Laika unveils full trailer for stop-motion epic Wildwood
The film, directed by Travis Knight, is set to open in theatres on 23 October 2026 and features a voice cast including Carey Mulligan and Mahershala Ali.
Laika Studios has released the full trailer for Wildwood, a stop-motion animated fantasy film directed by Travis Knight. The promotional material, which features a cover of Avicii’s “Wake Me Up”, promotes the film’s theatrical release scheduled for 23 October 2026. The project marks a significant milestone for the studio, which has described the production as its most ambitious to date.
Based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, the story follows 12-year-old Prue McKee, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee. After a murder of crows carries away her baby brother, Mac, Prue enters a magical forest to rescue him. She is joined by her schoolmate Curtis Mehlberg, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, as they navigate a hidden world populated by talking animals and lurking threats.
The narrative draws inspiration from Forest Park in Portland, Oregon, where the authors live. In the film, this local landmark is transformed into a dangerous hidden world accessible only to specific individuals. The pair encounters a mysterious woman named Alexandra, voiced by Carey Mulligan, who has lost her son, along with various other characters including coyotes and bandits.
Production details highlight the scale of the undertaking, requiring 136 sets and 231 practical puppets, augmented with visual effects. Knight has stated that the team had to develop new creative tools and technology to do the source material justice, particularly for the pitched battles and aerial sequences included in the film.
The voice cast is extensive, featuring Angela Bassett as a giant golden eagle, Mahershala Ali as Brendan the Bandit King, and Awkwafina as a rat named Septima. Other notable voices include Tom Waits, Richard E. Grant, and Jemaine Clement. Rob Delaney, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, and Blythe Danner are also credited with as-yet-undisclosed roles.
Prior to the full trailer release, an extended teaser released in May accumulated over 90 million views. A behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the film was also highlighted in June. The film is set to open in theatres on 23 October 2026.
