Seven years after “Missing Link,” LAIKA is finally returning to theaters. The stop-motion studio has unveiled the teaser trailer for “Wildwood,” an expansive fantasy adventure about two teenagers who venture into a forbidden forest populated by talking animals, bandits, and dangerous forces fighting for control of a hidden world.
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Directed and produced by Travis Knight (“Kubo and the Two Strings,” “Masters of the Universe”) and written by Chris Butler (“ParaNorman,” “Kubo and the Two Strings”), “Wildwood” is based on the 2011 novel written by Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis. Knight produces alongside Sam Wilson, with Fathom Entertainment handling the film’s wide U.S. theatrical release and FilmNation Entertainment representing it internationally.
The story follows Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a headstrong teenager whose baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows. Determined to rescue him, Prue crosses into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest concealed just beyond Portland, Oregon.
She is joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), and the pair quickly finds themselves navigating a conflict that threatens the forest’s fragile balance. Saving Prue’s brother means confronting talking animals, powerful adversaries, and figures whose grief and ambition could destroy Wildwood altogether.
The enormous voice ensemble also includes Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Arthur Knight, Maya Erskine, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal, Rob Delaney, Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson, Len Cariou, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Angela Bassett, and Mahershala Ali.
“Wildwood” marks LAIKA’s sixth animated feature following “Coraline,” “ParaNorman,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Kubo and the Two Strings,” and “Missing Link.” Each of the studio’s previous films received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, while “Kubo” also earned a rare Visual Effects nomination.
“Wildwood” opens in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026. Watch the trailer below.
