A Friendship Tested by Adventure
DreamWorks' Forgotten Island arrives as an original animated feature, a rarity in a studio landscape that frequently favors established properties. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film centers on Jo and Raissa, two best friends from the Philippines who have been inseparable since grade school. Their bond, symbolized by matching charm bracelets, faces a turning point as high school ends. Raissa earns admission to Caltech in America, while Jo remains in a dead-end fast-food job. On their final night together, they discover a magical portal on the beach that transports them to Nakali, the Forgotten Island they long believed existed.[S1]
The island is a surreal realm where memories take physical form. Jo, voiced by singer H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Liza Soberano, undergo bizarre transformations: Raissa gains wings and half a head of hair. They encounter a host of eccentric characters, including Raww, a shape-shifting Weredog voiced by Dave Franco, who appoints himself their guide. They also meet Bungi, a cycloptic giant blue baby still attached to his mother, voiced by Manny Jacinto, and Batiba, an agoraphobic cave dweller voiced by Jenny Slate who hoards stolen memories. The villain, the Dreaded Manananggal, voiced by Lea Solonga, can split herself in half and possesses other terrifying abilities.[S1]
Visual Frenzy and Emotional Payoff
Crawford and Mercado, who previously revitalized the Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, bring a similarly energetic approach to Forgotten Island. The film's animation is vibrant and constantly shifting styles, but the pacing is relentless, especially in the first half. The directors seem to anticipate short attention spans, packing the screen with visual information. However, the second half slows down to focus on the girls' hopes and dreams, allowing the emotional core to emerge. The central theme of preserving memories and cherishing friendship becomes clear, and the resolution feels satisfying. The soundtrack features catchy tunes, including original songs from H.E.R.[S1]
While the film may not linger in adult memories, its teenage target audience will likely find plenty to enjoy. The voice cast also includes Dolly DeLeon as Lola, Jo Koy as Daju, Ronny Chieng as King Truffle Wuffle, and Kevin McCann as Prince Mermahn. Produced by Mark Swift, Forgotten Island is distributed by Universal and scheduled for release on September 25, 2026. It runs 1 hour and 47 minutes and carries a PG rating.[S1]
