Forgotten Island
Crawford and Mercado Deliver a Minor Entertainment Miracle That Elevates Folklore into an Adventure with Life-Affirming Loyalty
Official Metrics
Theatrical Tracking Slate: Late September 2026 Release Slate Profile
Official Film Length: 1 Hour 49 Minutes [109 Minutes]
Genre Confluence: Animation / Kids & Family / Fantasy / Comedy Adventure
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Tomatometer, 94% Popcornmeter
Letterboxd: 3.9 out of 5 Stars
Original Language Track: English Narrative Script
Official Synopsis
Production Information
Directors / Screenwriters Joel Crawford, Januel P. Mercado
Lead Producer Mark Swift
Original Score Architect Nathan Matthew David
Master Distributor Universal Pictures
Production Studio House DreamWorks Animation
Technical Aspect Ratio Digital Cinematic widescreen (2.39:1)
Motion Picture Rating Rated PG (Language | Brief Tobacco Imagery | Thematic Elements | Rude Humor | Scary Action | Some Violence)
Cast
Trailer
Ray's Thoughts
Forgotten Island is a cinematic odyssey that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture. That statement in itself is a bit of a minor entertainment miracle. What is even more remarkable is how uncompromising the film is with its Filipino representation. Featuring a star-studded cast of Filipino entertainment icons, including H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Manny Jacinto, Dolly De Leon, Jo Koy, and Lea Salonga, the project carries genuine cultural weight. Behind the camera, the film is also co-directed and co-written by Filipino filmmaker Januel P. Mercado alongside DreamWorks Animation veteran Joel Crawford.
The story centers on two lifelong best friends, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who bond deeply throughout their formative years in the Philippines. When Raissa prepares to leave for the United States for college, the two friends decide to celebrate their final night together. During their farewell celebration, they stumble through a mysterious portal into the mystical, folklore-rich world of Nakali. After waking up from a wild night in Nakali with no memory of the previous evening, they realize their memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home. They are forced to retrace their steps with the help of a well-meaning weredog named Raww (Dave Franco), a three-eyed demon baby named Bungi (Manny Jacinto), and Batiba (Jenny Slate). With the dreaded Manananggal, Manang (Lea Salonga), hot on their trail, Jo and Raissa must recover not only the missing events of the night, but the core reason why they are best friends.
Much has been written about the historic Filipino representation in Forgotten Island. However, representation means very little if a studio does not deliver an effective and entertaining story. Thankfully, Forgotten Island boasts some of the most innovative, vibrant, and stunning animation since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, pairing its visual flair with a delightfully enchanting tale of friendship and adventure. The sensory experience is elevated even further by composer Nathan Matthew David’s infectious musical score, which seamlessly blends contemporary pop energy with traditional Filipino instrumentation.
What makes the film so fascinating is that its cultural references never feel overwhelming or overly preachy. Instead, they translate seamlessly across borders while remaining unmistakably Filipino. This universal appeal follows a proven blueprint established by beloved animated landmarks such as Coco, Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Mulan. Yet, it feels uniquely fresh here, largely because Filipino culture has historically been so underrepresented in mainstream Hollywood cinema.
If there is a minor critique to mention, it is that the film’s relentless, frenetic pacing during its first half may occasionally feel a bit exhausting for traditional animation fans, as it bounces rapidly from one mythological encounter to the next. Personally, I found the pace refreshing and riveting. Fortunately, Crawford and Mercado know exactly when to slow things down, allowing the story's emotional heart to breathe when it matters most. The real magic of their approach is that they do not treat the culture as a museum exhibit; rather, they focus on the universal human connections that transcend ethnicity. At its heart, the movie is about two young women navigating the terrifying transition into adulthood while being Filipina. It is not merely a Filipino story, but a deeply human one.
Even so, for a Filipino American like myself, it remains genuinely moving to hear Tagalog spoken naturally in a major DreamWorks release, and to see authentic Filipino food, family dynamics, and mythological traditions celebrated on a grand scale.
Although the film was not considered an immediate box office juggernaut during its initial theatrical run, its true measure of success lies in the fact that it exists at all. While it may not have captured the widest mainstream crowd during its first month in theaters, there is little doubt that Forgotten Island will find its devoted audience as more viewers discover it on streaming platforms. Whether it takes months or years, its infectious energy and heart will inevitably enter the cultural zeitgeist. That staying power comes down to the sheer artistic quality on display, alongside moving themes of loyalty that prove family is not just a blood bond, but a soul bond. Of course, the hope is that Forgotten Island will inspire studios to greenlight more projects celebrating Filipino heritage in such a positive, life-affirming way. It stands as a triumphant first step, and now it is up to viewers to embrace the film and show studio decision-makers that these stories matter. Regardless of box office numbers, Filipino audiences now have this special film, and nothing can ever take its existence away.
Final Verdict
🎬 Expanded Fun Facts & Trivia
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- Critical Milestones The animated feature secured a magnificent 95% Certified Fresh Tomatometer score based on 131 reviews, establishing strong critical support for its cultural authenticity.
- Audience Approval General moviegoers mirrored the intense professional praise, granting the adventure comedy a stellar 94% Popcornmeter score across more than 1,000 verified ratings.
- Theatrical Box Office Despite its sweeping critical accolades and exceptional audience tracking metrics, the feature faced significant marketplace challenges during its theatrical slate cycle, collecting $35.2 million domestically.
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