Forgotten Island
Step into a world where ancient folklore meets modern storytelling in "Forgotten Island," DreamWorks Animation's acclaimed film. This vibrant adventure transports audiences to a mystical realm brimming with creatures from Philippine mythology, all through the lens of a powerful friendship. It's a journey that challenges what we know about animation and celebrates cultural heritage, making it a standout in cinematic history. "Forgotten Island" masterfully weaves a coming-of-age story within the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology, introducing audiences to a pantheon of lesser-known, fascinating creatures. The film breaks new ground in animation by blending contemporary CGI with stylized 2D sequences inspired by 90s anime, often animated by Filipino artists themselves, to reflect character memories and cultural roots. At its heart, it's a profound exploration of friendship's complexities, fears of abandonment, and the sacrifices we make for those we cherish, set against a backdrop of breathtaking fantasy.
AI Summary
Step into a world where ancient folklore meets modern storytelling in "Forgotten Island," DreamWorks Animation's acclaimed film. This vibrant adventure transports audiences to a mystical realm brimming with creatures from Philippine mythology, all through the lens of a powerful friendship. It's a journey that challenges what we know about animation and celebrates cultural heritage, making it a standout in cinematic history.
- "Forgotten Island" masterfully weaves a coming-of-age story within the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology, introducing audiences to a pantheon of lesser-known, fascinating creatures.
- The film breaks new ground in animation by blending contemporary CGI with stylized 2D sequences inspired by 90s anime, often animated by Filipino artists themselves, to reflect character memories and cultural roots.
- At its heart, it's a profound exploration of friendship's complexities, fears of abandonment, and the sacrifices we make for those we cherish, set against a backdrop of breathtaking fantasy.
Welcome to Forgotten Island
In 2026, DreamWorks Animation unveiled "Forgotten Island," an animated fantasy comedy film directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1990s Philippines, it tells the captivating story of two best friends, Jo and Raissa, who stumble into a legendary, mystical world they'd only heard whispers of.
The inspiration for this unique film came directly from Crawford and Mercado's own enduring friendship. They combined this personal bond with a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology, creating a narrative that feels both universally relatable and uniquely specific.
Even before its full release, "Forgotten Island" garnered significant buzz, receiving early work-in-progress screenings at major events like CinemaCon and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Critics hailed its stunning visuals and groundbreaking cultural representation, with many calling it one of DreamWorks Animation's finest achievements.
A Friendship Forged in Folklore
Our story begins in 1990s Philippines, introducing Jo Yuson, a spirited girl who captivates her class with a tale of the mythical island of Nakali and its fearsome resident, the Manananggal. When a classmate's mockery leads to a schoolyard scuffle, Jo finds an unexpected ally in Raissa Molina.
Their bond deepens at a sleepover hosted by Jo's grandmother, Fatima, a wise woman who shares her own incredible tales of having traveled to Nakali. The girls forge matching charm bracelets, each charm a memento of their growing friendship, a bond that becomes even more precious after Fatima's passing leaves Jo heartbroken.
Years later, as high school graduation looms, a new challenge emerges: Raissa announces her plans to attend Caltech in America, a decision that deeply unsettles Jo. At Raissa's farewell party, Jo overhears Raissa's mother's disapproval of their close friendship, fueling Jo's anxieties about being left behind.
Seeking solace, the friends sneak off to the beach, where Jo discovers a magical sand dollar — a shimmering portal to the fabled Nakali. Despite Raissa's hesitation, they step through, awakening the next morning with no memory of their journey and a shocking transformation: Raissa has grown the wings of a Manananggal!
They quickly encounter the Manananggal, named Manang, who attacks them, desperate to reclaim her lost wings. A timely rescue comes from Batiba, a tree-dwelling Batibat demon, who offers to return them home in exchange for their cherished charm bracelets and the memories they hold. Refusing to part with their shared history, the girls flee, finding an unlikely guide in Raww, a friendly were-aspin who claims to have spent the previous night with them.
Their quest for a way home leads them through Nakali's vibrant, perilous landscapes. They meet Bungi, a Tiyanak — a mischievous infant demon — who informs them the 'Jewel of the Sea' (their sand dollar) was stolen by a Duwende king. The trio continues their journey, facing both wonder and deception, ultimately realizing Nakali hides far more secrets than they could have imagined.
In their travels, they uncover a shocking truth: Raww, their seemingly loyal guide, works for Batiba. It turns out Batiba is not just any Batibat, but a demon consumed by agoraphobia, perpetually trapped in her cave. She lives vicariously through the stolen memories of others, offering passage home in return for their most precious experiences.
Raww confesses that he lured Jo and Raissa to Batiba that fateful night, after which they surrendered their memories of their time on Nakali. This heartbreaking revelation exposes the true cost of their forgotten adventure and the profound deception at its core.
Batiba recaptures the girls and, in a cruel twist, restores their stolen memories. Jo, consumed by the fear of losing Raissa to Caltech, had hidden the sand dollar after Batiba initially gave it to them, effectively trapping them in Nakali. Furious at the betrayal, Raissa's friendship with Jo shatters, and she leaves to retrieve the sand dollar herself.
During her desperate search, Raissa is attacked by Manang, who reclaims her wings. But Jo appears, revealing her ultimate sacrifice: she offered Batiba all her memories of their friendship in exchange for Raissa's safety. Raissa is sent back to the Philippines, leaving Jo behind in a now memory-less Nakali.
Back on the beach, a remorseful Raissa adds a leftover firecracker to her bracelet, a final symbol of their vibrant bond, which miraculously reopens the portal to Nakali. Reconciling with Raww, she dives into Jo's fading memories, desperately searching for her friend.
Within Jo's fragmented past, Raissa passionately admits how profoundly their friendship shaped her, mending their broken bond. Manang arrives, but Batiba, witnessing the true power of their rekindled connection, finally understands the value of memories. She willingly returns Manang's stolen memories, calming the fearsome creature.
With peace restored, Jo finally accepts Raissa's decision to pursue her dreams at Caltech, understanding that true friendship transcends distance. The girls head home, while Batiba, no longer fearing the outside world, steps out of her cave for the very first time, embracing a future free from her agoraphobia.
A few years later, Jo, now a published author with a book detailing their Nakali adventures, visits Raissa at Caltech. Before returning home, they use their magical bracelets to reopen the portal, promising a future of endless adventures and a friendship that will truly never be forgotten.
Voices and Vision
The film boasts an impressive voice cast, bringing its colorful characters to life. H.E.R. lends her voice to the feisty Jo Yuson, while Liza Soberano portrays the ambitious Raissa Molina. Dave Franco charms as the hapless Raww, and Jenny Slate masterfully crafts the complex Batiba.
The legendary Lea Salonga voices the formidable Manang, the dreaded Manananggal, while Dolly de Leon portrays Jo's wise grandmother, Lola Fatima. Comedy talents like Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng also feature, alongside Manny Jacinto as the mischievous Bungi and other notable Filipino actors, celebrating a rich tapestry of talent.
Behind the Animation
DreamWorks Animation officially announced "Forgotten Island" in April 2025, with directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who had a long history together at the studio since "Kung Fu Panda 2," at the helm. Their shared friendship became the very bedrock of the film's central theme.
The film's animation style is a visual feast, reminiscent of DreamWorks' critically acclaimed "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." Mercado and Crawford drew inspiration from authentic Filipino art and the vibrant graphic design of the 1990s, giving the film a distinct and memorable aesthetic.
One of "Forgotten Island's" most innovative features is its dynamic shift in animation style. While primarily utilizing contemporary computer-generated animation, the film periodically transitions into anime-influenced 2D sequences for flashbacks, a deliberate homage to beloved 90s anime like "Dragon Ball Z" and "Sailor Moon."
Crucially, these stylized 2D sequences were animated by Manila-based studio Snipple Animation. This choice not only lent authenticity to the film's visual storytelling but also proudly reflected the long history of Philippine studios contributing to outsourced anime series, highlighting local talent as the project's foundation.
The Sounds of Nakali
Composer Nathan Matthew David embarked on an immersive journey through the Philippines to craft the film's unique score. He researched indigenous music, spending time with the Cordillera and Kalinga people, and the T'boli people in Lake Sebu, ensuring every note resonated with cultural authenticity.
David even recorded the 19th-century Bamboo Organ in Las Piñas, Metro Manila, an instrument made entirely of bamboo pipes. Musician Farid Guinomla traveled from Mindanao to Los Angeles to record traditional gong and kulintang instruments, while Lea Salonga contributed her mesmerizing vocals from Abbey Road Studios in London.
The official soundtrack, released digitally by Back Lot Music, featured a stellar lineup of local Filipino artists. Powerhouses like Bini, SB19, Francis Magalona, and Ruby Ibarra joined lead vocalists H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, creating a soundtrack that is as rich and diverse as the film itself.
Critical Acclaim
"Forgotten Island" soared with critics, earning a near-perfect 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8/10. The consensus praised it as "a candy-colored ode to friendship and Filipino folklore, bursting at the seams with imagination while never losing sight of the compelling relationship at its core."
Metacritic, using a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Audiences echoed this enthusiasm, giving it an impressive "A" grade on CinemaScore and an 83% definite recommendation from PostTrak surveys.
Critics like Matt Goldberg of TheWrap lauded its ambitious blend of influences, from "The Hangover" to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," calling it admirable. Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com celebrated the film's imaginative, energetic, and sincere nature, proclaiming it "fun for just about everyone."
Article
Forgotten Island
Forgotten Island is a 2026 American animated fantasy comedy film written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the film features the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, Kevin McCann, and Lea Salonga. Set during the 1990s in the Philippines, the story follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, who are trapped in the mystical world of Nakali, which they have grown up hearing stories of.
DreamWorks Animation officially announced the film in April 2025, with Crawford and Mercado attached to write and direct. They drew inspiration from their friendship and Philippine mythology. Initial members of the cast were announced in October 2025, with further casting later confirmed the following March.
Following early "work-in-progress" screenings at the 2026 CinemaCon and at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Forgotten Island was theatrically released in the United States on September 25, 2026, by Universal Pictures. The film received critical acclaim for its visuals and cultural representation, with some calling it one of DreamWorks Animation's best films. It has grossed $54 million worldwide against an $80 million budget.
Plot
Forgotten Island
In the Philippines during the 1990s, Jo Yuson presents a story to her class about the island of Nakali (short for "nakalimutan", meaning "forgotten" in Tagalog) and the dreaded manananggal. When her classmate Reynaldo mocks her, Jo attacks him and is sent to the principal's office, where she meets Raissa Molina, another classmate who had defended her. Jo invites Raissa to a sleepover with her grandmother, Fatima, who tells them about her travels to Nakali. The girls become best friends, making matching charm bracelets that represent significant moments in their friendship. Fatima later dies of old age, leaving Jo heartbroken.
After graduating high school, Raissa reveals that she is attending Caltech in America, disappointing Jo, who is trying to make ends meet by working at a fast food restaurant. At Raissa's farewell party, Jo overhears Raissa's mother expressing disapproval over their friendship. Jo and Raissa sneak out to the beach, where Jo discovers a magical sand dollar that serves as a portal to Nakali. Despite Raissa's hesitation, they enter together, awakening the next morning with no memory of the previous night. Raissa discovers half of her head shaved and that she has grown wings belonging to Manang, a Manananggal who attacks them. They escape with help from Batiba, a batibat who offers to send them home in exchange for their bracelets and the memories attached to them, as she perpetually stays in her cave and lives vicariously through the memories of others due to her agoraphobia. The girls refuse and flee with Raww, a were-aspin who claims to have hung out with them the previous night and becomes their guide.
At a market, the trio meet Bungi, a tiyanak who tells them that the "Jewel of the Sea" they seek was stolen by a duwende king. Their search leads them to Mermahn, a kataw who claims the sand dollar is in his kingdom. Feeling excluded, Raww lashes out until Jo reassures him and shares her fear of being abandoned by Raissa. Following Raww's suggestion, Jo takes them to Kapre Village, where they learn that they had previously saved the villagers from Manang, after which Raissa stole her wings. Manang attacks again, separating Bungi from the group. After escaping, the group learns that Mermahn lied about the sand dollar, while Raww reveals that he works for Batiba, who is actually a demon. He also admits that he had lured Jo and Raissa to Batiba the previous night, after which they relinquished their memories of their time in Nakali.
Batiba recaptures them and restores their memories, revealing that Jo, afraid of losing Raissa, had hidden the sand dollar after Batiba gave it to them to prevent them from being able to return home. Furious, Raissa reveals that she herself disapproves of Jo, and leaves to retrieve the sand dollar, ending their friendship. Manang attacks Raissa and reclaims her wings, but Raissa informs her that Batiba has stolen from her. Jo then reveals that she offered Batiba her memories of their friendship in exchange for saving Raissa. Raissa is sent back to the Philippines, while Jo stays behind. Back on the beach, a remorseful Raissa adds a leftover firecracker to her bracelet, sending her back to Nakali. Reconciling with Raww, she enters Jo's fading memories and admits how much their friendship shaped who she is, reconciling with her. Manang arrives, and Jo and Raissa, aided by Raww, Bungi, and Mermahn, attempt to fight her, but Batiba, finally understanding the value of memories, willingly returns Manang's stolen memories, causing Manang to become docile. Jo finally accepts Raissa's decision to attend college overseas, and the girls head home while Batiba finally goes outside.
A few years later, Jo visits Raissa, who has become more laid back, at Caltech to promote a book she has published based on their adventures. Before returning home, the two use their bracelets to reopen the portal so they can visit Nakali once more.
Voice cast
Forgotten Island
• H.E.R. as Josephine Cleopatra "Jo" Yuson, Raissa's rowdy and rebellious best friend and a gifted comic-book artist • Kailey Crawford as young Jo • Liza Soberano as Raissa Molina, Jo's ambitious and intelligent best friend who is initially set to leave her home in favor of attending Caltech • Kayla Teruel as young Raissa • Dave Franco as Raww, a well-meaning but unlucky were-dog. According to Crawford, Raww is centuries-old being who is the only were-dog in Nakali. He had never had a connection prior to Jo and Raissa's arrival. The character is also alternatively characterized as a "were-aspin". • Manny Jacinto as Bungi, a large tiyanak baby demon • Jenny Slate as Batiba, a tree-dwelling batibat that specializes in memories • Lea Salonga as Manang, the dreaded manananggal who is the most feared creature in Nakali • Dolly de Leon as Lola Fatima Yuson, Jo's late folklore-knowing grandmother who traveled to Nakali in the past • Jo Koy as Datu, Chief of the kapre • Ronny Chieng as Truffle Wuffle, King of the duwende people • Kevin McCann as Mermahn, Prince of the Kataw and the Jewel of the Sea
Additional cast members include Amielynn Abellera as Jane Molina, Raissa's mother, the film's co-director Januel Mercado as Manny Molina, Raissa's father and Mermahn's dried up self, Eugene Cordero as Mr. Lopez, Jo and Raissa's schoolteacher, Tania Gunadi as Zippy, a potion fairy, Eric Bauza as Button Wutton, General of the Duwende under Truffle Wuffle, and Nico Santos as Mermahn's Starfish Pasties. Harvey Guillén, Wagner Moura, and Sophia Laforteza of Katseye all have voice cameos in the film. Guillén and Moura previously appeared in Crawford's previous film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Production
Development
In April 2025, DreamWorks Animation announced that an original animated adventure comedy film inspired by Philippine mythology, titled Forgotten Island, was in development, with Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado signed to direct. Crawford and Mercado, who had worked together at the studio since Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), drew inspiration from their friendship.
Casting
Forgotten Island had a primarily Filipino and Filipino-American cast. In October 2025, H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, and Lea Salonga were announced as part of the cast. In March 2026, Jo Koy, Dolly de Leon, Ronny Chieng, and Amielynn Abellera joined the cast.
Crawford and Mercado had H.E.R. in mind from the beginning for the role of Jo noting her previous work on a video for Vogue Philippines. The directors found her persona to be "cool" for her tendency to wear sunglasses while noting her bubbly demeanor when talking about Filipino food which led the duo to find H.E.R. suitable for the role of Jo. Meanwhile, Soberano, originally auditioned for the role of Jo but was invited back to try for the role of Raissa instead. Crawford and Mercado found Soberano was able to bring humor and emotion to Raissa's character. Some of Soberano's audition lines made to the final film. Salonga and de Leon were approached by the production team for their roles.
Animation and design
The film's animation style is similar to that of DreamWorks' previous film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), also directed by Crawford. Mercado and Crawford stated that the visual style was inspired by Filipino art and 1990s graphic design. The animation style varies throughout the film, periodically shifting from its primary contemporary computer-generated animation to anime-influenced 2D animation. These stylized 2D sequences are used during flashbacks, referencing the style of anime series such as Dragon Ball Z, Street Fighter, and Sailor Moon, depending on which character recalls a memory. These sequences were animated by Manila-based studio Snipple Animation, reflecting the history of Philippine studios working on outsourced anime series. At the film's Annecy presentation, the filmmakers highlighted the contributions of these Filipino animators, noting that the local culture served as the project's foundation rather than a mere influence. Sony Pictures Imageworks also assisted on the animation in some shots throughout the film.
Music
Forgotten Island
In October 2025, it was announced that Nathan Matthew David would compose the score for the film. Composing the score for Forgotten Island, David travelled throughout the Philippines to research on different indigenous music, including by spending time in Cordillera and Kalinga, and with the T'boli people in Lake Sebu. He also recorded the Bamboo Organ, a 19th-century church pipe organ made with bamboo, in Las Piñas, Metro Manila. Musician Farid Guinomla travelled from Mindanao to play and record the gong and kulintang instruments in Los Angeles. The recording was done in Abbey Road Studios in London with the score's vocals contributed by Salonga.
The soundtrack album was released digitally by Universal's Back Lot Music label on September 18, 2026, ahead of the film's release date. It features performances by local Filipino acts Bini, Lea Salonga, SB19, Francis Magalona, Katseye's Sophia Laforteza, Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo, in addition to leads H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
Marketing
Forgotten Island
The first trailer was released on March 25, 2026. On July 24, members of the cast took part in the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con to promote the film. They were joined by Bini, who performed one of the film's songs, titled "A Parallel World".
Jollibee collaborated with DreamWorks and released food offerings tied to Forgotten Island in the Philippines.
Release
Forgotten Island
Forgotten Island was released in the United States on September 25, 2026. A work-in-progress cut was screened at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 15, 2026, and at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France on June 24, receiving a five-minute standing ovation at the latter festival.
The film was released with limited direct competition, with the animated film The Cat in the Hat set to premiere in November.
Home media
Forgotten Island will be released on digital download on October 27, 2026.
Reception
Box office
As of October 14, 2026, Forgotten Island has grossed $33 million in the United States and Canada, and $21 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $54 million.
In the United States and Canada, Forgotten Island was released alongside Primetime, Heart of the Beast, and Avengers Endgame: Encore, and was projected to gross $15–17 million from 3,548 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $4.3 million on its opening day, and went on to debut to $12.8 million, finishing in fifth place. The film finished in sixth place in the next two weekends, grossing $7.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The FranchiseRe newsletter using the $14.6 million as the reference point, noted that Forgotten Island had a weaker than average opening gross for an original animated film from a major studio.
In the Philippines, Forgotten Island started strong with a ₱97.2 million box office gross on its opening weekend which marked as the best performing non-franchise DreamWorks Animation film of all time in the country.
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 120 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "A candy-colored ode to friendship and Filipino folklore, Forgotten Island bursts at the seams with imagination while never losing sight of the compelling relationship at its core." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while 83% of those surveyed by PostTrak said they would definitely recommend it.
Matt Goldberg of TheWrap gave the film a three-and-a-half out of five rating and wrote, "With influences ranging from The Hangover to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the DreamWorks animated feature is admirably ambitious." Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gave the film three-and-a-half out of four rating and says: "The movie is so imaginative, energetic, and sincere that it should be fun for just about everyone."