‘Forgotten Island’ Review: Friendship Shines in Filipino-Flavored Gem
DreamWorks’ original animated film follows two Filipino best friends whose beachside portal trip turns into a memory-filled quest home, with voice roles from H.E.R. and Dave Franco.
- DreamWorks Animation releases the original film 'Forgotten Island' in theaters Friday, September 25, 2026, exploring Filipino folklore through an adventure centered on two best friends.
- High school best friends Jo and Raissa face separation as Raissa prepares to attend Caltech, but discover a portal to the mythical island of Nakali on their final night together.
- Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado populate Nakali with diverse folklore creatures, including a 200-year-old demon baby and The Dreaded Manananggal, while blending 2D drawings with anime-style animation.
- Utilizing a Manila-based animation studio, the film features a score by Filipino-American composer Nathan Matthew David, positioning the project as a gateway to Filipino culture and mythology.
- The film marks a progressive uptick for DreamWorks Animation, similar to the studio's acclaimed 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish', as critics hope the story opens doors to broader Filipino representation.
12 Articles
12 Articles
‘Forgotten Island’ review: Friendship shines in Filipino-flavored gem
The dazzling new film “Forgotten Island” stands out from the animated pack in part due to its celebration of Filipino folklore. Set in Manila and a magical island home to various Aswang — an umbrella Filipino term for shape-shifters and…
Forgotten Island Review: DreamWorks’ Latest is Rambunctious Fun
Is it possible to cram too much into an animated movie? That’s a question that frequently popped into my head while watching DreamWorks’ latest, Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Crawford’s previous directorial work, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, is one of the finest works of animation of the last decade. […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Movie Review: ‘Forgotten Island’ is a trippy ode to friendship set against rich Filipino folklore – WTOP News
Of all the magical portals that transport you to another world, “Forgotten Island” may have the cutest. It's not a brick tunnel like “Spirited Away” or a hidden
Movie Review: 'Forgotten Island' is a trippy ode to friendship set against rich Filipino folklore
Of all the magical portals that transport you to another world, “Forgotten Island” may have the cutest. It's not a brick tunnel like “Spirited Away” or a hidden door like “Coraline” or even C.S. Lewis' famous wardrobe.
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