‘Wildwood’ Opens With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score: Is It Laika’s Best Film Yet
Stop-motion animation is one of cinema’s most painstaking and handcrafted arts, making the release of a new Laika film a significant event. After a lengthy hiatus, the studio behind ‘Coraline’ is back, and early reactions to its new fantasy epic are already rolling in. ‘Wildwood’ is poised to be a film that sparks debate for years to come.
This adventure marks Laika’s return to theaters after the 2019 release of ‘Missing Link.’ Based on Colin Meloy’s 2011 novel, illustrated by Carson Ellis, it follows Prue McKeel as she journeys into a hidden forest near Portland after her baby brother Mac is abducted by a murder of crows. Laika describes the film as a “bold fusion of human-crafted artistry and cinematic storytelling” in an age dominated by automation.
The initial reviews are in, and the film boasts a flawless Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 16 reviews following its world premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 11. If this score holds, it would make ‘Wildwood’ Laika’s highest-rated film, surpassing ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ at 97% and ‘Coraline’ at 91%.
The early buzz is overwhelmingly positive. Critics have hailed it as Laika’s most ambitious film to date, with one review claiming it surpasses all previous works. Another described it as a dark fable of monumental proportions, with early reactions likening its battle scenes to epic fantasy akin to ‘The Lord of the Rings.’
Even the most enthusiastic critiques emphasize the film’s craftsmanship. Flickering Myth went as far as to call it “the crowning achievement in Laika’s 20-year journey.” However, this review also cautioned that the film contains multiple character deaths and at least one genuinely traumatic scene, suggesting it may be more suitable for older children.
Not every review has been entirely glowing. A roundup of festival critiques noted that while many agree on the ambition of the stop-motion, opinions diverge on the storytelling. Variety praised its scale but expressed concerns about familiar fantasy tropes and pacing issues.
IndieWire appreciated the craftsmanship but found the overall experience less enchanting than Laika’s best offerings, questioning the depth of its characters. This division is common for films with such high visual ambition. As more reviews come in, it’s likely that the perfect score will face some challenges, but the early consensus remains largely favorable.
The film’s scale is part of its appeal. Reports from production indicate the use of hundreds of sets and nearly 250 practical puppets. Directed by Travis Knight, Laika’s CEO, the film features a script by Chris Butler, cinematography by Caleb Deschanel, and a score by Dario Marianelli.
The voice cast is impressive, featuring Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue, Jacob Tremblay as her classmate Curtis, Carey Mulligan as Alexandra, Mahershala Ali as the Bandit King Brendan, and Angela Bassett as the great eagle known as The General. The ensemble also includes Awkwafina, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Richard E. Grant, and Jake Johnson, making for a notably star-studded lineup.
Awards discussions have already begun. Every previous Laika film has received a nomination for Best Animated Feature, but none have won. Currently, ‘Wildwood’ leads Gold Derby’s odds for the category, although earlier predictions had ‘Toy Story 5’ as the frontrunner, indicating a competitive race ahead.
There are places you don’t go.
One choice changes everything. Watch the Teaser Trailer for Wildwood now, and see the movie in theatres everywhere October 23. #Wildwood https://t.co/1COoQT3REY— LAIKA (@LAIKAStudios) May 13, 2026
The box office performance remains a critical question. This marks Laika’s first PG-13 film, and with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes, it is longer than typical animated features, which could pose commercial challenges. Fathom Entertainment is set to release it nationwide on October 23.
If the reviews maintain their positive trend, ‘Wildwood’ could demonstrate that audiences still crave handmade animation in a rapidly evolving cinematic landscape.
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