Laika’s Wildwood Brings Stop-motion Craft to the Screen

WHO:

The Verge - Nearly 50 animators worked on *Wildwood*.

The Verge - Some animators on *Wildwood* were working on their first feature film; *Coraline* had inspired some of them to enter the field.

Screen Rant - *Wildwood* director Travis Knight discussed his connection to stop-motion; cast members Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Jake Johnson, and Awkwafina described what surprised them about the film, while Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis discussed character-design changes.

The Verge - Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel worked on *Wildwood*, his first stop-motion project. Other crew members quoted include head of animation Brad Schiff, costume designer Deb Cook, and head of characters and practical effects Oliver Jones.

NBC News - NBC News reporter Chloe Melas reported on *Wildwood* and its animators.

Collider - Laika is the studio associated with its “most famous masterpiece.”

Reddit Movies - The article titles identify filmmakers and artists involved in bringing *Wildwood* to life, but the provided text does not name them.

WHAT:

The Verge - Laika’s previous film, *Missing Link*, introduced a puppet diaphragm mechanism: turning a screw on the puppet’s back makes the diaphragm expand or contract to simulate breathing. The technique became standard in the studio’s puppets.

The Verge - *Wildwood* features city characters in modern clothing and forest characters in fantastical costumes.

The Verge - Travis Knight called the film’s epic battle “probably the most technically challenging thing that we’ve ever done.”

The Verge - Laika optioned the rights to Colin Meloy’s book in 2011, and production began a decade later. Knight said he had worked on the project in some form for 16 years.

The Verge - *Wildwood* is Laika’s biggest production to date. Its story follows Prue, a girl who enters the wilderness surrounding Portland to find her baby brother.

The Verge - The film includes a 12-minute battle sequence and a chase through Portland involving a gigantic murder of crows.

The Verge - Laika developed lighter, more durable silicone and used more flexible costume fabrics. The studio also introduced a sophisticated system for tracking puppets.

NBC News - LAIKA Studios spent over six years crafting *Wildwood* by hand, using 233 puppets and more than 1,000 artists, with zero AI.

NBC News - Animators said handmade art is having a resurgence; the film is earning Oscar buzz.

Collider - *Wildwood* was built using 130 sets, according to a Collider Access feature on the film’s miniature environments.

Collider - Laika’s “most famous masterpiece” rose on streaming charts ahead of the theatrical arrival of *Wildwood*.

Reddit Movies - One article is titled “Inside Laika’s Studio, Where Artists Bring ‘Wildwood’ To Life.”

Reddit Movies - Another article is titled “‘Wildwood’ Filmmakers Detail The Long Road To Laika’s New Stop-Motion Film.”

WHERE:

The Verge - The story’s wilderness surrounds Portland.

Collider - *Wildwood* is set to arrive in theaters; the article does not specify a location.

Reddit Movies - The article title places the artists’ work at Laika’s studio; no studio location is provided.

WHY:

The Verge - Knight said he was determined to make the film because its themes of love, loss, and grief held profound personal meaning for him.

HOW:

The Verge - Laika developed lighter, more durable silicone to move away from foam latex, which can shrink and crumble over time, according to Oliver Jones.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 03:05 UTC)

Laika’s *Wildwood* is the studio’s biggest production yet, a hand-crafted stop-motion film made with 233 puppets and 130 sets. Its story follows Prue, a girl who ventures into the wilderness outside Portland to find her baby brother. Nearly 50 animators worked on the film, including some making their first feature, and the production took more than six years. Director Travis Knight said he had worked on the project in some form for 16 years, drawn to its themes of love, loss, and grief. The film features a 12-minute battle that Knight called the most technically challenging sequence the studio had attempted. Laika developed lighter, more durable silicone, flexible costume fabrics, and a system to track its puppets. The film also includes a chase through Portland involving a gigantic murder of crows, and animators say handmade art is enjoying a resurgence.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 19:00 UTC)

Laika’s *Wildwood* is its biggest production to date, a hand-crafted stop-motion film built after years of development. The studio optioned Colin Meloy’s book in 2011, and director Travis Knight says he has worked on the project in some form for 16 years. Its story follows Prue, a girl who ventures into the wilderness around Portland to find her baby brother. Knight said the themes of love, loss, and grief have profound personal meaning for him. More than 1,000 artists spent over six years making the film, using 233 puppets and 130 sets, with no AI. The production also developed lighter, more durable silicone, flexible costume fabrics, and a system for tracking puppets. The film features a 12-minute battle and a Portland chase involving a gigantic murder of crows. Cast members and crew have discussed the film’s surprises and design choices, as the handmade animation draws Oscar buzz.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 17:59 UTC)

Laika Studios spent more than six years crafting its stop-motion film *Wildwood* by hand, with over 1,000 artists and 233 puppets, and no artificial intelligence. The production also used 130 miniature sets to build the film’s environments. Animators say handmade art is experiencing a resurgence, and *Wildwood* is already earning Oscar buzz. Coverage has highlighted the artists working inside Laika’s studio and the long road filmmakers took to bring the movie to the screen. The film is set to arrive in theaters, though no specific release date or location was provided. Ahead of its theatrical arrival, Laika’s best-known masterpiece has also climbed streaming charts. The film’s detailed sets and large-scale, handmade production underscore the studio’s commitment to stop-motion animation.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 13:05 UTC)

Laika’s most famous masterpiece is climbing streaming charts as the studio’s new stop-motion film, *Wildwood*, approaches its theatrical arrival. The streaming surge comes as attention turns to the work behind the upcoming film. One feature takes viewers inside Laika’s studio, where artists are bringing *Wildwood* to life. Another focuses on the filmmakers and the long road to making the project. Together, the stories highlight both the hands-on artistry of the studio and the extended process behind its latest film. *Wildwood* is set to reach theaters, though no specific location or release date is provided. The available details also do not identify the artists or filmmakers involved. Laika is associated with the rising streaming title, described as its most famous masterpiece, but the film’s name is not specified here.