‘Wildwood’ teaser trailer unleashes LAIKA’s most ambitious fantasy epic yet.
The magic of stop-motion animation is about to return to the big screen in a major way.
LAIKA, the acclaimed studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link, has officially unveiled the first teaser trailer for Wildwood, its long-awaited fantasy adventure directed by Travis Knight. The film arrives exclusively in theaters on Oct. 23, 2026, and already looks like one of the most visually ambitious animated films of the year.
Based on the beloved novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, Wildwood blends dark fantasy, emotional storytelling, and handcrafted artistry into what appears to be another unforgettable cinematic experience from the Oregon-based studio.
The teaser immediately captures the eerie wonder that has become synonymous with LAIKA’s storytelling. Dense forests, shadowy creatures, talking animals, and haunting landscapes create a world that feels both magical and dangerous. At the center of it all is a young girl forced into an impossible journey.
A Journey Into the Unknown
The story follows Prue McKeel, a determined teenager whose life changes forever after her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows. Desperate to save him, Prue ventures into the Impassable Wilderness, a mysterious enchanted forest hidden beyond Portland, Oregon.
She is joined by her awkward but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg as they encounter bandits, talking creatures, powerful leaders, and dangerous forces threatening the fragile balance of Wildwood itself.
As the conflict deepens, Prue discovers courage and strength she never knew she had. However, the deeper she travels into Wildwood, the more she realizes saving her brother may require sacrificing everything.
The premise feels like classic fantasy adventure storytelling in the spirit of The NeverEnding Story, Coraline, and Princess Mononoke, while still carrying LAIKA’s signature emotional depth and haunting atmosphere.
Travis Knight Continues Building One of Animation’s Most Impressive Careers
Travis Knight has quietly become one of the most respected filmmakers working in modern animation and blockbuster filmmaking.
As the CEO and lead creative force behind LAIKA, Knight helped shape the studio into one of the most artistically daring animation houses in Hollywood. His directorial breakthrough came with Kubo and the Two Strings, the Oscar-nominated fantasy epic praised for its breathtaking stop-motion craftsmanship, emotional storytelling, and bold visual ambition.
Outside animation, Knight successfully jumped into live-action filmmaking with Bumblebee, widely considered one of the strongest films in the Transformers franchise thanks to its heart, character-driven storytelling, and Spielberg-inspired adventure tone.
Knight is also attached to the upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe, making Wildwood another major chapter in an already fascinating career balancing nostalgia, fantasy, and emotionally grounded storytelling.
With Wildwood, Knight appears to be returning fully to the handcrafted artistry that made Kubo and the Two Strings such a landmark achievement.
An All-Star Voice Cast Powers the Fantasy Epic
The film features an enormous ensemble voice cast loaded with acclaimed actors and fan-favorite performers from across film and television.
Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan, known for Promising Young Woman, Drive, and Maestro, joins the cast alongside Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who broke out in Disney’s Andi Mack before leading Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.
Jacob Tremblay continues adding major animated and dramatic projects to his résumé following standout performances in Room, Luca, and The Little Mermaid. Richard E. Grant, beloved for Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Loki, and Withnail and I, also lends his unmistakable voice to the film.
Awkwafina brings her energetic personality after memorable roles in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and The Farewell, while Amandla Stenberg continues building an impressive fantasy and sci-fi résumé following The Hunger Games and The Acolyte.
The cast also includes legendary musician and actor Tom Waits, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Charlie Day, Emmy and Tony-winning actress Blythe Danner, Pen15 co-creator Maya Erskine, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse star Jake Johnson, comedian Rob Delaney, and What We Do in the Shadows scene-stealer Jemaine Clement.
Adding even more prestige to the ensemble are Angela Bassett, whose commanding performances in Black Panther and What’s Love Got to Do With It have made her one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses, and Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, known for Moonlight, Green Book, and True Detective.
That combination of dramatic performers, comedic talent, and genre veterans gives Wildwood the kind of voice cast capable of elevating fantasy storytelling into something emotionally rich and unforgettable.
LAIKA’s Handcrafted Magic Still Feels Special
In an era dominated by photorealistic CGI animation, LAIKA’s handcrafted stop-motion style continues to stand apart.
Every frame carries texture, personality, and human artistry. You can feel the work behind each movement, expression, and environment. That tactile quality gives LAIKA films an emotional intimacy many modern animated productions struggle to replicate.
The teaser for Wildwood showcases massive environments, intricate creature designs, and atmospheric lighting that suggest the studio may be pushing its technical capabilities further than ever before.
For longtime animation fans, that alone makes Wildwood one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of 2026 from Fathom Entertainment.
Film Details
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Director: Travis Knight
Writer: Chris Butler
Based On: Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Voice Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, 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, with Angela Bassett and Mahershala Ali
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
