‘Wildwood’ Audience Rotten Tomatoes Score Is 98% Making It One of the Highest-Rated Animated Movies
Laika has spent two decades demonstrating the importance of handcrafted animation. From ‘Coraline’ to ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, the Oregon studio has garnered critical acclaim and Oscar nominations, yet it has often struggled with box office success. This history makes the initial response to its latest film feel like a significant turning point.
The film is ‘Wildwood‘, Laika’s sixth feature and its first release in seven years, following ‘Missing Link’ in 2019. Based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy, the frontman of the Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis, it follows Prue McKeel as she ventures into a hidden enchanted forest to rescue her baby brother from a murder of crows. Directed by Travis Knight, with a script by Chris Butler, the voice cast features Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, and Awkwafina.
Now, audiences have shared their opinions. ‘Wildwood’ has debuted with a remarkable 98% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 100 verified ratings following early fan screenings. This impressive score accompanies a perfect 100% Tomatometer based on 42 critics’ reviews.
The audience score is significant as it reinforces the critics’ praise. If the flawless critics’ score remains, ‘Wildwood’ would become the first Laika film to achieve a 100% rating from critics, surpassing ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ at 97% and ‘Coraline’ at 91%. One outlet even described this combination as one of the highest-rated animated features of the decade, a remarkable assertion for a film that has yet to see a wide release.
The journey to this moment began at the BFI London Film Festival, where ‘Wildwood’ had its world premiere on October 11. It opened with a flawless 100% from its first 15 reviews and currently holds a score of 85 on Metacritic. The film maintained its perfect Tomatometer as the review count increased from 15 to 42.
Critics have been enthusiastic. The Hollywood Reporter hailed it as Laika’s most ambitious project to date and possibly its masterpiece, while Variety described it as a formal achievement and a crowd-pleaser that appeals across generations. Some reviewers noted that the battle sequences rival the scale of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Game of Thrones’, with several labeling it an early Oscar contender.
However, there is some dissent. IndieWire rated the film a B−, calling it a stop-motion marvel that lacks the enchantment of the studio’s best works, and other positive reviews also expressed reservations about the narrative. Critics have also cautioned that it ventures into darker themes, marking it as the studio’s first PG-13 film, with a runtime exceeding two hours.
The scale of the production is impressive. Reports indicate 136 sets and 231 practical puppets, a significant expansion for the studio. Laika first announced plans to adapt the novel in 2011, shortly after its publication, with production commencing in 2021.
The release strategy is equally unconventional. Laika has partnered with Fathom Entertainment for a wide U.S. theatrical release on October 23, with FilmNation managing international sales, rather than collaborating with a traditional major studio. Fan-first screenings took place on October 19 in over 100 locations, likely contributing to the early audience score.
Ticket sales projections are more modest. One estimate suggests a domestic opening between $5 million and $10 million, comparable to ‘Missing Link’, which opened at $5.9 million and grossed $26.5 million globally. Fathom has a history with Laika, as evidenced by its 2024 re-release of ‘Coraline’, which grossed over $52 million worldwide.
The first trailer for LAIKA’s new film ‘WILDWOOD’ has been released.
The film follows a girl who enters a magical forbidden forest to rescue her kidnapped baby brother.
In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/fwBole0ZHN— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 13, 2026
This sets the stage for a classic test of word of mouth. Strong reviews and a 98% audience score are precisely what a film like this needs to gain traction after a quiet opening. It also positions ‘Wildwood’ as a serious contender for the Best Animated Feature category at the 2027 Oscars, where all five of Laika’s previous films received nominations.
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