Wildwood Review: Laika’s Biggest Stop-Motion Adventure Yet

Laika has always made movies by hand. Every puppet, forest, and flying creature in Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings was built and moved one frame at a time. Wildwood pushes that idea further than the studio ever has.

Directed by Travis Knight, Wildwood is a stop-motion fantasy adventure based on Colin Meloy’s 2011 novel. It opens in US theaters on October 23, 2026. Here’s our review.

Story: A Girl, a Baby, and a Forest Full of Secrets

Prue McKeel (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is a teenager living near Portland, Oregon. Just past the edge of the city lies the Impassable Wilderness, a huge forest that locals avoid. The film’s version is based on Portland’s Forest Park.

When a flock of crows carries off her baby brother Mac, Prue has no choice. She and her classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay) head into the woods to get him back.

Inside, they discover Wildwood, a hidden world full of talking animals and rival groups. At the center of the trouble is the Dowager Governess, Alexandra (Carey Mulligan). She once ruled the land kindly. After her son died, grief turned her bitter, and she began using dark magic and an army of coyotes. Mac’s fate rests in her hands.

The film adapts Colin Meloy’s 2011 children’s novel. Chris Butler, who wrote ParaNorman and Missing Link, wrote the screenplay.

The Voice Cast Brings the Forest to Life

The cast is huge. Lee voices Prue, and Tremblay plays Curtis. Mulligan gives the villain real weight. Critics describe her Alexandra as dangerous, but also sad and guilty.

Angela Bassett voices the General, a giant golden eagle who helps Prue. Tom Waits plays a menacing coyote. Awkwafina voices a rat named Septima, and Jake Johnson plays Prue’s dad. Mahershala Ali, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Maya Erskine, and Richard E. Grant also join the ensemble.

Why the Stop-Motion Is the Main Event

If there’s one thing nearly every critic agrees on, it’s the craft. Reviews call Wildwood Laika’s biggest and most ambitious film. Several use words like “staggering” and “masterpiece.”

Scale is the point. The film’s golden eagle has every feather built by hand. A giant holy tree changes seasons in seconds. The forest has so much tangled detail that you can spend the whole film looking at the edges of the frame.

Inverse notes that the handmade look is part of the charm. Prue’s stiff mop of hair reminds you that she’s a real puppet. And when she soars on the eagle’s back, the lighting feels almost impossible for stop-motion.

Where Critics Agree and Disagree

Most reviews are glowing. Variety calls it a richly textured fairytale epic. The Hollywood Reporter calls it both a technical and emotional triumph and suggests it may be Laika’s masterpiece. Screen Daily praises its staggering spectacle. Other critics rate it 4 or 5 out of 5, and one calls it the finest animated film of the year.

Not everyone is fully convinced. IndieWire’s review admires the film as an eye-popping celebration of what makes Laika special. But it argues the film lacks the magic of the studio’s best work, and that it survives mostly on its sense of wonder. Variety also notes that the story has familiar fairytale pieces, even if the spectacle makes them feel fresh.

So the split is simple. Almost everyone loves how it looks. The question is whether the story and emotion match the artistry.

Is Wildwood Too Dark for Kids?

The film is rated PG-13, and it runs about 2 hours and 10 minutes. That’s a long sitting for younger children. Reviews describe a story with a grieving villain, war between animals, and dark themes about loss.

So this isn’t a gentle bedtime movie. It looks best for older kids, teens, and adults who love fantasy. Parents of very young children may want to check the rating details first.

Who Should Watch It

Wildwood suits fans of Laika’s earlier films, lovers of stop-motion, and anyone who enjoys big fantasy adventures like The Chronicles of Narnia or Over the Garden Wall. It’s also a great pick if you want to see something made with real craft, not just computer animation.

If you want a light, funny kids’ movie, this may feel heavier than you expect.

The Verdict

Wildwood is a gorgeous, ambitious fairytale that shows what stop-motion can do. It may not be flawless, but its scale and artistry are hard to ignore, and most critics call it a major achievement. If you like animation, it’s worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find.

Rating: 4.5/5

Watch the Trailer

Quick Facts

• Title: Wildwood
• Director: Travis Knight
• Writer: Chris Butler, based on Colin Meloy’s novel
• Studio: Laika
• Genre: Stop-Motion Animated Fantasy
• Runtime: About 2h 10m (sources list 130-132 minutes)
• Rated: PG-13
• Voice cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Tom Waits, Richard E. Grant
• Distributor: Fathom Entertainment
• Premiere: BFI London Film Festival 2026
• Release date: October 23, 2026 (US theaters)

Where to Watch

Wildwood opens in US theaters on October 23, 2026, through Fathom Entertainment.

Are you excited for “Wildwood”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.