LAIKA Will Premiere Wildwood Feature Film
The Portland-based studio debuts its latest stop-motion project in the U.S. and U.K. on October 23, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Animation
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Local film fans and animation enthusiasts will see downtown Portland and Forest Park brought to life when LAIKA releases the stop-motion film Wildwood on October 23, 2026. The 130-minute feature explores a magical realm centered within the city's iconic landmarks.
Why it matters
The film brings Portland's distinctive geography and local landscapes to a global audience through the detailed model making of the city's own LAIKA studio. As a 2026 awards season contender, the project highlights the continued role of the metro area in the animation industry.
The production spans a 130-minute runtime and centers on a 12-year-old protagonist navigating a magical version of the city. While the film is a confirmed player in the 2026 awards season, the total production investment figure remains unknown.
The players
LAIKA
A Portland-based animation studio recognized for its stop-motion film productions.
Travis Knight
The director of the film Wildwood.
Colin Meloy
The author of the novel upon which the film is based.
The details
Directed by Travis Knight and based on the novel by Colin Meloy, the film uses stop-motion animation to recreate the personality of Portland. The PG-13 production features voice work from Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee. It serves as a visual homage to Forest Park and the downtown core, rendered through the studio's specialized model-making techniques.
Timeline
2026: The film Wildwood was produced.
October 23, 2026: The film is released in the US and UK.
Beyond the Bridges
Wildwood follows the established tradition of LAIKA's previous stop-motion feature film productions. This release marks the latest entry in a body of work that has defined the studio's technical approach to animation over the last decade.
Residents can look for familiar landmarks and the geography of Forest Park reimagined on the big screen this fall. The film provides a local take on the fantasy genre as it hits theaters on October 23, 2026.
The takeaway
Portlanders should keep an eye on how the film captures the specific personality of downtown locations through stop-motion. Watch for local screenings when the film debuts on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
Read more about local film projects in our Animation section.
Live Poll
Would you choose to see a stop-motion animated film in theaters instead of streaming one?
