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The latest film from the creators of Coraline and ParaNorman has gone down a storm with critics after its world premiere.
Coming from Laika Studios, Wildwood follows the story of headstrong teenager Prue McKeel (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who launches a desperate rescue mission after her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows.
She journeys to an enchanted forest hidden just beyond the boundaries of her home in Portland, Oregon, forcing her to navigate a world of talking animals, bandits and powerful leaders.
The star-studded cast features the likes of Carey Mulligan, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Charlie Day, Jemaine Clement, and many more.
It is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, with development on the film announced just weeks after its release.
Wildwood is the first from Laika since Missing Link in 2019, and is the longest stop-motion animated film by runtime at 131 minutes.
It is also the first film in Laika’s history to receive a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association.
The film premiered at this year’s BFI London Film Festival yesterday (October 11) and has achieved a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
In their review, Flickering Myth said: ‘Wildwood is the crowning achievement in Laika’s 20-year journey and deserves a place amongst the very best films of the year.’
Collider wrote: ‘Laika has made many visually striking movies in their nearly two-decade career, but Wildwood soars above them all with some of the most breathtaking sequences of the year.’
The Hollywood Reporter called it the studio’s ‘masterpiece’, while The Wrap hailed it ‘the most astonishing animated films ever produced.’
Filmhounds Magazine said: ‘Wildwood is Laika’s magnum opus; a cinematic achievement that we won’t soon see the likes of again. The love and ingenuity on display throughout the writing, directing, art, music and technical work is immense.’
Screen Rant wrote: ‘Wildwood is at once beautiful and horrifying, heartwarming and gut-wrenching, hopeful and crushing.’
Meanwhile, Discussing Film thought: ‘Travis Knight’s Wildwood is a gorgeous fantasy epic that features some of the most complex stop-motion sequences ever made. It’s a true celebration of art for art’s sake.’
Wildwood is also topping many odds lists of the film likely to receive a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 2027 Oscars ahead of the likes of Toy Story 5.
Speaking at Wildwood’s world premiere yesterday, director Travis Knight spoke about how the film came to be and why it is Laika’s most ambitious project yet.
‘This movie took us 16 years to make,’ he told Variety. ‘When we started Barack Obama was a fresh-faced president in his very first term.
‘I could have become a medical doctor twice in the time it took us to make this movie. A child who was born when we started this could have driven me to the premiere.’
Wildwood premiered at BFI London Film Festival 2026. It is scheduled to be released in UK cinemas on October 23