LAIKA's 'Wildwood': A Dark Stop-Motion Epic Set to Dazzle Theaters This October
August 19, 2026
Wildwood, LAIKA’s forthcoming stop-motion epic directed by Travis Knight and adapted from Colin Meloy’s book, is set for a October 23 theatrical release with LAIKA’s signature handcrafted animation and a voice cast led by Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, and Charlie Day.
The trailer and visuals showcase the Impassable Wilderness as a technical marvel, featuring vast forest landscapes and epic animal battles that emphasize stop-motion artistry.
The story follows Prue and her classmate Curtis as they venture into a magical forest near Portland to rescue Prue’s baby brother, confronting Alexandra’s dark rule and a wolf army along the way.
Prue is voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Curtis by Jacob Tremblay, with a supporting ensemble that expands Wildwood’s world-building and tone, drawing comparisons to Labyrinth and other fairy-tale fantasies.
Laika positions Wildwood as its most ambitious, expansive project to date, pushing new tools and storytelling approaches for large-scale battles and aerial sequences.
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The film’s tone and visuals invite fans of Labyrinth and Guillermo del Toro-style fantasy, with a robust supporting cast enriching the world.
The voice cast also includes Jake Johnson and Jemaine Clement alongside the previously noted actors, underscoring LAIKA’s ongoing collaboration with Knight and Butler.
Chris Butler wrote the script for Wildwood, which continues LAIKA’s acclaimed storytelling lineage alongside Coraline, ParaNorman, and Kubo and the Two Strings.
The core journey centers on Prue and Curtis as they navigate talking animals, bandits, and grief-driven power struggles threatening the forest’s balance.
Mahershala Ali voices Brendan the Bandit King, with a cast that extends to Awkwafina, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, and others in a pivotal ensemble.
Summary based on 10 sources
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Mashable • Aug 19, 2026
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