# Laika Studios Wildwood film release

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/laika-studios-wildwood-film-release
> Updated: 2026-09-09T18:00:00.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 4.

Laika Studios has released trailers for its upcoming stop-motion animated feature, Wildwood. Directed by Travis Knight and based on the fantasy novel by Colin Meloy, the film is described as the studio’s most ambitious production, potentially becoming the longest stop-motion animated feature ever produced.

Set near Portland, Oregon, the story follows Prue McKeel as she enters a mystical forest known as the Impassable Wilderness to rescue her brother from a murder of crows. The narrative features an anthropomorphic animal world divided by a civil war between avian principalities and coyote soldiers. The production features a large-scale technical scope, including 136 locations, 231 physical puppets, and 54 main characters. With a reported runtime of approximately 139 minutes, the film is expected to surpass the record held by Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’.

The film includes a high-profile voice cast including Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Richard E. Grant, and Tom Waits. This marks Laika’s first feature film in seven years, following 2019’s ‘Missing Link’. Reports indicate the studio spent 16 years developing the project.

‘Wildwood’ has been selected as the opening night film for the 40th annual AFI Fest in Los Angeles. Scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, this event will serve as the United States premiere of the animated feature. The film is scheduled for a wider theatrical release on October 23, 2026, via Fathom Entertainment.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ to open 40th annual AFI Fest

Laika’s stop-motion film ‘Wildwood,’ directed by Travis Knight, will make its U.S. premiere as the opening night selection for the 40th annual AFI Fest on October 21.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laikas-wildwood-to-open-afi-fest-2026

### 2026-08-31: Laika announces first animated feature film in seven years

Laika announces ‘Wildwood’, its first stop-motion animated feature film since 2019, set for release on October 23, 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laika-announces-first-animated-feature-film-in-seven-years

### 2026-08-24: LAIKA unveils trailer for Wildwood stop-motion film

LAIKA has unveiled the trailer for Wildwood, an ambitious stop-motion fantasy film directed by Travis Knight, set for a theatrical release in October 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laika-unveils-trailer-for-wildwood-stop-motion-film

### 2026-08-19: Laika Studios unveils trailer for ambitious stop-motion film Wildwood

Laika Studios has unveiled trailers for Wildwood, its most ambitious stop-motion film to date. Directed by Travis Knight, the fantasy epic is set for release on October 23, 2026.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laika-unveils-trailer-for-stop-motion-fantasy-film-wildwood

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Cite as: Laika Studios Wildwood film release. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/laika-studios-wildwood-film-release