The lights dimmed. A hush fell over the crowd, buzzing with anticipation, then…silence. For fans of Laika, the studio behind Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, the wait for their next masterpiece has felt like an eternity since 2019’s Missing Link. But the whispers are over: Laika’s back, and their next film, Wildwood, is coming to theaters sooner than you think.
Mark your calendars: Wildwood arrives in theaters October 23rd. What’s surprising? It won’t be distributed by the usual suspects. Instead of a major studio, Fathom Entertainment—known for specialized releases and repertory screenings, like the annual Coraline revival—is taking the reins.
A New Path for Laika’s Vision
Think about your favorite indie coffee shop versus a Starbucks. Both serve coffee, but the experience—the atmosphere, the care, the unique touches—are worlds apart. That’s the feeling here. Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, shared his enthusiasm in a press release, calling Wildwood “a magnificently ambitious stop-motion film and a landmark achievement in handcrafted cinematic artistry.” He emphasized Fathom’s commitment to a nationwide U.S. theatrical release, mirroring the approach of legacy Hollywood studios while incorporating Fathom’s signature innovation.
David Burke, Laika’s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, hinted at “a more customized approach” to reaching audiences, aligning partners with the project’s specific needs. This partnership is a departure from Focus Features, which distributed Laika’s first four films.
Will Fewer Theaters Mean a Smaller Audience for Wildwood?
The big question is: how will this shift affect the film’s reach? Will it land in fewer cinemas, or perhaps specialized venues more attuned to Laika’s artistic style? Or will it be business as usual? Only time will tell, but for now, consider it a strategic recalibration, like a jazz bandleader choosing a smaller club for a more intimate performance.
What is Wildwood About?
Imagine stumbling upon a hidden map in your attic. It promises adventure, danger, and a world unlike anything you’ve ever known. Laika describes Wildwood as “a handcrafted epic fantasy that transports audiences into a secret, dangerously alive world.” The story follows a girl on a desperate quest to rescue her baby brother, plunging her into a forbidden forest teeming with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies, and formidable foes. The fate of an entire hidden world hangs in the balance.
The studio emphasizes that Wildwood is a fully stop-motion animated film. In their words, “In an era of automation, Laika delivers its most ambitious and globally accessible film yet, combining human-crafted artistry with large-scale cinematic storytelling.”
A Glimpse into the Wildwood
Along with the distribution news, Laika dropped a teaser, hinting at a culmination of their previous work.
Follow the crows… all will be revealed. #Wildwood pic.twitter.com/SpE2R5JnhO
— LAIKA (@LAIKAStudios) January 20, 2026
Travis Knight, President and CEO of Laika, and the director of Wildwood, calls it “the biggest world Laika has ever built, and the most personal.” He describes the film as “a story about the pull of the unknown, the courage it takes to step into it, and who you become along the way.” Knight passionately champions artistry over algorithms, believing that handcrafted films can still be “bold, surprising, dangerous, and alive.” His vision is for Wildwood to be experienced as a shared cinematic event, “discovered in the dark, on a big screen, with a room full of fellow dreamers.”
Who Voices the Characters in Wildwood?
The voice cast is stellar, featuring Carey Mulligan, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant, among others. This impressive lineup suggests a rich tapestry of characters and performances.
Be the First to Know
Fathom Entertainment has already created a page where fans can sign up for alerts when tickets go on sale this summer. Sign up here.
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With a new distributor, a compelling story, and a powerhouse cast, Wildwood promises to be a unique cinematic experience. Will this unconventional release strategy elevate Laika’s artistry, or will it leave audiences searching for something more?