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‘Wildwood’ review: Laika's new fantasy epic is the best animated movie of the year

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‘Wildwood’ review: Laika's new fantasy epic is the best animated movie of the year

At a time when human-created art seems to be under constant attack, I find it extremely heartening that 2026 has been a great year for stop-motion animation, an art form that involves an extraordinary amount of human labor and creativity. As much as I enjoyed Aardman’s “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” last month, Laika’s new stop-motion epic “Wildwood” is easily the best animated movie of the year, and one of my favorite 2026 movies of any type. It’s a towering achievement of craft and artistry, and it’s also a deeply moving story with memorable characters and intricate world-building.

  • Rating: 4/5 Stars
  • Verdict: Fantasy epic “Wildwood” is the best movie yet from stop-motion animation studio Laika. Its story of a teenage girl venturing into a magical land to retrieve her kidnapped brother is exciting, intense and rousing, with gorgeously detailed animation and a grand scope.
  • Where to watch: Now playing in theaters

Adapted from the 2011 novel written by Colin Meloy of the Decemberists and illustrated by Carson Ellis, “Wildwood” is set in a fantastical world that exists right alongside Portland, Oregon, where seemingly ordinary teen Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) travels to rescue her toddler brother Mac (Arthur Knight) from the clutches of an evil ruler.

The story provides the perfect showcase for Laika’s handiwork, allowing director Travis Knight and his team to create a range of amazingly detailed characters and settings, adding up to a breathtaking cinematic experience.

” Prue and her family live a seemingly simple life in bohemian Portland, but there’s something ominous about the fables that Prue’s father (Jake Johnson) reads to her about the Impassable Wilderness just outside the city.


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