Laika’s stop-motion fantasy Wildwood opened to $12.27 million at the North American box office, giving the studio a promising start but leaving questions about the film’s ability to recover its reported production budget of around $100 million.

Released in U.S. theaters on October 23, 2026, through Fathom Entertainment, the animated feature finished third domestically during its opening weekend. Its strong reviews and audience ratings could help it attract more moviegoers in the weeks ahead.

Wildwood Box Office Opening Weekend Numbers

According to box office analyst Scott Mendelson, Wildwood earned approximately $4.3 million on Friday, including $1 million from previews. Saturday brought in another $4.2 million, followed by an estimated $3.7 million on Sunday, taking its domestic opening to $12.27 million.

The debut came in above the initial $11 million weekend projection. However, the result remains modest for a production reportedly costing close to $100 million, particularly before marketing and distribution expenses are considered.

The film also collected around $3 million from its early international releases, according to Mendelson’s October 26 analysis. Its worldwide total is expected to change as it reaches additional overseas markets.

Strong Reviews Could Help Wildwood Maintain Its Box Office Run

One of the film’s biggest advantages is its reception among critics and moviegoers. At the time of Mendelson’s report, Wildwood held a 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 118 reviews, alongside an average critic rating of 8.8 out of 10.

The movie also received an 87 on Metacritic, an A CinemaScore and a 5-out-of-5 PostTrak rating. PostTrak polling reported that 99% of surveyed moviegoers would recommend the film, suggesting that early audiences responded positively to the experience.

Those numbers offer encouraging signs for its theatrical future. However, strong reviews do not automatically translate into large ticket sales, and the film must reach audiences who have not yet decided to see it.

Can Wildwood Match Laika’s Previous Box Office Performances?

Laika has developed a reputation for distinctive stop-motion animation through films such as Coraline, ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings. Its movies have often relied on sustained theatrical runs rather than opening-weekend dominance.

Mendelson noted that Laika’s six previous features averaged approximately 3.6 times their opening-weekend domestic grosses. Applying that historical multiplier to Wildwood’s $12.27 million debut would put its projected domestic finish near $44 million to $45 million.

That figure is a historical comparison, not a confirmed forecast. Wildwood will need to sustain audience interest over multiple weekends to approach that level, and its performance may differ from earlier Laika releases.

The studio’s most recent feature before Wildwood was Missing Link, which arrived in 2019. The gap between releases means the studio has limited recent theatrical performance data against which to measure its latest film.

Why Wildwood’s Theatrical Performance Matters for Laika

Wildwood represents a major theatrical release for Laika and a significant test for Fathom Entertainment beyond its established business in event screenings and theatrical re-releases. The film opened across a wide North American footprint, giving it access to audiences beyond the studio’s established fan base.

Its reported production cost also raises the stakes. A domestic gross in the $40 million range would be a substantial theatrical total for an original stop-motion feature, but it would not by itself establish profitability for a production of this scale.

International ticket sales, later theatrical weeks and revenue from subsequent distribution windows will all contribute to the film’s overall commercial performance.

What Is Wildwood About?

Directed by Travis Knight and Chris Butler, Wildwood follows Prue McKeel, a young girl who ventures into an enchanted forest outside Portland, Oregon, to rescue her kidnapped younger brother.

Based on the novel by Colin Meloy, with illustrations by Carson Ellis, the film combines fantasy adventure with Laika’s handcrafted stop-motion animation. Its PG-13 rating and runtime of more than two hours also set it apart from many mainstream animated releases aimed primarily at younger children.

The film’s next challenge is to turn its strong initial reception into sustained attendance, particularly as it expands into international markets and competes for moviegoers’ attention in the weeks following its debut.