with enormous care, can still feel bold, surprising, dangerous, and alive. We designed Wildwood to be seen the way movies first captured our imaginations: discovered in the dark, on a big screen, with a room full of fellow dreamers experiencing joy, silence, and wonder together. Partnering with Fathom and FilmNation means Wildwood will arrive with intention - as a true cinematic event meant to be shared.” Described by Knight to Empire as a sort-of "American Narnia", Wildwood — per Laika's own synopsis — tells an ambitious tale wherein "a girl’s desperate quest to save her baby brother becomes a high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest filled with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies, and formidable adversaries, where an entire hidden realm hangs in the balance." Forbidden forest? Enchanted creatures? High-stakes journey? Count us in! We'll meet you where the wild(wood) things are down at the cinema later this year...