The Stream: A basic fairytale, fantasy story drags on too long.
The Big Screen: Stunning animation!
The Final Bill: The masterwork animation makes this otherwise ho-hum story come to life.
– Trip Fontaine
Director: Travis Knight
Writers: Chris Butler based on a novel written by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Jake Johnson, Maya Erskine, Jacob Tremblay, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Mahershala Ali
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13 for strong fantasy violence/bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Production Companies: Laika Entertainment
Platform: In theaters October 23, 2026
Notable Trailers: Hexed, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, Not Alone, Jimmy
Welcome back, Streamers! As 2026 comes to a close, we enter the season where families want to get together and do stuff. A stop-motion animated fairytale about an abducted child and anthropomorphic coyotes might do the trick. Yes, Wildwood is the latest stop-motion epic from Laika Entertainment to hit theaters this fall. In this movie, when Prue’s infant brother gets kidnapped by a murder of crows, she and her classmate, Curtis, track them into the Impassible Wilderness to rescue him. Prue and Curtis encounter the dowager governess, Alexandra, who dabbles in dark magic, along with her coyote minions as they fight bandits for control of Wildwood. Alexandra may have ulterior motives for Prue’s missing brother. Talking birds, coyotes and ivy with a mind of its own hijinks ensue.
The stop-motion animation in Wildwood is the main reason to see this movie. The craftsmanship on display in this movie is unbelievable. The settings are vivid and have extreme detail. Every inch of each scene is filled with dynamic color and elements to keep you engaged. The design of each character is distinct, and they are very expressive and tactile. The amount of time and effort that went into creating each element is amazing. All of this work is enhanced by the lighting, movement and music that burst through the screen.
In my opinion, the plot/story of Wildwood lets the animation down. If the stop-motion animation weren’t so stunning, this movie would be dull, dull, dull. As it is, the movie is too long – there’s no reason this needed to be over 2 hours. The plot is just a basic fairytale with fantasy elements. It is very obvious where it is going, and unfortunately, I don’t think there is much humor or emotion that lifts the story. Awkwafina voices a character that’s supposed to bring laughs, but she’s just annoying and doing the same thing she does in every movie as this character (See the live action The Little Mermaid. SMH). There are core themes of loss, grief and independence that should hit you in the heart. It is a coming-of-age story after all, but something was missing. It’s surprising that such expressive and lively animation is dragged down by such a flat story.
Nevertheless, there’s action which gives the movie tension. There are surprisingly bloody sequences that are pretty shocking. Those engaging elements help you get through the boring parts. I guess.
Ultimately, Wildwood is a good animated movie that is elevated by the stunning stop-motion animation. The detail in each scene is awe-inspiring and enhanced by the music throughout. The story is basic with only mild twists that help to hold your interest, but it doesn’t have the humor or emotion to take it to the next level. For the animation alone, this movie is worth seeing in a theater but maybe make it an afternoon date with a bowl of popcorn.
