LAIKA is heading somewhere darker with Wildwood, its latest stop-motion adventure that swaps familiar fairy-tale sweetness for a mysterious forest filled with talking animals, dangerous factions, and supernatural forces. Directed by Travis Knight, the filmmaker behind Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, the film is based on Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis’ acclaimed novel.

With a massive voice cast and a PG-13 rating, Wildwood is shaping up to be a fantasy adventure that may appeal to more than just younger viewers. 

The adventure begins when Prue McKeel’s baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows and carried beyond the boundaries of Portland, Oregon, into the mysterious Impassable Wilderness. Naturally, Prue isn't about to sit around and wait for him to come back.

She ventures into the forbidden forest with her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, who may be hapless but is loyal enough to follow her into the unknown. Once inside, the pair discover a hidden world populated by talking animals, bandits, mystics and powerful figures battling for control of Wildwood.

What begins as a straightforward rescue mission soon becomes something much bigger. Prue and Curtis find themselves caught in a conflict threatening the entire wilderness, forcing Prue to uncover the forest's secrets while discovering a strength she did not know she possessed.

Where to Watch ‘Digimon’? Your Guide to Stream NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Favorite Anime in 2026

And considering the film has earned a PG-13 rating for strong fantasy violence, bloody images, thematic material, brief partial nudity, language, and suicide-related material, this is not exactly a bedtime-story version of an enchanted forest.

If the dark fantasy world is not enough to grab attention, the voice cast certainly might be. Wildwood features an impressive ensemble led by Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel and Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg.

The cast also includes Carey Mulligan as Alexandra, Mahershala Ali as Brendan, Angela Bassett as the General, and Awkwafina as Septima. Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant are also part of the voice cast.

Behind the camera, Travis Knight directs and produces, while Chris Butler serves as screenwriter. Knight is no stranger to ambitious stop-motion storytelling, having previously directed Kubo and the Two Strings, while LAIKA is also the studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman and The Missing Link.

The wait for LAIKA's latest fantasy adventure is almost over. Wildwood is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters on October 23, 2026, with Fathom Entertainment handling its U.S. theatrical release. Tickets are already on sale, with select screenings also available in formats including 4DX, D-BOX, and Dolby Cinema.

The film runs for around two hours and 12 minutes, making it one of LAIKA's more expansive adventures yet. With its handcrafted animation, enormous voice cast, and surprisingly mature PG-13 rating, Wildwood is ready to take audiences somewhere that looks magical but definitely is not safe, just like many other shows.

Netflix Strengthens Its Anime Roster With 'Dragon Ball Super: Beerus,' Here's Everything You Need to Know

Are you excited for Wildwood? Let us know in the comments.