7 months ago
Wildwood Gets October 2026 Release Date
Laika has announced that their new stop-motion movie, Wildwood, will be released in the U.S. on October 23, 2026.
The film is directed by Travis Knight and is based on a book by Colin Meloy.
It tells the story of a girl who goes on a big adventure to save her baby brother in a magical forest.
The movie has a star-studded cast including Carey Mulligan, Jacob Tremblay, and Mahershala Ali.
Laika has teamed up with Fathom Entertainment for the U.S. release and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales.
The movie is about bravery and discovering who you are.
Both Laika and Fathom are excited to bring this handcrafted film to theaters, just like old-fashioned movies that people used to love.
Wildwood, a stop-motion feature directed by Travis Knight, is set to release in the U.S. on October 23, 2026.
The film is based on Colin Meloy’s The Decemberists and follows a girl’s quest to save her baby brother in a magical forest.
Laika has partnered with Fathom Entertainment for domestic distribution and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales.
The star-studded cast includes Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, and more.
The film is described as Laika’s biggest and most personal project, celebrating handcrafted artistry and cinematic experiences.
- Who
- Laika, Fathom Entertainment, FilmNation Entertainment, Travis Knight, Chris Butler, Colin Meloy, and the cast including 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
- What
- The release of the stop-motion feature film Wildwood
- Where
- United States (domestic) and internationally
- When
- October 23, 2026
- Why
- To bring the film to audiences with a customized approach, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project
Key facts
- Release Date
- October 23, 2026
- Director
- Travis Knight
- Screenwriter
- Chris Butler
- Source Material
- Colin Meloy’s The Decemberists
- Domestic Distributor
- Fathom Entertainment
- International Sales
- FilmNation Entertainment
- Cast
- 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, Richard E. Grant
Quotes
Ray Nutt
Chief Executive Officer at Fathom Entertainment
“Wildwood is a magnificently ambitious stop motion film and a landmark achievement in handcrafted cinematic artistry — a project that means so much to both Laika and Fathom Entertainment. It’s a breathtaking, creative feat that will captivate audiences when it arrives on the big screen this October 23rd.”
deadline.com
“Fathom is elated to build on our past theatrical re-release successes with Laika, including Coraline and ParaNorman, and to be selected and entrusted as the distributor for a full, nationwide U.S. theatrical release of Wildwood consistent with that of the legacy Hollywood studios, complemented by the innovation Fathom brings to all its theatrical engagements. Distributing Wildwood to U.S. theatres further exemplifies Fathom Entertainment’s growth and evolution into a full-service specialty theatrical distributor.”
deadline.com
David Burke
Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Laika
“Wildwood is a testament to Laika walking its own path. For Wildwood, we’re taking a more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project. Partnering with Fathom’s Denver-based team brings national perspective and operational strength to the U.S. release, while working with FilmNation internationally positions the film with scale, reach, and deep expertise in global markets. It’s a strategy built specifically for Wildwood, preserving Laika’s independence while aligning with world-class collaborators to support the film’s ambition.”
deadline.com
Travis Knight
President and Chief Executive Officer of Laika and director of Wildwood
“Wildwood is the biggest world Laika has ever built, and the most personal. 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.”
deadline.com
