There is something extraordinary about stepping into a world that seems to exist just beyond our own.
A world where the trees hide ancient secrets, animals have stories to tell and the most unexpected adventures can begin in places we would never think to look.
For generations, fantasy stories have invited us to explore these mysterious places, often following unlikely heroes who discover that the world is far larger, stranger and more wonderful than they ever imagined.
And when it comes to bringing those imaginative worlds to life through animation, few studios have developed quite the reputation of LAIKA.
From the hauntingly beautiful world of “Coraline” to the breathtaking adventure of “Kubo and the Two Strings,” the stop-motion animation studio has continued demonstrating just how extraordinary handcrafted storytelling can be.
Now, after 15 years of development, LAIKA is preparing to invite audiences into its newest fantasy world.
And some moviegoers will have the opportunity to experience it a little early.
“Wildwood,” the studio’s upcoming stop-motion animated fantasy adventure, has been added to the lineup of the 2026 Animation Is Film Festival for a special screening on Monday, October 19, at the Academy Museum’s Geffen Theater in Los Angeles.
The screening will also feature a special conversation between director and LAIKA President and CEO Travis Knight and filmmaker Jason Reitman, exploring the remarkable journey of bringing the ambitious animated production to the big screen.
And considering just how long the film has been in development, there should be plenty to discuss.
Inspired by the acclaimed novel written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, “Wildwood” follows Prue McKeel, a determined teenager whose ordinary life takes a rather extraordinary turn when her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows.
Naturally, Prue isn’t about to let her brother disappear without a fight.
Her desperate search leads her into the Impassable Wilderness, a mysterious enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon, where the familiar rules of the outside world no longer seem to apply.
Joined by her loyal, if somewhat hapless, classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue discovers a strange and dangerous world filled with talking animals, bandits and powerful figures whose ambitions threaten the delicate balance of the forest.
But what begins as a mission to rescue her brother soon becomes something much larger.
As Prue and Curtis are drawn deeper into the conflicts surrounding Wildwood, they must navigate unfamiliar dangers and uncover the secrets of a world whose future may depend on the choices they make.
It’s the kind of grand fantasy adventure that seems particularly well suited to LAIKA’s distinctive approach to animation.
Rather than relying entirely on computer-generated environments and characters, the studio’s artists bring their stories to life through intricately crafted physical puppets, sets and environments, painstakingly animated frame by frame.
Every movement, expression and detail contributes to creating a world that feels both fantastical and remarkably tangible.
And with “Wildwood,” the studio is taking that artistic ambition to an entirely new level.
The film represents 15 years of creative development and the work of hundreds of artists, making it one of LAIKA’s most ambitious productions to date.
Behind the camera is Travis Knight, whose previous directing credits include “Kubo and the Two Strings.” Knight has also played an important role in shaping LAIKA’s earlier productions, having worked as lead animator on “Coraline,” “ParaNorman” and “The Boxtrolls.”
Of course, bringing such an enormous fantasy world to life also requires an impressive collection of performers.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee leads the voice cast as Prue McKeel, alongside Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg.
They are joined by 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.
For fans of the original novel, the animated adaptation offers an opportunity to see the imaginative world of Wildwood translated into an entirely new storytelling medium.
And for audiences discovering the story for the first time, it promises a journey filled with mystery, adventure and the kind of visual imagination that has become synonymous with LAIKA’s work.
The special presentation will take place during the ninth annual Animation Is Film Festival, running October 16 through October 19 in Hollywood.
This year’s festival lineup also includes acclaimed animated features such as “Iron Boy,” “Tangles” and Cartoon Saloon’s “Julián,” celebrating the remarkable variety of stories and artistic approaches found within contemporary animation.
But audiences who won’t be attending the festival won’t have much longer to wait.
“Wildwood” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026, through Fathom Entertainment, just four days after its special festival screening.
Tickets are available through WildwoodMovie.com.
For families interested in attending, it’s worth remembering that LAIKA’s films often explore darker fantasy themes and emotionally intense situations, making it important to consider the film’s content and age suitability for younger viewers.
Still, there is something rather exciting about seeing another ambitious stop-motion production preparing to reach the big screen.
In an era when so much animation is created digitally, LAIKA continues celebrating the extraordinary possibilities of physical craftsmanship, demonstrating how countless carefully constructed details can come together to create an entirely believable imaginary world.
And after 15 years of bringing “Wildwood” from the pages of a beloved novel to the screen, the studio is finally preparing to share that world with audiences.
A mysterious forest, an unlikely pair of heroes and a dangerous journey into the unknown.
Sometimes, the greatest adventures are waiting just beyond the places we think we know.
And this October, the path into Wildwood is finally opening.