“Coraline” creators shun traditional Hollywood release strategy for new film

When established theatrical distribution models fail to deliver, innovative studios must chart a new course to connect with their fans. Laika—the stop-motion powerhouse behind Oscar-nominated hits like Coraline, ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link—is doing exactly that. Following a period of waning box office returns, the studio is bypassing the traditional major-studio route for its next feature, Wildwood. Instead, Laika is forging a strategic alliance with Fathom Entertainment for domestic distribution and FilmNation Entertainment to handle international sales.

In a recent announcement, Laika characterized this partnership as the dawn of a “new phase” for the studio. This pivot is largely inspired by the unexpected commercial vitality of their back catalog. A recent 15th-anniversary theatrical re-release of Coraline proved there is still a massive appetite for their work, earning a staggering $56 million and elevating its lifetime global total to over $185 million.

This strategic shift comes as a necessary correction; every Laika film since Coraline has struggled to match the financial heights of its predecessor. The most stark example was 2019’s Missing Link, which, despite critical acclaim, grossed only $26 million worldwide against a production budget exceeding $100 million.

The studio is now betting that a bespoke distribution plan will provide the momentum Wildwood needs. Travis Knight, Laika’s President, CEO, and the director of Wildwood, explained that the move is designed to preserve the studio’s creative autonomy. “We’re taking a more customized approach to how we bring the film to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of the project,” Knight stated. He noted that Fathom’s domestic reach combined with FilmNation’s global expertise offers the scale required to support the film’s grand vision without the constraints of the old studio system.

Wildwood is scheduled to arrive in theaters via Fathom Entertainment on October 23. While some might worry that moving away from traditional distributors hurts the cinema industry, the reality is quite the opposite. Fathom Entertainment is a joint venture owned by the nation’s three largest theater chains—AMC, Regal, and Cinemark—ensuring that Laika’s latest masterpiece remains a cornerstone of the big-screen experience.

Source: Polygon