LAIKA Unveils Mesmerizing WILDWOOD Footage Packed With Detail, Mystery, and Magic
LAIKA has offered another peek at their long-awaited stop-motion fantasy film Wildwood, and this latest behind-the-scenes featurette is a treat for animation fans.
The two-minute video teases the film’s atmosphere while spotlighting the intricate artistry that’s gone into bringing this world to life. With the movie finally set to hit theaters this October, it’s clear this passion project is shaping up to be something pretty special.
At the center of the featurette is a striking owl character, giving viewers a closer look at the film’s connection to nature and its rich animal life.
The footage leans into the Pacific Northwest setting, emphasizing towering forests, dense foliage, and a moody sense of wonder that feels pulled straight from myth. LAIKA’s attention to detail is on full display here, from the texture of feathers to the subtle movement in every leaf. It’s the kind of craftsmanship that reminds you why stop-motion animation still holds a unique kind of magic.
The story of Wildwood follows Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who ventures into a hidden forest near Portland, Oregon, after her baby brother Mac is kidnapped by a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman.
Alongside her friend Curtis, Prue is drawn into a strange and dangerous world that exists just beyond the edge of reality. The film builds on the original illustrated book series by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, translating that eerie, storybook tone into something cinematic and immersive.
This new featurette also hints at the scale of the story, with a powerful golden eagle commanding the skies and adding to the sense that this forest is alive with both beauty and danger. It’s not just about the characters but the environment itself, which feels like a living presence shaping everything that happens.
The voice cast includes Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Awkwafina, Mahershala Ali, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Jemaine Clement, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.
Wildwood is directed by Travis Knight, the filmmaker behind Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, and the CEO of LAIKA. The screenplay comes from Chris Butler, who previously worked on ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link.
The film has been years in the making at LAIKA’s Portland studio, with animators pouring an incredible level of care into every frame.
Fathom is set to release Wildwood in theaters on October 23rd, 2026, and if this featurette is any indication, audiences are in for a visually stunning and emotionally rich adventure.