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LAIKA, the studio behind Coraline<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0ParaNorman<\/i>, announced today that it has partnered with Fathom Entertainment for U.S. theatrical distribution and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales on its upcoming stop-motion feature film\u00a0Wildwood<\/i><\/strong>. The film will open in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The announcement reflects a new phase for LAIKA, as the studio expands its global distribution approach for\u00a0Wildwood<\/em>\u00a0through a combination of independent strategy and best-in-class partners. International sales will launch next month at the European Film Market in Berlin, where FilmNation Entertainment will introduce the film to buyers across international territories.<\/p>\n \u201cWildwood\u00a0<\/i>is a testament to LAIKA walking its own path,\u201d said David Burke, the studio\u2019s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer. \u201cFor\u00a0Wildwood,<\/i>\u00a0we\u2019re taking a more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project. Partnering with Fathom\u2019s Denver-based team brings national perspective and operational strength to the U.S. release, while working with FilmNation internationally positions the film with scale, reach, and deep expertise in global markets. It\u2019s a strategy built specifically for\u00a0Wildwood<\/i>, preserving LAIKA\u2019s independence while aligning with world-class collaborators to support the film\u2019s ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n The partnership with Fathom builds on the success of LAIKA\u2019s recent theatrical re-releases, including the 15th anniversary return of\u00a0Coraline<\/i> and a limited engagement of ParaNorman <\/i>(Remastered). With\u00a0Coraline<\/i> earning $56 million worldwide, these performances underscore sustained fan demand to experience LAIKA on the big screen and reflect the studio\u2019s long-view approach to movie-going, creating renewed audience engagement over time by returning its films to theaters, where they were made to be experienced.<\/p>\n Fathom Entertainment, based in Denver, will handle a full theatrical release across the United States, kicking off October 23.<\/p>\n \u201cWildwood<\/em> is a magnificently ambitious stop motion film and a landmark achievement in handcrafted cinematic artistry \u2014 a project that means so much to both LAIKA and Fathom Entertainment. It\u2019s a breathtaking creative feat that will captivate audiences when it arrives on the big screen this October 23rd,\u201d said Ray Nutt, CEO at Fathom Entertainment. \u201cFathom is elated to build on our past theatrical re-release successes with LAIKA, including Coraline<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0ParaNorman<\/em>, and to be selected and entrusted as the distributor for a full, nationwide U.S. theatrical release of\u00a0Wildwood\u00a0<\/em>consistent with that of the legacy Hollywood studios, complemented by the innovation Fathom brings to all its theatrical engagements. Distributing\u00a0Wildwood<\/em>\u00a0to U.S. theatres further exemplifies Fathom Entertainment\u2019s growth and evolution into a full-service specialty theatrical distributor.\u201d<\/p>\n Tickets for\u00a0Wildwood<\/i> in the United States will be available later this summer via Fathom Entertainment<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0participating theatre box offices (theatre locations are subject to change). Fans can sign up\u00a0now<\/a>\u00a0to be among the first notified when\u00a0tickets go on sale.<\/strong><\/p>\n Internationally, LAIKA has partnered with FilmNation Entertainment, a leading independent entertainment company that produces, finances, and distributes films and series with global reach. FilmNation\u2019s recent slate includes\u00a0Anora\u00a0<\/i>and\u00a0Conclave<\/i>, with past credits including\u00a0Promising Young Woman<\/i>,\u00a0Arrival<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0The Big Sick<\/i>. FilmNation will represent LAIKA\u2019s\u00a0Wildwood\u00a0<\/i>across international territories, beginning with the European Film Market in Berlin.<\/p>\n \u201cLAIKA is synonymous with originality and imagination, and\u00a0Wildwood\u00a0<\/i>is the studio\u2019s most extraordinary film to date,\u201d said Glen Basner, FilmNation CEO & Founder. \u201cLAIKA\u2019s superfans around the world, who most recently enjoyed the fantastic re-release of Coraline <\/i>and ParaNorman<\/i>, will be lining up for this new adventure. We are thrilled to introduce Wildwood\u00a0<\/i>to international distributors who are ready to join the spectacular world of LAIKA.\u201d<\/p>\n Wildwood<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong>is a handcrafted epic fantasy that transports audiences into a secret, dangerously alive world. A girl\u2019s desperate quest to save her baby brother becomes a high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest filled with enchanted creatures, unlikely allies and formidable adversaries, where an entire hidden realm hangs in the balance. The project is proclaimed by the studio to be its most ambitious and globally accessible feat of hand-crafted, cinematic storytelling to date.<\/p>\n \u201cWildwood<\/i>\u00a0is the biggest world LAIKA has ever built, and the most personal,\u201d said Travis Knight, President and Chief Executive Officer of LAIKA and director of\u00a0Wildwood<\/i>. \u201cIt\u2019s a story about the pull of the unknown, the courage it takes to step into it, and who you become along the way. Our movie is a celebration of artistry over algorithms, and of the belief that films made by hand, with enormous care, can still feel bold, surprising, dangerous and alive. We designed Wildwood <\/i>to be seen the way movies first captured our imaginations: discovered in the dark, on a big screen, with a room full of fellow dreamers experiencing joy, silence, and wonder together. Partnering with Fathom and FilmNation means\u00a0Wildwood\u00a0<\/i>will arrive with intention \u2014 as a true cinematic event meant to be shared.\u201d<\/p>\n Synopsis:<\/strong>\u00a0Beyond Portland, Oregon\u2019s city limits lies Wildwood. You\u2019re not supposed to go there. You\u2019re not even supposed to know it exists. But Prue McKeel is about to enter this enchanted wonderland. Her baby brother Mac has been taken by a murder of crows into the forest\u2019s depths, and she \u2014 along with her hapless classmate Curtis \u2014 is going to get him back. Prue might think she\u2019s too old for fairytales, but she\u2019s just found herself at the center of one. One filled with strange talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions.<\/p>\n Wildwood<\/i>\u00a0is a tale of love, loss, sacrifice and secrets, and of the magic you can find on your doorstep, if you\u2019re willing to look for it.<\/p>\n The voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant.<\/p>\n