LAIKA Drops New ‘Wildwood’ Teaser Ahead of Full Trailer’s Release Tomorrow

Stop-motion animation has become an increasingly rare theatrical event, making every new project from LAIKA feel like something worth paying close attention to. The Oregon-based studio behind ‘Coraline’ and ‘ParaNorman’ has spent years quietly building toward what may be its most ambitious undertaking yet.

That anticipation has only grown as ‘Wildwood‘ inches closer to its theatrical debut. The film has been in various stages of development since 2011, with production formally confirmed back in 2021, giving fans over a decade to wonder what LAIKA’s next stop-motion epic would ultimately look like.

Now, a brand-new teaser has arrived, offering fans a fresh glimpse into the film’s dense forest world ahead of a full trailer set to drop tomorrow. The clip showcases sweeping, atmospheric shots of the film’s central setting, continuing LAIKA’s tradition of hand-crafted visual storytelling that’s defined the studio since ‘Coraline’ first put it on the map.

‘Wildwood’ is directed by LAIKA CEO Travis Knight, working from a screenplay written by longtime collaborator Chris Butler, and adapts the novel series by Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists, with illustrations by Carson Ellis. The story follows Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, as she ventures into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest just outside Portland, Oregon, to rescue her baby brother after he’s abducted by a murder of crows.

Joining Prue on her journey is her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, as the pair navigate a hidden realm filled with talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures shaped by grief and ambition. Along the way, they become entangled in a larger conflict threatening the balance of the entire forest, forcing Prue to discover reserves of courage she never knew she had.

The film’s voice cast reads like a genuine ensemble showcase, including Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Angela Bassett, and Mahershala Ali. LAIKA has described ‘Wildwood’ as its most ambitious project to date, reportedly featuring 136 distinct locations, 231 practical puppets, and 54 hero characters brought to life through the studio’s painstaking frame-by-frame process.

Six-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel also joined the production, lending additional visual pedigree to a film already generating buzz for its scale and craftsmanship. LAIKA has spent much of 2026 steadily rolling out marketing material, including character reveals and behind-the-scenes featurettes, building momentum ahead of the film’s theatrical debut.

‘Wildwood’ marks LAIKA’s first stop-motion feature since 2019’s ‘Missing Link,’ continuing a streak that includes five Oscar-nominated films dating back to 2009’s ‘Coraline.’ The studio has taken a notably customized approach to distributing the film, partnering with Fathom Entertainment for its U.S. theatrical release and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales.

LAIKA’s chief marketing and operations officer, Dave Burke, described the strategy as reflective of the studio charting its own course rather than relying on a traditional major studio partner. That approach mirrors LAIKA’s broader identity as an independent animation studio unafraid to do things differently, even as it pushes for the widest possible theatrical release for its most ambitious film to date.

‘Wildwood’ is set to open nationwide in theaters on October 23. With a full trailer arriving tomorrow and the film’s release date now just weeks away, anticipation continues building for what LAIKA has described as a true cinematic event more than a decade in the making.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!