David and I love attending movies for Date Nights and Family Fun with Charlie and the other day we saw the Trailer for LAIKA’s Wildwood which brings a handcrafted Fantasy Adventure to Theaters October 23 this would have been a fun movie when Charlie was #Homeschooling but its also a movie my family and I can’t wait to see.
For some families movies give families a chance to sit down together, step away from everyday responsibilities, and get lost in a story. When that story combines fantasy, adventure, and the incredible artistry of stop-motion animation, it gives us something a little different to look forward to and I believe that is what this movie will do.
LAIKA and Fathom Entertainment have announced that Wildwood, the new fantasy adventure directed by Travis Knight, will arrive in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026. Families who want an early look can also find special Fan First premium-format screenings scheduled for Monday, October 19, at participating theaters.
According to the announcement from LAIKA and Fathom Entertainment, Wildwood received an enthusiastic response following its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. The film currently holds a 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its visual artistry, ambitious storytelling, and stop-motion craftsmanship.
A Journey Into an Enchanted Forest– Inspired by the acclaimed novel written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, Wildwood follows Prue McKeel, a determined teenager whose baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows.
Prue sets out on a rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Along the way, she is joined by her classmate Curtis as they encounter talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures whose choices threaten the balance of the forest. The adventure challenges Prue to save her brother while facing a world filled with grief, ambition, danger, and unexpected discoveries.
One of the things that makes LAIKA’s films distinctive is the studio’s dedication to handcrafted animation. Instead of relying entirely on computer-generated characters and environments, stop-motion filmmakers physically create their characters, settings, and intricate details, then animate them frame by frame.
That process brings a tangible quality to fantasy worlds and requires tremendous patience and artistry from the people behind the camera. LAIKA is known for films including Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link. Each of those five films received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Wildwood continues the studio’s work creating imaginative worlds for audiences to explore.
The film features Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel and Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg. The voice cast also includes Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant. With its adventurous story, unusual setting, and richly imagined characters, Wildwood offers moviegoers another original fantasy to discover on the big screen.
Special Fan First premium-format screenings are scheduled for October 19 at more than 100 participating theaters nationwide, subject to local availability. These screenings will include a prerecorded welcome from director Travis Knight. The nationwide theatrical release follows on Friday, October 23. Select premium experiences, including 4DX, D-BOX, and Dolby Cinema, are also planned where available. Families can check participating theaters, showtimes, and ticket availability at WildwoodMovie.com. The film’s official trailer is available here on YouTube.
As someone who appreciates family entertainment and the experiences that bring people together, I love seeing original stories make their way to the big screen. Wildwood also offers an opportunity to appreciate the time, creativity, and craftsmanship that go into bringing an animated fantasy to life.
We look forward to seeing what audiences think when Wildwood arrives in theaters October 23.
Source: Announcement from LAIKA and Fathom Entertainment. For more information, visit WildwoodMovie.com.
GreatfulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
