Is "Forgotten Island" the Perfect Binge for Adventure Lovers?

Forgotten Island is a new animated film from DreamWorks Animation, which was released in September 2026. It is being directed by Puss in Boots: The Last Wish directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. I had watched it, because I knew that it's based on Filipino mythology. I don't see many Filipino folktales in big animated movies so I was curious.

I thought it would be a family-oriented film with some jokes and a rainbow-coloured island. It is that, but it is also a tale of friendship and of being separated by life. As this movie demonstrates, those around us shape us. It's a simple concept, but I found it very heartwarming.

! I will disclose only the beginning and the central idea, so the ending is all safe for you.

Set in the Philippines during the 90s. Two girls, Jo and Raissa, are the main characters. Jo is an orphan with her caring grandmother, Lola Fatima. Raissa is a good student and wishes to become a scientist. As children, they meet, and as Jo shares a folktale from her grandmother with her classmates, they become friends. It's a story about an island long forgotten which is inhabited by a terrible monster called the Manananggal.

Years later, the two girls have completed high school and it's time to part ways. One of them will be leaving so there will be a going away party. This is a tense little moment when a friend arrives late, and it's clear they both are afraid to leave. Then they spend their final night together on the beach, and an enchanted sand dollar ishes up. They take him there at Nakali. Nakali abounds with characters from their childhood tales. Some of them end up as friends and some as enemies. They meet Raww, an unfriendly but friendly weredog portrayed by Dave Franco, who isn't very capable. Lea Salonga plays the Manananggal, which is the most feared creature on the island. The girls are then told the cost of their return home: they have to abandon their memories of all of their friendship. But they need to get out in some other way before they forget each other forever.

I believe this is the greatest aspect of the film. It is not just a monster with wings that poses the danger. What scares them more is the loss of their memories that shaped them into what they are. This is also demonstrated in the story through the friendship bracelets, as it is the memories of the bracelets that make them powerful. I really liked this idea, it does happen in real life. Time spent with that person matters so much and a small thing like a bracelet or a picture could be really significant. Voice acting is also satisfactory. H.E.R and Jo are both friends and Raissa and Liza Soberano are both friends. It's a colorful animation and the island is magical. The film is also quick and at a few points seemed like a lot of action for such a short period of time. The jokes aren't always humorous, however the emotional aspects function better than the comedy.

What I liked about it, is that it isn't all black and white. The creatures are not only good or bad and the true issue is the fear of losing someone you love. It demonstrates that growth means change, change can be painful even when it is natural. In sum, Forgotten Island is a sweet and emotional adventure. Not a perfect film, but with a very warm heart, and made me think of my friends and how quickly time can divide people. If you enjoy animated films that are proactively depicted, then I feel it is well worth your time.

All The Screenshots are From themoviedb