Stepping Into a New World in Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Teaser Trailer

For any animation fans out there, October 23, 2026 is a day you’ll want to block off in your calendar. It is currently set as the release date for Laika Studio‘s newest film, “Wildwood.” Previously, Laika has made a name for itself with hits like “Coraline” and “Paranorman,” and now, while fans eagerly anticipate the studio’s “Piranesi” adaptation, it’s rolling out yet another book-to-movie adaptation. “Wildwood” is the first book in a middle-grade trilogy written by Colin Meloy. The story follows a young girl named Prue McKeel as she sets out on a treacherous journey to save her little brother. Along the way, she enlists the help of her friend, Curtis. Together, the two venture into Wildwood and uncover a world of magic, both dark and light.

The Book

“Wildwood” may be marketed as a middle-grade novel, but don’t be fooled by the label. Much like “Coraline,” this book appeals to all ages. The story itself has the hallmarks of a classic fantasy with its unlikely hero and fight against evil. Yet, it still manages to find its own unique take on the traditional. Meloy’s writing style stands out in its attention to detail. The setting is clearly realized without crossing the line to purple prose. From the rainy skies and neighborhood taquerias of Portland, Oregon to the dark shadows of Wildwood looming at the edge of town, it’s easy to feel yourself there. This is one of the reasons the novel lends itself to Laika’s animation style, which is famous for being incredibly detail-oriented.

Characterization is the the other major draw for this story. From the very first page, Prue’s personality stands out. In some ways, she is similar to Coraline. Both characters have certain wry humor and penchant for sarcasm about them that adds a layer of levity to scenes. Prue’s humor comes through both in her internal monologue and witty remarks aimed at the adults around her. But when she’s not joking about roughing up old ladies with her baby brother, we see that she’s also very intelligent and fiercely loyal, despite her headstrong nature suggesting otherwise at first.

Curtis, a classmate of Prue’s who she is hesitant to take on the journey, is another central character in “Wildwood.” the book offers both character’s perspectives as they rush to rescue Prue’s brother, Mac. This will be interesting to see play out in the movie as the two’s intertwined journeys are equally intriguing. The novel uses them to grapple with the gray area between good and evil.

The Trailer

As the trailer opens, we meet Prue and her family at the dinner table. While in the book, illustrator Carson Ellis draws Prue with short black hair, Laika has adapted her with long reddish-brown hair. This could be an attempt to differentiate her appearance from Coraline as the latter is such an iconic protagonist. Whatever the reason, it seems there’s only room for one dark-colored bob around here. But beyond hair color, the character design overall is an immediate stand-out. Laika is know for its painstaking attention to detail, crafting each figure by hand. The studio proudly announces the fact in the trailer itself. The text reads “from the hands that created Coraline.” In a world where artificial intelligence is casting an ever-growing shadow over the arts, it’s refreshing to see creators celebrating the humanity behind their work.

That humanity is evident in the smallest details. Take the bags under Prue’s eyes or the smile lines and stray hairs that adorn other characters. While some might question why a tween would have eye bags, I think the choice is a good one. Rather than presenting a perfectly polished image of reality, these imperfections make the film live and breathe. The environment captures the same sense of reality, from details like the vibrant PNW foliage, down to the cracks in the asphalt streets.

As the trailer progresses, scenes cut between Prue and her brother and darkly-lit glimpses into the Impassible Wilderness. At first, the contrast between dark and light sets up the typical good versus evil dichotomy. But if you pay attention to what’s going on in the scenes, particularly of the young boy in the forest, you’ll catch a glimpse of the nuance yet to come. This, coupled with the small moments of other mystical characters that flash by, make the film look to be yet another promising film by Laika.