Wildwood (2026) Review: A Handmade Forest Worth Getting Lost In

This Wildwood review starts with a simple point: Travis Knight's new animated adventure is a handmade spectacle that aims for classic status. It is a stop-motion fantasy about love, loss and how far a child will go for family. Audiences have responded warmly, though not everyone is won over by the story.

Wildwood Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Wildwood plot begins in the real world. Prue McKeel's baby brother is taken by a murder of crows, and she follows them into a hidden forest that most people never see. Her classmate Curtis Mehlberg tags along, and the two soon meet enchanted creatures, loyal allies and formidable enemies.

At the center of the danger is a mysterious woman named Alexandra. The film's tagline asks, "How far would you go for those you love?" That question drives everything in the first act. For more films in this vein, browse our Fantasy movie reviews.

What Works in Wildwood

The craft is the headline. Wildwood is an animated adventure built by hand, and reception has been full of praise for how fluid and detailed the stop-motion looks. Even one lukewarm viewer admitted it is a technical marvel, with animation so smooth it could pass for computer-generated work.

The look is painterly and rich. Caleb Deschanel's cinematography has drawn special praise from admirers, as has Dario Marianelli's score. Several fans single out the climactic battle as a major set piece, though I won't say more.

• A painterly color palette that gives the forest a storybook glow

• Fluid, ambitious stop-motion that rewards a big screen

• A score and camera work that lift the emotional moments

If you like visually rich stories, our Animation movie reviews page has more to explore.

Wildwood Cast and Performances

The Wildwood cast is strong, all in voice roles. Peyton Elizabeth Lee voices Prue, and Jacob Tremblay plays Curtis. Early admirers say the two carry satisfying character arcs.

Carey Mulligan voices Alexandra, and viewers have called her work both frightening and sad. Mahershala Ali plays Brenden, Angela Bassett voices The General, and Awkwafina is Septima. That is a deep bench for an animated film, and it gives the forest's inhabitants real personality.

Where Wildwood Stumbles

The biggest complaint concerns the writing. Some viewers find the characters thin and the supporting players a bit clichéd. One critic also felt the film sends conflicting messages and that Prue accepts magic too easily, despite saying she doesn't believe in it.

The parents' choices also drew criticism as illogical. At 132 minutes, the film asks for patience, and a story that doesn't connect emotionally may feel long. Those points won't bother everyone, but they keep it from being a flawless fable.

Is Wildwood Worth Watching?

Yes, Wildwood is worth watching, especially if you value big-screen craftsmanship and a heartfelt family-in-peril quest. Its visuals, score and voice cast give it a clear advantage over many animated releases. The Wildwood release date is October 23, 2026, and it is rated PG-13.

The story may not satisfy everyone, and some will find the characters underdeveloped. But the emotional hook is clear, and the filmmaking is ambitious enough to carry most viewers through. It's a strong pick among recent Adventure movie reviews titles. You can also read more background on the film on IMDb.

Who Will Enjoy Wildwood

• Fans of Laika and Travis Knight's earlier stop-motion work

• Older kids, teens and adults who like dark-edged fantasy quests

• Viewers who appreciate handmade animation and sweeping scores