{
  "id": 16195823,
  "title": "‘Wildwood’ review: Laika's new fantasy epic is the best animated movie of the year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/wildwood-review-laikas-new-fantasy-epic-is-the-best-animated-movie-of",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T14:32:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/wildwood-review-laikas-new-fantasy-epic-is-the-best-animated-movie-of-the-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Laika's animated stop-motion epic \"Wildwood\" is undoubtedly the best movie of the year, according to Tom's Guide, which gave it a rating of 4/5 stars. The fantasy adventure, based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis, follows a teenage girl named Prue who ventures into a magical realm to save her kidnapped brother. The film's intricate world-building and memorable characters make it a towering achievement of craft and artistry. With gorgeously detailed animation and a grand scope, \"Wildwood\" taps into classic fantasy archetypes, drawing influences from \"The Lord of the Rings\" and \"The Chronicles of Narnia.\" The story, adapted by screenwriter Chris Butler, is filled with thrilling moments and emotional depth, making it both exciting and deeply moving. The voice performances are excellent, with Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Carey Mulligan delivering standout performances. The sweeping vistas of the Impassable Wilderness are dazzling, but it's the small details that truly make the film stand out. Despite its PG-13 rating and intense moments, \"Wildwood\" is a captivating, beautiful, and often heartbreaking film that gives hope for the future of handmade art.",
  "summary": "Director Travis Knight delivers a gorgeous, emotionally affecting adventure based on the novel by Colin Meloy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}