Laika sets Oct. 23 release for Wildwood with Fathom and FilmNation

Polygon reports that Laika has set an Oct. 23 release date for its next theatrical film, Wildwood, and named Fathom Entertainment as its U.S. distributor and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales. The studio behind Coraline, Paranorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, and Missing Link has seen declining global box-office returns, with every film since Coraline earning less than the one before.

A 15th anniversary rerelease of Coraline earned an additional $56 million to its worldwide total of over $185 million, while 2019's Missing Link made $26 million worldwide against a $100 million budget. In a press release, Laika said working with Fathom and FilmNation marks the beginning of a "new phase" for the studio, and Laika president and CEO Travis Knight said in a statement: "For Wildwood, we’re taking a more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project.

Partnering with Fathom’s Denver-based team brings national perspective and operational strength to the U.S. release, while working with FilmNation internationally positions the film with scale, reach, and deep expertise in global markets. It’s a strategy built specifically for Wildwood, preserving LAIKA’s independence while aligning with world-class collaborators to support the film’s ambition." Wildwood will be released in theaters via Fathom Entertainment on Oct.

Key Topics

Culture, Laika, Wildwood, Fathom Entertainment, Filmnation Entertainment, Travis Knight