San Diego Comic-Con 2026 attendees, prepare to venture into the magical world of LAIKA’s Wildwood.
After several years away from the convention, the acclaimed stop-motion studio is returning to Comic-Con in 2026 with an immersive experience inspired by its upcoming animated film. Directed by Travis Knight and based on the bestselling 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, Wildwoodfollows Prue and her classmate Curtis Mehlberg as they journey into an enchanted forest outside Portland to rescue Prue’s infant brother, Mac.
Outside the Hard Rock Hotel will transform into “The Forest is Calling Portal Experience” Thursday-Sunday of the con, an immersive walkthrough debuting at San Diego Comic-Con before embarking on a nationwide tour ahead of Wildwood’s theatrical release on October 23.
The experience is designed as the first physical realization of the world of Wildwood, inviting visitors to step into the mysterious Impassable Wilderness. Guests will enter through the Wildwood Sigil, a magical symbol that serves as the gateway into the experience, before exploring a lush forest environment filled with towering evergreens, ivy, ambient sounds, and hidden artifacts pulled from the film.
Along the way, fans will spot Prue McKeel’s bicycle abandoned at the forest’s edge, Baby Mac’s wagon, and other Easter eggs inspired by the story. They’ll also take part in an interactive journey to discover which Wildwood faction they belong to, culminating in a personalized digital photo and a collectible keepsake to take home.
The experience was co-designed by Wildwood art director Matt Maldonado and Portland-based agency KAMP Grizzly, with every scenic element individually textured, painted, and handcrafted to reflect LAIKA’s signature filmmaking style. After Comic-Con, additional “portals” will begin appearing in cities across North America before the film arrives in theaters this fall.
It will be open:
- Thursday, July 23: 10am-8pm
- Friday, July 24: 10am-8pm
- Saturday, July 25: 10am-8pm
- Sunday, July 26: 10am-6pm