Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ becomes first mainstream Western animated film rated PG-13
Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ is the first mainstream Western animated film rated PG-13, a rating usually associated with films aimed at older children and adults.
The stop-motion fantasy, directed by Travis Knight, follows a girl searching for her kidnapped baby brother and opens in theaters this weekend.
The Motion Picture Association cited fantasy violence and bloody images, themes of suicide, brief partial nudity and language.
Mainstream Western animation has mostly been made for family audiences, with major studios often avoiding content that might limit a film’s reach.
Some other animated films have reportedly trimmed material to avoid the same rating.
The rating challenges the idea that animation is mainly for children, while animated films for varied audiences are more established in countries such as Japan.
The sources describe ‘Wildwood’ as a possible test of whether studios will take more risks with animated stories for older audiences, but they do not say what studios will do next.
Laika’s Wildwood is the first mainstream Western animated film to receive a PG-13 rating.
The Motion Picture Association cited strong fantasy violence and bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language.
The stop-motion fantasy is based on a book series by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis and was directed by Laika chief Travis Knight.
Wildwood is 130 minutes long, tying the record for the longest English-language animated film, according to Variety.
Laika says it did not set out to make the film for a particular rating, while the articles describe major studios as wary of ratings that could limit an animated film’s audience.
- Who
- Laika, the Portland-based animation studio, made Wildwood. Travis Knight directed it.
- What
- Wildwood became the first mainstream Western animated film rated PG-13.
- When
- The articles were published Oct. 22 and Oct. 23, 2026. TheWrap said the film would open in theaters that weekend.
- Where
- The film is a Western animated production by Laika, based in Portland, Oregon.
- Why
- The MPA cited strong fantasy violence and bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language.
Laika
Major studios wary of limiting an animated film’s audience
Approach to animation
Laika
Laika says it pursued the story without a particular rating in mind.
Major studios wary of limiting an animated film’s audience
The articles say major studios often shape animated films for younger audiences to avoid risking a narrower theatrical reach.
Audience and content
Laika
Laika argues animated films can be emotionally complex and narratively sophisticated.
Major studios wary of limiting an animated film’s audience
The articles describe mainstream Western animation as typically rated G or PG, with R-rated titles more often being adult comedies or dramas.
Variety reported that the MPA had given Wildwood a PG-13 rating.
TheWrap described Wildwood as the first mainstream Western animated movie rated PG-13.
TheWrap said Wildwood was opening in theaters.
- Rating
- PG-13
- Director
- Travis Knight
- Studio
- Laika
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
- Book series authors
- Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis
- MPA rating reasons
- Strong fantasy violence and bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language
3 sources
Wildwood Director Travis Knight Defends The Movie's Violence, Says Film Is 'Appropriately Rated' [Exclusive]
Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Braves the PG-13 Rating. When Will Other Animated Films Follow Suit? | Analysis
Laika’s First PG-13 Film, Brad Bird’s Neo-Noir and an Alzheimer’s Memoir: Animation’s Revolution Isn’t for Kids
What people are saying
Animation is a medium, not a genre, and certainly not an age category
We didn’t approach ‘Wildwood’ with a particular rating in mind. We approached it with a commitment to telling the story as fully and honestly as possible.
strong fantasy violence/bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language