Stop-motion animation just grew up. If you thought CGI had completely conquered the big screen, Laika Studios is here to prove you wrong. Their latest fantasy epic, Wildwood, just celebrated its world premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, and critics are already calling it a masterpiece.
Based on the popular novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, Wildwood takes viewers deep into the Impassable Wilderness, a forbidden forest just outside Portland. When a murder of crows abducts a baby, teenager Prue McKeel embarks on a dangerous rescue mission alongside her classmate Curtis. What follows isn't a cheerful, singing-animal cartoon for toddlers. It's a dark, intricate fantasy adventure that pushes stop-motion animation further than ever before.
What Makes Wildwood Different
Let’s be honest. Most animated releases today rely on slick computers and repetitive formulas. Laika does things the hard way. Every single character, costume, and environment in Wildwood was physically built by hand and photographed frame by frame.
The scale here is staggering. Production involved 136 distinct sets and 231 practical puppets. While 3D printing helped create complex armatures and detailed textures, the heartbeat of the film remains entirely physical. That tactile quality creates a visual weight that digital effects simply can't duplicate. You can practically feel the damp moss and cold autumn air of the Pacific Northwest.
An All-Star Cast Bringing Puppets to Life
A great visual style means nothing without strong performances, and Wildwood features one of the most stacked voice ensembles in recent memory. Peyton Elizabeth Lee stars as the headstrong Prue, while Jacob Tremblay plays Curtis, transforming from a reluctant sidekick into a genuine hero.
The supporting roster is equally impressive. Carey Mulligan voices the sinister Alexandra, heading up a cast that includes Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Charlie Day, Jake Johnson, and Tom Waits. Having actors of this caliber lend their voices gives emotional resonance to physical puppets, turning wooden frames and silicone skin into living, breathing characters.
Why This Film Earned a PG-13 Rating
Parents need to take note. Wildwood is officially Laika's first film to receive a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association.
The source material was never a lighthearted romp, but the adaptation leans heavily into its darker themes of grief, sacrifice, and looming war. Early reviews out of London mention a breathtaking third-act battle sequence and emotional peaks that will leave adult audiences genuinely moved. It’s a bold gamble for a stop-motion feature, proving that animation can target older audiences without losing its sense of wonder.
What to Expect Next
Following its high-profile debut at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Wildwood is heading toward its wide theatrical release in the United States on October 23, 2026, distributed by Fathom Entertainment.
If early Metacritic scores hovering around 85 out of 100 are any indication, you shouldn't skip this one. Go see it on the biggest screen possible, and support physical craftsmanship in an industry obsessed with shortcuts.
