WILDWOOD (2026)

The fantastical elements of Wildwood, the latest stop-motion film from acclaimed studio Laika, may sound familiar to fantasy fans. Echoes of The Lord of the Rings (2001-03), The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010), Princess Mononoke (1997), and Labyrinth (1986) ring loudly through this adventure. Yet rather than fading into the shadows of the works that came before it, Wildwood rises to the moment and makes a case for itself as a new fantasy classic.

When her parents leave her in charge of her little brother, Mac, Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) takes him to a park in Portland, Oregon, where she runs into her nerdy classmate, Curtis (Jacob Tremblay). But tragedy strikes when a murder of crows kidnaps Mac and flies with him to the mysterious, magical forest outside the city. As Prue and Curtis try to save him, they’re drawn into a wondrous world of talking animals, warring factions and a prophecy that proves much closer to home than Prue could have imagined.

This may be Travis Knight’s second feature film of the year, after his live-action Masters of the Universe (2026) failed to achieve much critical or commercial success. But using his family’s fortune to pursue artistic brilliance is where the nepo baby—famously the son of Nike’s Phil Knight—truly belongs: helming ambitious stop-motion projects. This is Knight’s first animated film as director since the equally stunning and memorable Kubo and the Two Strings (2016). The project began in 2011, just weeks after the publication of the novel of the same name, written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis. For the past decade and a half, Knight and the dedicated team at Laika have poured everything into the production. Their painstaking care is evident in every second of this 131-minute feature, the longest stop-motion film of all time.

What stands out most about Wildwood is its breathtaking visual design. Even the opening shot of leaves blowing on a windy evening feels like the filmmakers showing off how seamlessly they’ve constructed the film. Several times, I had to remind myself that I was watching a film made with stop-motion rather than computer-generated imagery. The world of Wildwood is incredibly immersive, full of distinctive locations and characters. From the bustling recreation of Portland to the dark lair of the dowager governess, Alexandra (Carey Mulligan), everything feels alive.

Animated films that run for more than two hours can sometimes feel like a slog. Laika’s production team keeps Wildwood engaging throughout. Caleb Deschanel’s cinematography is fantastic, creating the right energy and lighting for each scene. Dario Marianelli’s score is another highlight. It may not be as iconic as other fantasy scores, such as Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings compositions, but it gives the film tension and depth. Christopher Murrie’s editing also deserves credit for trimming the fat from each scene. A few moments feel rushed, but most of the film gives its characters the right amount of time to develop.

Prue is an extremely convincing protagonist. She fits the archetypes of the reluctant hero and the ordinary person thrust into the heart of a fantastical conflict. These familiar roles strengthen her characterisation rather than making the plot feel clichéd. She’s grown up and can’t be bothered with magic, but she puts her teenage angst aside for the sake of her deep love for her baby brother. With a terrific vocal performance from Peyton Elizabeth Lee and incredible animation, Prue is a memorable character to follow into the dark forest.

Beyond Prue, Wildwood belongs to two other characters: Curtis and Alexandra. Curtis has no confidence in himself, but must find the courage to stand up for what he believes and help his friend. Alexandra, a grief-stricken mother who’ll use any means necessary to get her son back, is terrifying. Carey Mulligan gives everything to the role, bringing depth to a character who could easily have become a stock evil queen. Tremblay is brilliant, too. It’s exciting to see an actor who broke into the A-list with Room (2015) display such growth and depth.

Wildwood also boasts an impressive voice cast. Angela Bassett plays the majestic general of the forest’s avian species, while Mahershala Ali is terrific as the stoic leader of the bandit resistance. Jake Johnson, Tom Waits and Tantoo Cardinal also have their moments. Unfortunately, some of the other voice performances are less convincing. Awkwafina has been typecast in quirky animated sidekick roles for years. This may be her best work in that vein, but it still feels a little out of place. I’m also unconvinced by Charlie Day as Dmitri, a turncoat coyote.

The film’s biggest disappointment is its thematic development. The character growth works, but the themes explored in the climax don’t land as strongly. Wildwood wants to set Alexandra and Prue up as opposites on either side of a journey towards letting go, but the connection between them doesn’t quite come through. They make a strong protagonist-antagonist pairing, but I didn’t feel emotionally invested in their journeys as foils. The familiar plot threads may also hold the film back. When moments echo other fantasy classics, it takes more work to make a profound impact on the audience.

Still, Wildwood’s greatest emotional impact comes from its artistry as a whole. I left the cinema invigorated by the film’s creation and by the finished work on the big screen. The passion of the people who brought this incredible world to life is evident in every moment. From the small details, such as mountains towering over Portland, to one of the most intense action sequences in animated film, Wildwood shines.

At the start of the film, as Prue cycles through a vividly rendered Portland, she passes an art stall. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot, the artist—played in a cameo by illustrator Carson Ellis—has a sign that reads: ‘Enjoy Handmade Art Before It’s Gone for Good.’ It’s a cheeky dig at AI and a celebration of the 15 years countless artists spent making the film. It’s also the perfect encapsulation of one of the most gorgeous stop-motion films ever made.

USA • UK • CANADA | 2026 | 130 MINUTES | 2.39:1 | COLOUR | ENGLISH

Cast & Crew

director: Travis Knight.
writer: Chris Butler (based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy & Carson Ellis).
voices: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits & Richard E. Grant.