Key Takeaways:
- Laika, the studio behind stop-motion features like "Coraline" and "ParaNorman," has partnered with Fathom Entertainment for the U.S. theatrical distribution of its latest film, "Wildwood."
- Fathom Entertainment will release "Wildwood" in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026, with FilmNation Entertainment handling international sales.
- The film features a voice cast including Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, and Mahershala Ali, and follows a girl’s quest to save her baby brother in a forbidden forest.
- Laika’s partnership with Fathom Entertainment and FilmNation Entertainment is part of the studio’s effort to reintroduce itself to the world after the disappointment of its last release, "Missing Link."
- Laika is also developing several live-action projects, including adaptations of novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Katie Kitamura.
Introduction to Laika’s New Partnership
Laika, the renowned studio behind beloved stop-motion features like "Coraline" and "ParaNorman," began the process of reintroducing itself to the world last summer. However, one major question remained unanswered: who would be responsible for releasing the studio’s films as they ramped up production after the disappointment of their last release, "Missing Link"? The studio has previously collaborated with various distributors, including Focus Features, Annapurna Pictures, and United Artists Releasing. Nevertheless, as Laika prepared to bring its latest stop-motion effort, "Wildwood," to theaters, the distribution partner remained unknown. Now, it has been announced that Fathom Entertainment will serve as the film’s U.S. theatrical distributor, with FilmNation Entertainment handling international sales.
Fathom Entertainment’s Growing Role in Distribution
Fathom Entertainment has been expanding its presence in the distribution world beyond its typical focus on one-off event screenings. The company has recently been involved in the theatrical re-releases of Laika’s "Coraline" and "ParaNorman." This partnership marks a significant development in Laika’s strategy to bring its films to a wider audience. Fathom Entertainment’s experience in distributing unique and special events makes it an ideal partner for Laika’s distinctive and handcrafted stop-motion films. By teaming up with Fathom, Laika aims to create a customized approach to releasing its films, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of each project.
"Wildwood" Film Details
Laika and Fathom Entertainment will release "Wildwood" in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026. The film is billed as "a handcrafted epic fantasy that transports audiences into a secret, dangerously alive world." It follows the story of a girl’s desperate quest to save her baby brother, which becomes a high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest filled with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies, and formidable adversaries. The film boasts an impressive voice cast, including 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. With its unique blend of fantasy and adventure, "Wildwood" promises to be a thrilling and immersive cinematic experience.
Laika’s Creative Vision and Ambition
According to David Burke, Laika’s chief marketing and operations officer, the studio is taking a customized approach to releasing "Wildwood." By partnering with Fathom Entertainment and FilmNation Entertainment, Laika aims to preserve its independence while aligning with world-class collaborators to support the film’s ambition. Travis Knight, president and CEO of Laika and director of "Wildwood," added that the film is a celebration of artistry over algorithms and a testament to the power of handcrafted, stop-motion animation. Knight emphasized that "Wildwood" is the biggest and most personal world Laika has ever built, and the film’s story is a reflection of the studio’s commitment to creating bold, surprising, and dangerous cinematic experiences.
Laika’s Live-Action Projects and Future Developments
In addition to "Wildwood," Laika is also developing several live-action projects through its subsidiary. These include a feature film based on the action thriller novel "Seventeen" by screenwriter John Brownlow, an original script titled "Crumble" written and directed by Brian Duffield, and an original project from Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Laika is also producing a live-action adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel "Atmosphere," to be written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Furthermore, the studio is producing a film version of Katie Kitamura’s bestselling novel "Audition," directed by Lulu Wang and starring Lucy Liu and Charles Melton. These projects demonstrate Laika’s commitment to expanding its creative reach and exploring new formats and genres.
