Laika Studios premiered their sixth stop-motion animated feature, *Wildwood*, at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2026, just ahead of its October 23 theatrical release. Directed by Travis Knight with a script by Chris Butler, the PG-13 film centers on Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who ventures into a mysterious forest to rescue her abducted baby brother. Accompanying voices include Jacob Tremblay, Angela Bassett, Mahershala Ali, Carey Mulligan, Awkwafina, and others, rounding out a strong and diverse cast.

The film received unanimous critical acclaim, earning a perfect 100% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on fifteen critical reviews. If maintained, this will be a first for a Laika film, surpassing previous scores of its notable features like *Coraline* (91%) and *Kubo and the Two Strings* (97%). Critics are praising *Wildwood* not only for its storytelling but also for its groundbreaking and intricate stop-motion animation, highlighting the film's ambitious scale.

Leading critics have enthusiastically endorsed *Wildwood*, calling it Laika’s most ambitious and possibly best work to date. William Bibbiani from *The Wrap* described the film as astonishing for its craft, while Frank Scheck of *The Hollywood Reporter* called it a masterpiece. Other respected voices from *Variety*, *Screen International*, and *The Guardian* commended the film’s appeal across generations and its old-fashioned charm, even if some noted the storyline was less original than its execution.

*Wildwood* follows a distinctive path for Laika, known for their artistic stop-motion films. Its debut indicates a strong potential for both critical and audience success. As it prepares to hit theaters nationwide on October 23, anticipation is high to see if *Wildwood* can maintain its exceptional Rotten Tomatoes score and become a defining title for the studio’s future.