Laika Animation Wildwood Debuts in Third Place

The latest stop-motion feature from director Travis Knight earned $11.8 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Animation

Graphic illustration of a metal stop-motion animation armature puppet, evoking the meticulous craft of animation production. — The stop-motion film Wildwood, directed by Travis Knight, earned $11.8 million in its domestic debut, placing third at the U.S. box office. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The stop-motion animated film Wildwood earned $11.8 million in its domestic debut, securing the third-place spot at the box office. The film, directed by Travis Knight, opened across 2,779 locations and received an A CinemaScore.

Why it matters

The release is the latest project from the Hillsboro, Oregon-based studio Laika, which is known for its focus on intricate stop-motion productions. Given the film's reported $100 million production budget, its current opening performance suggests it is unlikely to generate a profit.

Wildwood earned $11.8 million during its opening weekend from 2,779 locations. This performance follows previous Laika releases such as The Missing Link, which earned $5.9 million in 2019.

The players

Laika

This is a stop-motion animation studio based in Hillsboro, Oregon, that produces feature-length films.

Travis Knight

He is the director of Wildwood and a key figure in the leadership of the animation studio Laika.

The details

Produced by the studio Laika, Wildwood represents a significant financial investment with an estimated production cost of $100 million. Despite the tepid box office start, the film has resonated with audiences, earning an A grade on CinemaScore.

October 23-25, 2026: Wildwood opened in theaters.
2009: Coraline earned $16.8 million in its opening weekend.
2012: ParaNorman earned $14.1 million in its opening weekend.
2014: The Boxtrolls earned $17.3 million in its opening weekend.
2016: Kubo and the Two Strings earned $12.6 million in its opening weekend.

Industry Dynamics

This release follows the historical precedent set by the 2019 opening of The Missing Link, which earned $5.9 million in its opening weekend. The current performance reflects the broader challenges studios face in justifying high production budgets for specialty animation.

Moviegoers can currently view Wildwood in theaters nationwide at participating locations. The film is currently playing across 2,779 screens, offering wide accessibility for those interested in the stop-motion feature.

The takeaway

Large-scale stop-motion projects continue to face significant financial hurdles in the modern theatrical landscape. Viewers interested in supporting the craft of animation may consider catching the film during its current limited theatrical window.