Forgotten Island' Review: Is This Colorful DreamWorks Adventure Worth Watching?

Forgotten Island is an English animated fantasy adventure directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. It features the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon and Lea Salonga. The film follows Jo and Raissa, two best friends who are about to take different paths after finishing school.

Their final night together takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious portal leading to the magical island of Nakali, where creatures from Filipino folklore come to life. The film has a strong friendship story at its centre, although its many ideas and visual elements sometimes make the adventure feel overly busy.

Forgotten Island Movie Details

Forgotten Island was released in theatres on September 25, 2026. DreamWorks describes it as a story about two lifelong friends who must find a way to return home before they lose their memories of each other. The film draws heavily from Filipino myths and folklore, including the terrifying Manananggal.

Forgotten Island Story Overview

Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) have been best friends since childhood. While they have very different personalities and ambitions, their friendship has remained strong through the years. As they prepare to move in different directions after school, they spend their final night together and unexpectedly discover a mysterious portal.

The portal takes them to Nakali, a magical island filled with strange creatures and characters inspired by Filipino folklore. However, their adventure comes with a major problem. Their memories begin disappearing, forcing the two friends to understand what has happened before they completely forget their shared past.

Along the way, Jo and Raissa meet Raww (Dave Franco), a well-meaning but clumsy weredog, as well as several other unusual creatures. They eventually face Manang (Lea Salonga), a frightening Manananggal who becomes one of the major threats on the island. The rest of the story focuses on Jo and Raissa's struggle to recover their memories and find their way home while dealing with the changes in their friendship.

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Forgotten Island Review: Imaginative World, Strong Friendship Story

The biggest strength of Forgotten Island is its Filipino identity. Instead of using folklore simply as background decoration, the film builds its fantasy world around creatures and stories from Filipino mythology. This gives the adventure a distinct personality and separates it from more familiar animated fantasy films. The friendship between Jo and Raissa is the emotional centre of the film.

Their different personalities create several funny exchanges, but their relationship also gives the fantasy adventure some emotional weight. The story deals with growing up, choosing different paths and the fear of losing an important friendship. The visual style is another major attraction. The film combines fast animation with different artistic influences, creating a colourful and energetic version of Nakali.

However, this approach can sometimes become overwhelming. There are so many creatures, jokes, visual ideas and sudden changes that the story occasionally gets buried beneath everything happening on screen. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano work well together as Jo and Raissa. Their voice performances make the friendship feel natural rather than forced.

Dave Franco brings comic energy as Raww, while Lea Salonga gives Manang an appropriately threatening presence. Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto and Dolly de Leon also add personality to the supporting characters. The film's use of Filipino culture, music and folklore adds another layer to the experience. The result is visually imaginative and culturally distinctive, even when the storytelling becomes too crowded.

What Are the Weak Points?

• Overcrowded storytelling
• Excessive visual energy
• Uneven pacing
• Too many ideas

Is Forgotten Island Worth Watching?

Watch it if you:

• Enjoy animated adventures
• Like fantasy folklore
• Prefer friendship stories
• Want cultural variety

Skip it if you:

• Prefer simple animation
• Dislike chaotic storytelling
• Want a quiet adventure
• Prefer straightforward plots

Final Verdict

Forgotten Island has plenty of imagination and a refreshing cultural identity. Its Filipino folklore, colourful animation and central friendship give the film a clear personality. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano also bring the right chemistry to Jo and Raissa, making their relationship the strongest part of the story.

At the same time, the film tries to fit a lot into its runtime. The constant stream of creatures, jokes and visual ideas can make the narrative feel messy. Still, the emotional core remains strong enough to keep the adventure engaging.

Rating: 3/5

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