Laika Studios has reached a new critical peak with the release of its latest stop-motion feature, Wildwood. The film has earned a perfect 100% Tomatometer score from 107 critics, marking a historic milestone for the studio's filmography.

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Shattering the 87% record held by Kubo and the Two Strings

The film's critical reception has set a new standard for the studio, surpassing the previous high held by Kubo and the Two Strings, which boasted an 87% audience score. According to a report from ScreenRant, Wildwood has also secured a "Verified Hot" 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes based on more than 500 verified ratings. This performance places it well ahead of other Laika titles such as Coraline (74%), ParaNorman (73%), and Missing Link (67%).

Wildwood enters a fantasy genre that has seen significant movement this year, following the massive success of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. While The Odyssey became a global powerhouse with a $1.79 billion worldwide gross, Wildwood is carving out its own niche through specialized stop-motion artistry rather than blockbuster scale.

A 16-year development cycle and 2,900 handcrafted shots

The technical scale of Wildwood rperesents a massive undertaking that was over a decade in the making. Laika Studios first optioned Colin Meloy's novel in 2010,but the project did not officially enter production until 2021. This 16-year journey from concept to screen allowed the studio to push the boundaries of what is possible in stop-motion animation .

Animation supervisor Brad Schiff revealed that the film contains 2,900 shots, a significant increase from the 1,800 shots featured in the studio's previous release, Missing Link. As ScreenRant reported, 900 of these shots are incredibly brief, lasting one second or less. Screenwriter Chris Butler also noted that the technical ambitions of the film were nearly impossible to achieve even when the first draft was written in 2014.

The PG-13 rating and 130-minute runtime challenge animation norms

The narrative of Wildwood follows 13-year-old Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, as she enters the forbidden Impassable Wilderness to rescue her brother, Mac, from a group of kidnaping crows. The film features a high-profile voice cast, including Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg, Carey Mulligan as Alexandra, Mahershala Ali as Brendan, and Awkwafina as Septima.

Due to its darker and more mature themes, the film carris a PG-13 rating, which is a rarity for major animated productions. With a 130-minute runtime, Wildwood is also notably longer than many of its predecessors. critic Liz Declan described the film as being "at once beautiful and horrifying, heartwarming and gut-wrenching," suggesting that the film's depth is a primary driver of its critical success.

Can Wildwood bridge the gap to a Best Picture nomination?

While the film's critical success is undeniable, its long-term impact on the Academy Awards remains an open question. there is significant social media discussion regarding whether the film is worthy of a Best Picture nomination, a feat that has not been accomplished by an animated film since Toy Story 3 in 2011. While the film is a heavy favorite for a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 2027 Academy Awards, the leap to the top general category remains unproven.