Wildwood (2026) Review: The Art of Stop-Motion

Film Review / Animation / 2026

There is something special about watching artists who genuinely love what they do. That passion comes through in LAIKA’s Wildwood, an ambitious stop-motion fantasy filled with extraordinary craftsmanship and heart.

Directed by Travis Knight and based on Colin Meloy’s novel, Wildwood follows Prue McKeel into a mysterious forest to rescue her kidnapped baby brother. The premise reminded me of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, but the film develops its own identity through imaginative characters and an antagonist whose motivations invite some sympathy.

The storytelling is compelling, the humor lands in places, and the characters have an emotional depth that makes their miniature world feel remarkably alive.

When the Artists Show Off

There were moments when I became so absorbed in the story that I forgot I was watching stop-motion animation. Then a particular shot would make me stop and appreciate the work behind it.

That’s not a criticism. As a photographer, I enjoy recognizing exceptional craftsmanship while remaining invested in the story.

The climactic battle is enormous, with real consequences for its characters. And one spectacular sequence involving countless swirling leaves felt like LAIKA was deliberately flexing its technical abilities.

I loved it.

Five Years of Craftsmanship

The production is remarkable. Visual-effects supervisor Steve Emerson reported more than five years from the start of stage animation through final visual-effects delivery, involving 223 handcrafted puppets, 132 practical sets and more than 142,000 replacement faces.

Digital visual effects complement the physical animation, while Knight has publicly rejected generative AI as part of LAIKA’s creative process.

At a time when instant results are increasingly valued, watching what a team of artists can accomplish through years of painstaking work is particularly satisfying.

A Few Rough Edges

At approximately 132 minutes, Wildwood occasionally runs longer than necessary. Some earlier action sequences feel extended beyond what the story requires, and the humor is uneven.

Those are minor criticisms. The spectacular finale earns its scale, and the story remains engaging throughout.

What stayed with me most was the passion visible in the finished film. Every puppet, environment and carefully staged movement reflects the contributions of people who clearly value their craft.

Wildwood is an entertaining fantasy and an impressive demonstration of what artists can accomplish when given the time to create something extraordinary.

Wildwood (2026) · Directed by Travis Knight · Written by Chris Butler · Based on the novel by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis · Produced by LAIKA · U.S. theatrical distribution by Fathom Entertainment.