Wildwood

Movie guide

Wildwood (2026)

  • Animation
  • Adventure
  • Fantasy
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Wildwood (2026): LAIKA's stop-motion fantasy from Travis Knight. Plot summary, voice cast, critical reception, US release date (Oct 23) and where to watch.

Wildwood plot summary (no spoilers)

Prue McKeel’s ordinary life near Portland, Oregon, falls apart when her baby brother is snatched away by a flock of crows. Refusing to wait for someone else to fix things, she follows them into a vast, enchanted forest that most people never notice. Her classmate Curtis Mehlberg tags along, and he is not entirely welcome at first.

The woods turn out to be a whole hidden world. Talking animals, rival factions and old grudges shape life beneath the trees. Behind the kidnapping stands Alexandra, an enigmatic woman who commands the crows and whose motives are far from clear. To bring her brother home, Prue must work out whom she can trust as she meets new allies and dangerous enemies. Along the way she and Curtis must find courage they did not know they had.

Based on a novel and built as a sweeping fairytale adventure, Wildwood asks the question posed by its tagline: how far would you go for those you love?

Wildwood — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What makes Wildwood notable

  • From LAIKA: The film comes from the American animation studio LAIKA. The forest, its creatures and the city on its edge are all brought to life through handcrafted stop-motion animation.
  • Director and writer: Travis Knight directs from a screenplay by Chris Butler.
  • Voice cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee voices Prue and Jacob Tremblay voices Curtis. They are joined by Carey Mulligan as Alexandra and Mahershala Ali as Brenden. Angela Bassett plays The General and Awkwafina plays Septima. Jake Johnson voices Mr. McKeel, with Charlie Day as Dmitri, Amandla Stenberg as Niamh and Jemaine Clement as Roger Swindon.
  • Scale and tone: At 132 minutes, it is an unusually long animated feature. Its PG-13 rating in the US points to an adventure with real peril, aimed beyond the youngest viewers.
  • Festival premiere and reception: Wildwood had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2026, followed by early fan screenings on 19 October. It has already been widely reviewed and has drawn strong critical acclaim. Readers looking for a full review can find many published critics’ verdicts.

Who will enjoy Wildwood

  • Fans of LAIKA’s previous stop-motion films and handmade animation in general
  • Viewers who love epic quest stories set in enchanted forests
  • Families with older children and teens, given the PG-13 rating
  • Readers who enjoy page-to-screen adaptations of fantasy novels
  • Anyone drawn to stories about siblings, loyalty and unlikely friendships

Release date and where to watch

In the United States, Wildwood opens in cinemas on 23 October 2026, rated PG-13. No streaming or digital rental options are listed in the US yet, so a cinema visit is the way to see it at launch. Home-viewing details have not been announced. An official trailer is available for anyone who wants a first look at the film’s stop-motion world.

Trailer

Cast

  • Peyton Elizabeth LeePeyton Elizabeth Leeas Prue McKeel (voice)See credits →
  • Jacob TremblayJacob Tremblayas Curtis Mehlberg (voice)See credits →
  • Carey MulliganCarey Mulliganas Alexandra (voice)See credits →
  • Mahershala AliMahershala Alias Brenden (voice)
  • Angela BassettAngela Bassettas The General (voice)
  • AwkwafinaAwkwafinaas Septima (voice)
  • Jake JohnsonJake Johnsonas Mr. McKeel (voice)
  • Charlie DayCharlie Dayas Dmitri (voice)

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When is Wildwood released?
Wildwood premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2026. It opens in US cinemas on 23 October 2026.
Where can I watch Wildwood?
In the US, Wildwood is a theatrical release from 23 October 2026. No streaming platform is listed yet, and home-viewing plans have not been announced.
Who is in the cast of Wildwood?
The voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Prue), Jacob Tremblay (Curtis), Carey Mulligan (Alexandra), Mahershala Ali (Brenden), Angela Bassett (The General), Awkwafina (Septima), Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg and Jemaine Clement.
What are the reviews for Wildwood like?
Since its world premiere on 11 October 2026, Wildwood has been widely reviewed and has received strong critical acclaim. Published reviews from critics are already available.
How long is Wildwood and what is it rated?
Wildwood runs 132 minutes and is rated PG-13 in the United States.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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