LAIKA Sets Nationwide Theatrical Release for Wildwood With Fathom and FilmNation

Wildwood, the next animated feature from LAIKA, will receive a nationwide U.S. theatrical release on October 23, 2026, as the studio partners with Fathom Entertainment for domestic distribution and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales.

The announcement signals a strategic evolution for LAIKA, the stop-motion studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, as it adopts a more flexible, globally focused release model. Rather than relying on a traditional studio rollout, LAIKA is aligning with specialized partners tailored to the scale and ambitions of Wildwood.

International sales for the film will officially launch next month at the European Film Market in Berlin, where FilmNation Entertainment will present the project to buyers worldwide.

Crafted entirely by hand, Wildwood follows a young girl who ventures into a forbidden forest to rescue her kidnapped baby brother. What begins as a desperate search escalates into a perilous journey through a hidden world filled with magical beings, unlikely allies, and dangerous foes, as the fate of an unseen realm hangs in the balance.

LAIKA has described the film as its most expansive and accessible production to date, blending meticulous stop-motion artistry with epic cinematic scope. The voice cast features Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.

“Wildwood is a testament to LAIKA walking its own path,” said David Burke, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at LAIKA. “For this film, we’re taking a customized approach to how we bring it to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project while preserving our independence.”

LAIKA’s collaboration with Fathom builds on the success of recent theatrical reissues, including the 15th anniversary release of Coraline and a remastered run of ParaNorman. With Coraline earning $56 million worldwide, the studio continues to see strong demand for experiencing its films on the big screen.

Travis Knight, President and CEO of LAIKA and director of Wildwood, emphasized the film’s theatrical intent. “We designed Wildwood to be discovered in the dark, on a big screen, with a room full of fellow dreamers. Partnering with Fathom and FilmNation ensures it arrives as a true cinematic event meant to be shared.”

Tickets for U.S. screenings will go on sale later this summer through Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices, with availability varying by location. FilmNation Entertainment will represent Wildwood internationally across global territories beginning at the European Film Market.