It is official—LAIKA Studios’ epic stop-motion fantasy Wildwood will kick off AFI FEST 2026 with its U.S. premiere at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The event, slated for Wednesday, October 21, will mark the film’s U.S. premiere following its world premiere earlier that month at the 70th BFI London Film Festival.
Adapted from the beloved novel by Colin Meloy, Wildwood is a beautifully layered story about love, sacrifice, and the beauty that lives beyond the known. Boasting a stacked voice cast led by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Carey Mulligan, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant, the film is set to make a triumphant landing in the heart of Hollywood just ahead of its October 23 theatrical release.
The story centers on a young girl named Prue (Lee), who launches a desperate rescue mission to save her brother from a murder of crows. Joined by her classmate Curtis (Tremblay), she is pulled into a forbidden forest outside of Portland, Oregon, where she encounters enchanted creatures at every turn.
The 40th edition of AFI FEST will take place from October 21–25. While no other features have been announced, last year’s offerings included Bugonia, Jay Kelly, The Testament of Ann Lee, and the world premiere of Sing Song Blue.
