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Movie Review: ‘Forgotten Island’ is a trippy ode to friendship set against rich Filipino folklore

PUBLISHED Sep 23, 2026, 11:41 AM ET

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Movie Review: ‘Forgotten Island’ is a trippy ode to friendship set against rich Filipino folklore

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DreamWorks Animation has released its feature film Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Written by the team behind Puss in Boots The Last Wish, the movie blends Philippine folklore with an ultra-kinetic visual style inspired by anime, street art, and video games. The story follows two schoolgirls, Jo and Raissa, who use a magical sand dollar portal to enter Nakalimutan, a mythical realm populated by extraordinary creatures. The voice cast features H.E.R. as Jo, Liza Soberano as Raissa, and Lea Salonga as Manang. Industry critics have praised its vibrant and complex aesthetic, comparing its visual ambition favorably against contemporary animated releases. The production highlights prominent Filipino cultural elements on a major Hollywood scale. Universal Pictures has scheduled wide theatrical distribution for September 25, 2026.

By Noormahi M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On January 15 2024 DreamWorks Animation announced new creative feature film projects.
On November 10 2024 production updates confirmed Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado directing.
On March 5 2025 casting announcements revealed H.E.R. and Liza Soberano starring.
On June 12 2025 studio previews showcased initial concept art for Nakalimutan.
On September 14 2025 Lea Salonga joined the principal voice acting cast.
On January 20 2026 teaser trailers debuted across major digital distribution platforms.
On April 10 2026 early press screenings generated positive critical reviews.
On June 22 2026 feature spotlights highlighted the distinct visual animation style.
On September 1 2026 promotional featurettes emphasized Filipino folklore inspirations.
On September 23 2026 industry reports detailed the upcoming theatrical release plans.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Expands cultural representation within mainstream American animated cinema releases.
Possible long-term US impact: Strengthens international box office appeal through diverse folklore narratives.
Most affected groups: Filipino-American communities, animation fans, and entertainment industry workers.
Reader priority: Prioritize official studio announcements over unverified social media speculation.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 2
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 2

Explain Framing

Left: Highlighted cultural representation and diverse storytelling in modern media. Center: Focused objectively on production details, creative teams, and box office. Right: Emphasized commercial studio strategies and mainstream animated film market competition.