A first for Filipino representation in global animation, DreamWorks has finally released the trailer for the movie Forgotten Island, making it one of the most anticipated animated movies of the year.
The film was first officially announced in April 2025, with fans curious about what this story will tell and who will be playing the different characters within the movie. Now, the movie’s release date is set for September 25, 2026 and distributed by Universal Pictures.
What is Forgotten Island About? Plot and Key Details Explained
In April 2025, DreamWorks Animation announced that an original animated adventure-comedy film was to be written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. You might be familiar with Joel for his work directing Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and being head of story for The Croods: A New Age. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish became quite iconic for its stylization of animated action sequences, which helped usher in a new era for animation.
Back then, the only details we knew about the movie were that the film is simply a comedy adventure that brings the film’s protagonists to a long-forgotten mystical island that’s grounded in Philippine mythology.
Now that the official trailer is out, we can get into more details of the movie.
Set in the 1990s, Jo and Raissa are two best friends who meet in elementary school and have become very close growing up, but are about to go their separate ways after graduating high school. Upon celebrating their last night together by hanging out and doing some karaoke, the pair come across a magical portal.
They find that the portal leads to the island of Nakali, a place of magical and mythological creatures that Jo and Raissa grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. We also discover that the island is a place where the longer you stay on the island, the more memories you’ll forget.
Not all mythological creatures on the island are friendly, however, as the two friends must also face The Dreaded Manananggal, the most feared creature on the island. With the steep price to pay for their return home and the many creatures they’ll have to face, Jo and Raissa are on a race against time to leave Nakali before they forget each other forever.
Who’s in the Cast of Forgotten Island?
The film features a star-studded cast, involving Filipino talent such as R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R (known for her songs “I Can’t Breathe” and “Fight for You”), actress Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein and Alone/Together), Tony-winning actress and Lea Salonga (Les Miserables and Miss Saigon), actress Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness and Ghostlight), actor Manny Jacinto (The Good Place and The Acolyte), and global comedian Jo Koy (Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn).
Additionally, joining the ensemble are Emmy-nominated actress Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Dying for Sex), actor Dave Franco (Now You See Me, Nerve, and 22 Jump Street), as well as actor Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show and M3GAN).
H.E.R and Liza Soberano will be playing Jo and Raissa, respectively. For Lea Salonga, she’ll be playing The Dreaded Manananggal. While Dave Franco will be playing the weredog, Raww. At the moment, we’re still anticipating which other characters the rest of the cast will be playing. Nonetheless, we’re thrilled to have such a stellar ensemble of voices for this movie.
Forgotten Island Marks a First for Filipino Representation in a Major Studio
In line with the Filipino folklore being a huge player in the film’s story, Forgotten Island marks a major milestone for Filipino representation in global animation.
While Filipino culture has long been rich with mythological stories and iconography, it’s rarely been explored at this scale in a mainstream animated feature. We get a glimpse of that in the trailer with brief cuts of a Filipino jeepney, friendship bracelets, and the sarimanok (mythical bird). Another major icon that we also see is the sun symbol as a portal, which seems to take inspiration from the sun seen on the Philippine flag.
For Filipino audiences, this representation goes beyond simply being seen, as it delves more into recognition. The differences between creatures and small cultural nuances are part of a bigger narrative that the film will hopefully bring into the spotlight.
How Fans Are Reacting to the Forgotten Island Trailer
Since the trailer’s release, reactions online have been overwhelmingly positive, with many mainly praising the film’s vibrant animation style, emotional premise, and long-overdue cultural spotlight. Others have also pointed out having “chills” as the trailer plays against Simple Minds’ song, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, making it perfect for the ’90s setting of the movie that seems to thrive on nostalgia.
Of course, there’s also the hype and expressed excitement over seeing Filipino folklore finally taking center stage. However, there are still conversations that come with cautious optimism, with some viewers hoping the film delivers a nuanced and respectful portrayal of Filipino culture beyond aesthetics.
Still, one thing is clear: Forgotten Island has the people and the Internet talking. Whether it’s for its story, animation, or its cultural significance, the film has quickly positioned itself as an intriguing animated release to watch out for in 2026.
Header Image Credit: DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures