Laika‘s animated feature “Wildwood” has officially surpassed the impressive milestone of $60 million in global box office sales. This comes after an initial slow start, but the film, directed by Travis Knight, has now grossed a solid $41.86 million in the U.S. and Canada, paired with $19.06 million across 49 international markets.
Strong Performance Despite Challenges
In its third weekend, “Wildwood” demonstrated resilience, achieving $7.21 million in North America. Notably, this represented a 20% decline from the previous weekend; however, it was achieved with a 13% reduction in the number of theaters showing the film. Such strong hold-over business has allowed it to secure the position of the number 2 holdover in the box office. Despite this progress, the film is still a distance from recouping its reported $100 million production budget.
A Chart-Topping Achievement for Fathom Entertainment
With almost $40 million earned domestically, “Wildwood” is now the most successful release to date for Fathom Entertainment. The film has outperformed the entire domestic box office run of DreamWorks/Universal’s “Forgotten Island” and is performing better than “The Boy and the Heron” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” at similar points in their theatrical releases. “Wildwood” is set to remain in 2,198 North American theaters for its fourth weekend.
Audience Reception and Marketing Insights
David Burke, Laika’s chief marketing and operations officer as well as the film’s executive producer, commented, “A PG-13 fantasy told in stop-motion is a rare thing to find in a theatre. That’s part of the appeal of ‘Wildwood,’ and it’s also why a recommendation from someone who’s seen it carries so much weight. What’s encouraging about this third weekend is that audiences are now making the case for the film in their own words.”
Jason Brenek, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, added, “‘Wildwood’ is maintaining its strong Fall box office performance and theatrical success, surpassing the Fathom feature film box office record previously held by Laika’s 15th anniversary re-release of ‘Coraline’ in 2024.” He also hinted that there is “much more to come from this great film.”
A Journey Through the Enchanted Wilderness
“Wildwood,” inspired by Colin Meloy’s novel, tells the captivating story of headstrong teenager Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee. When her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, Prue embarks on a perilous rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest nestled just outside Portland, Oregon. Teaming up with her loyal but hapless classmate Curtis Mehlberg (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), Prue navigates a fantastical world populated by talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures fueled by grief and ambition. As they become embroiled in a conflict that could alter the very balance of the forest, Prue must confront formidable challenges to save her brother and protect the future of Wildwood.
International Sales and Global Appeal
The international sales for “Wildwood” are being managed by FilmNation Entertainment. Glen Basner, founder and CEO of FilmNation Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm regarding the film’s reception, stating, “We’ve seen a resounding response from global audiences to Laika’s spectacular and unique world of ‘Wildwood.’ With more countries still to release, we know the enthusiasm for this extraordinary film, and the studio’s unmatched artistry, will continue to grow.”
