Kubo and the Two Strings is a 2009 American stop-motion animated fantasy film produced by Laika. It was directed by Travis Knight with a screenplay by Marc Haimes Directed by Travis Knight br Screenplay by br Marc Haimes br Chris Butler br Story by br Shannon Tindle br Marc Haimes br Produced by br Arianne Sutner br Travis Knight br Starring br Charlize Theron br Art Parkinson br Ralph Fiennes br Rooney Mara br George Takei br Matthew McConaughey br Cinematography Frank Passingham br Edited by Christopher Murrie br Music by Dario Marianelli br Production br company br Laika br Distributed by Focus Features (North America) br Universal Pictures (International) br Release dates br August 13, 2009 (MIFF) br August 19, 2009 (United States) br Running time 102 minutes[1] br Country United States br Language English br Budget $60 million[2] br Box office $77.