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Wildwood

Wildwood

How far would you go for those you love?

2026132 minPG-13Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Director
Travis Knight
Starring
Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali

Prue and her classmate Curtis are drawn into a magical forest filled with enchanted creatures, loyal allies, and formidable adversaries as they embark on a desperate quest to rescue Prue's abducted baby brother from a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Wildwood?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Wildwood on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Wildwood?

Wildwood earns 7 badges, led by Top 1% of films and Universally Loved.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Wildwood worth watching?

Wildwood's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all films, from 972 ratings across 2 sources. 92% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of films

99th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)99th
Approval (how many liked it)99th

88 /100

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

92% liked it

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2020s
92% rated it 7–108% rated it 1–6

80th percentile

918 ratings across platforms

61st percentile among Animation80th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 23 days to Oct 26Up 928% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

It is a visual and technical marvel of stop-motion animation with extraordinary craft on display.

Fans praised

  • jaw-dropping stop-motion craftsmanship and unparalleled visual detail
  • deeply immersive world-building and atmospheric fairy-tale tone
  • emotionally resonant story with mature themes handled with courage

Detractors panned

  • weak character writing — protagonists and supporting cast feel flat or clichéd
  • a beautiful film with nothing underneath the surface; fails to connect emotionally

What stands out

Cinematography95

Exquisite visual artistry in every frame

AtmosphereDivisive95

Fully lived-in, immersive fairy-tale world

Effects and spectacle90

Unprecedented stop-motion action and epic scale

Sound and music85

Brilliant score from Dario Marianelli, superb sound design

ActingDivisive80

Stellar voice cast brings characters to life

Emotional impactDivisive60

Fans deeply moved; detractors find no emotional connection

CharactersDivisive55

Fans cite depth; detractors say one-dimensional and clichéd

Plot and storyDivisive55

Compelling epic for fans; basic and poorly structured for detractors

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Wildwood like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, has a few laughs and leaves you fired up. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseTriumphantWarm
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
Epic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.Warm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its fantasy adventure completely straight, delivering earnest emotion and high-stakes conflict through meticulous craft.
The rideThe film starts with the inciting incident, builds tension through the journey, and becomes most intense and violent in its final third.
StructureA conventional linear adventure story following Prue from departure through trials to return, with no reported nonlinear elements.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you inspired by its heroism and moved by its emotional core, carrying a sense of wonder and belief in love.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

with Voyage and return underneath

Why this archetypePrue's journey to rescue her kidnapped brother from a magical forest is a clear rescue quest, with the return home at the end implying a voyage and return structure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsSacrifice · 4% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film is driven by a sister's love for her brother, pushing her into danger and requiring sacrifice.
StanceThe film affirms the strength of family bonds as Prue risks everything to save her brother.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanWildernessFantasy
Orchestral classicalForeground music · original score · Dario Marianelli
Settingthe magical Wildwood forest just outside Portland
MusicMarianelli's sweeping score enhances the epic and emotional dimensions of the stop-motion adventure.

Content guide

Is Wildwood okay for kids?

PG-13

Wildwood is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for strong fantasy violence/bloody images, thematic material, suicide-related material, brief partial nudity and language” (MPAA). As of October 23, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (69/100), sexual content at moderate (36/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at intense (68/100). Overall it is heavier than 84% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12A
  • Brazil12
  • ArgentinaATP
  • CLTE+7
  • CzechiaU
  • Italy6+
  • LV7+
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands9
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia12+
  • SingaporePG13
  • South Africa10-12PG
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • UA0+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 53% of all filmsHeavier than 84% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 91%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 65%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 26%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 34%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 88%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Wildwood have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Wildwood?

Cast

Peyton Elizabeth Lee
as Prue
Jacob Tremblay
as Curtis
Carey Mulligan
as Alexandra
Mahershala Ali
as Brendan
Angela Bassett
as The General
Awkwafina
as Septima
Jake Johnson
as Dad
Charlie Day
as Dmitri
Amandla Stenberg
as Niamh
Jemaine Clement
as Roger

Crew

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What are movies like Wildwood?

TMDB's suggestions for movies like Wildwood include Swapped (2026), Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2013) and James and the Giant Peach (1996).

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Wildwood?

567 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: fairy tale. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.