Laika’s “Wildwood” opened to $12.2 million in North America, a result that eases worries about the future of the stop-motion studio. The film finished third for the weekend, behind DC Studios’ “Clayface” and A24’s documentary “You Can See Everything.” Distributor Fathom Entertainment had projected $11.6 million. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, and it holds a 99 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.
The numbers matter because Laika’s last feature stumbled. “Missing Link” opened to just $5.9 million in 2019 and finished with $17 million domestically. “Wildwood” has already doubled that debut, and a total above $17 million looks assured. A 3.8 multiple, matching “Kubo and the Two Strings,” would carry it to roughly $46.3 million. Fathom says Laika’s five earlier features averaged about 3.6 times their opening weekends.
Expectations had been low. Boxoffice Pro projected $6 million to $10 million, and another forecast went as low as $4.5 million. The film had no major studio behind it. Fathom handled distribution after its success with the “Coraline” re-release, which passed $51 million globally. Both companies called the “Wildwood” numbers encouraging. Laika’s marketing chief, Dave Burke, told IndieWire the results could justify adding screens beyond the opening weekend’s 2,940.
The project carries heavy stakes. Laika’s films can cost $60 million to $100 million, and “Wildwood” has been in development since 2011. Director Travis Knight adapted Colin Meloy’s novel, with Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Mahershala Ali among the voices. It runs 131 minutes, the longest stop-motion feature ever made, and it is Laika’s first film rated PG-13.
That rating gives skeptics a fair question about whether a darker, longer animated picture can find family audiences. Laika’s supporters point to its history of moody material. The studio also relies on funding tied to Nike founder Phil Knight, Travis Knight’s father, which some analysts say changes how its grosses should be read. International release comes next. The film earned $3 million from 11 overseas markets over the weekend, and Fathom expects dozens more territories in coming weeks.
