Brief
Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Leads the 2026 Oscar Animated Feature Field
Laika’s stop‑motion feature Wildwood is the most‑favoured contender for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards, according to industry insiders.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Laika Studios’ stop‑motion feature Wildwood is the most‑favoured contender for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards, with industry insiders saying it is the race’s frontrunner. The film, scheduled for release on 23 October, follows a teenager who ventures into a magical forest to rescue her brother from dark forces.
Competition from Major Franchises
Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is also in the mix, with the studio expected to campaign heavily after the franchise’s previous two entries won the award. Brad Bird’s latest directorial effort, Ray Gunn, a Netflix noir thriller starring Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, is another potential nominee, with Bird noting that animated films need not be aimed solely at children.
Indie and International Contenders
Laika’s track record of five prior nominations for Best Animated Feature, including Coraline and Missing Link, gives Wildwood a strong pedigree. Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is another contender, with its previous two films earning nominations and the UK’s Nick Park described as a “hero” by an awards source.
Industry Context
Laika’s use of stop‑motion blended with CGI has been highlighted in recent coverage, and the studio’s release strategy includes behind‑the‑scenes content for fans. The Academy’s Best Animated Feature category, first awarded in 2002, has seen a mix of franchise and independent films.
Key facts
- Wildwood is scheduled for release on 23 October 2026 (nypost.com)
- Wildwood is a stop‑motion film by Laika (nypost.com)
- Toy Story 5 is a contender for Best Animated Feature (nypost.com)
- Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn is a Netflix film that may be nominated (nypost.com)
- Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is an Aardman Animation contender (nypost.com)
Background
Felo News previously covered Wildwood’s trailer on 17 September 2026, noting its stop‑motion technique and release date.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape the future of independent animation studios competing against major franchises.
What happens next
The Academy will announce the nominees on 14 November 2026, with the ceremony scheduled for 14 March 2027.
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Inside this year’s Oscar race for Best Animated Feature, as indie upstarts like ‘Wildwood’ take on ‘Toy Story 5’”
