Laika Studios will release its first film in seven years when Wildwood arrives in theaters on October 23, marking a new distribution strategy for the stop-motion powerhouse behind Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.
**At a Glance
- Wildwood is Laika’s first feature since 2019’s Missing Link
- Fathom Entertainment will handle domestic release instead of a major studio
- Voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, and more
- Why it matters: The shift to a specialty distributor could reshape how handcrafted animated films reach audiences
The Portland-based studio revealed the long-gestating project Monday, confirming that Fathom Entertainment-the same company that has steered annual re-releases of Coraline-will manage the nationwide theatrical rollout rather than Focus Features, which released Laika’s first four films.
Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, called the film “a magnificently ambitious stop-motion film and a landmark achievement in handcrafted cinematic artistry” in a press release. “Fathom is elated to build on our past theatrical re-release successes with Laika, including Coraline and ParaNorman, and to be selected and entrusted as the distributor for a full, nationwide U.S. theatrical release of Wildwood.”
David Burke, Laika’s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, framed the partnership as “a more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project.” The article does not specify whether the Fathom deal will shrink or expand the theater count compared with previous Laika releases.
A Secret Forest Epic
Wildwood adapts Colin Meloy’s fantasy novel set in a magical version of Portland. The official synopsis describes the plot as “a handcrafted epic fantasy that transports audiences into a secret, dangerously alive world. A girl’s desperate quest to save her baby brother becomes a high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest filled with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies, and formidable adversaries, where an entire hidden realm hangs in the balance.”
The studio emphasized that every frame is stop-motion, bucking the industry’s digital tide. “In an era of automation, Laika delivers its most ambitious and globally accessible film yet, combining human-crafted artistry with large-scale cinematic storytelling,” the announcement states.
Travis Knight, Laika’s President and CEO and the director of Wildwood, said the picture represents “the biggest world Laika has ever built, and the most personal. It’s a story about the pull of the unknown, the courage it takes to step into it, and who you become along the way.”
Knight positioned the film as a communal theatrical experience: “We designed Wildwood to be seen the way movies first captured our imaginations: discovered in the dark, on a big screen, with a room full of fellow dreamers experiencing joy, silence, and wonder together.”
Star-Studded Voice Cast
The ensemble cast mixes Oscar winners, comedy veterans, and rising stars:
- Carey Mulligan
- Jacob Tremblay
- Mahershala Ali
- Angela Bassett
- Awkwafina
- Jake Johnson
- Charlie Day
- Amandla Stenberg
- Jemaine Clement
- Maya Erskine
- Tom Waits
- Richard E. Grant
A teaser trailer posted Monday shows crows swirling above a misty forest with the tagline “Follow the crows… all will be revealed.” The full teaser is available on Laika’s official Twitter account.
Distribution Shift
Laika’s earlier films opened through Focus Features, Universal’s specialty label. Coraline (2009) earned $124 million worldwide and became a cult favorite, while ParaNorman (2012) and Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) secured Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature. Missing Link (2019) won the Golden Globe but under-performed commercially, grossing $26 million globally.
Fathom Entertainment typically handles one-night or limited-run events-classic musicals, anime imports, faith-based specials-rather than wide first-run releases. The company’s recent box-office hits include the 2023 re-release of Coraline, which collected $11 million** in four October days, and similar annual Halloween screenings.
Nutt said the Wildwood deal “further exemplifies Fathom Entertainment’s growth and evolution into a full-service specialty theatrical distributor.” Burke added that the partnership allows Laika to “arrive with intention-as a true cinematic event meant to be shared.”
Ticket Alerts Open
Fathom has activated a sign-up page where fans can register for alerts when advance tickets go on sale. The company expects ticketing to open “sometime this summer,” according to the announcement. A formal marketing campaign, additional trailers, and promotional partnerships have not yet been detailed.
Laika was founded in 2005 by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, whose son Travis now runs day-to-day operations. The studio employs more than 500 artists, animators, and craftspeople at its Oregon headquarters, where Wildwood spent more than four years in production.
Key Takeaways
- Laika returns after its longest gap between features, betting on handcrafted stop-motion in a CG-dominated market
- Fathom Entertainment steps into first-run distribution, a strategic pivot from its repertory roots
- An A-list voice cast and Portland-fantasy setting aim to replicate Coraline’s crossover appeal
- Theater counts and box-office prospects remain unconfirmed, but the October 23 date positions Wildwood as a Halloween-season alternative for family and adult audiences
Tickets will be available later this year.
