Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Breaks Records as the Longest Stop‑Motion Animated Film Ever Made.
Laika, the Oregon‑based studio known for redefining stop‑motion animation, is once again pushing the boundaries of the medium. Their upcoming feature Wildwood is already making headlines, not for its visuals or story — but for its record‑breaking runtime.
LAIKA's ‘WILDWOOD’ is the longest stop-motion animated film of all time at 2 hours and 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/43di5yOoOQ
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 19, 2026
A Historic Runtime for Stop‑Motion Cinema
Major theater chains, including AMC, have listed Wildwood with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. That’s nearly 40 minutes longer than Laika’s previous longest film, Kubo and the Two Strings, and it officially makes Wildwood the longest stop‑motion animated film ever created.
The previous record holder, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022), ran for 117 minutes. Laika’s new production surpasses it by a significant margin — a remarkable feat in a medium where every frame requires meticulous, handcrafted precision.
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Why This Matters
Stop‑motion filmmaking is notoriously labor‑intensive. Every movement, every gesture, every shift in lighting is manually crafted. Extending a film to nearly two and a half hours means thousands more frames, countless hours of animation, and an extraordinary level of dedication.
Laika has long been celebrated for its craftsmanship and storytelling — from the eerie charm of Coraline to the emotional depth of Paranorman. With Wildwood, the studio seems determined to deliver an expansive, richly detailed world worthy of its extended runtime.
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A Story Rooted in Fantasy and Adventure
Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, Wildwood transports viewers into a mysterious forest filled with magic, danger, and unforgettable characters. The book’s layered worldbuilding and epic scope likely contributed to the film’s ambitious length.
The new trailer for LAIKA's new film ‘WILDWOOD’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 19, 2026
The film follows a girl who enters a magical forbidden forest to rescue her kidnapped baby brother.
In theaters on October 23. pic.twitter.com/Qfo3jtXBZy
Will a Longer Film Mean a Better Experience?
A longer runtime doesn’t automatically guarantee a better movie — but Laika’s track record suggests that every minute will be used with intention. Their films often blend emotional storytelling with striking visuals, appealing to both children and adults. If any studio can justify a 140‑minute stop‑motion epic, it’s Laika.
Release Date
Wildwood hits theaters on October 23. Given the studio’s history of innovation and artistry, it’s poised to be one of the most significant animated releases of the year.