‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date, Showtimes, Cast, Plot, and Trailer Details for DreamWorks’ Mythological Fantasy

DreamWorks Animation has spent recent years recalibrating its storytelling identity, moving past conventional franchise extensions to champion inventive, visually striking worlds. With modern milestones establishing new benchmarks for cinematic craftsmanship, the studio has increasingly leaned into adventurous artistic risks. This deliberate creative pivot reflects an evolving theatrical landscape where moviegoers routinely gravitate toward fresh creative voices and boundary-pushing perspectives.

Following the critical acclaim of earlier genre-blending animated features, industry attention has shifted toward projects that combine deeply personal narratives with rich, underrepresented cultural mythologies. Original animated features now bear the mantle of proving that distinct cultural heritage can drive global box office engagement across diverse age demographics. That ambition has crystallized around a historic cinematic effort that honors Southeast Asian folklore while capturing the universal heartache of adolescence.

That vision takes full form in ‘Forgotten Island’, the 50th animated feature from DreamWorks Animation, written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. The project marks a watershed moment as the first major Hollywood animated feature centered entirely on Filipino mythology, folklore, and cultural identity. “The fact that we’re telling personal Filipino stories, the misconception that this is just for Filipinos, but it’s not,” co-director Januel Mercado emphasized in an interview with Inquirer Entertainment.

‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date and Theatrical Showtimes

Moviegoers eager to embark on this fantasy journey do not have long to wait. ‘Forgotten Island’ officially opens in movie theaters across the United States on September 25, 2026, distributed by Universal Pictures. Special evening preview screenings commence nationwide on Thursday, September 24, with early showtimes typically starting around 5:00 PM local time across select major theater chains.

International audiences will experience the film along a slightly staggered theatrical rollout. Philippine cinemas received the animated epic on September 23, while Australian moviegoers welcomed the release on September 17, and United Kingdom screenings are slated for October 16. The finished feature runs for a concise 108 minutes, offering a brisk yet emotionally dense cinematic experience.

The Emotional Plot and Forgotten Lore of Nakali

Set against the nostalgic backdrop of the 1990s in the Philippines, the narrative centers on high school graduates Jo and Raissa, two lifelong companions navigating a bittersweet crossroads. With Raissa preparing to relocate to the United States for university, their bond faces the daunting reality of adult separation. On their final night together, the duo accidentally stumbles through an enchanted doorway into the lost, fantastical island of Nakali.

Once trapped on the mystical shores, the pair discovers that Nakali is populated by supernatural entities straight out of Philippine folklore. The true peril, however, lies in the island’s memory-draining nature, where lingering too long costs visitors their most precious recollections. Escaping back to reality requires confronting the harrowing risk that their cherished history together might be erased forever.

Voice Cast: Assembling a Landmark Filipino Ensemble

The vocal roster of ‘Forgotten Island’ represents the most concentrated ensemble of Filipino and Filipino American talent ever mounted by a major Hollywood animation studio. Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R. voices the spirited Jo, while Liza Soberano lends her emotional voice to Raissa. “It brings us so much pride and joy to finally have something that represents our culture and makes us feel seen,” Soberano reflected in an interview on TODAY.

Rounding out the lively supporting cast is Dave Franco as Raww, a well-meaning and neurotic weredog who has roamed Nakali for centuries. Tony Award winner Lea Salonga commands the screen as the terrifying winged creature known as the Dreaded Manananggal, while Dolly de Leon portrays Jo’s wise grandmother, Lola Fatima. The ensemble also includes Manny Jacinto as the mythical tiyanak named Bungi, alongside notable comedic turns from Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng.

Trailer Highlights and Groundbreaking Visual Craft

Universal Pictures showcased the film’s distinct tone across promotional trailers, pairing vibrant action set-pieces with nostalgic needle drops like Simple Minds’ iconic track. The preview footage highlights a dynamic fusion of high-end three-dimensional computer animation and hand-drawn two-dimensional textures crafted by Manila-based Snipple Animation Studios. These varied aesthetic choices allow memories and emotional flashbacks to shift visual styles depending on which character recalls the past.

Complementing the visual splendor is an energetic soundtrack orchestrated by composer Nathan Matthew David alongside popular global Filipino musical artists like BINI and SB19. With a rare 100% critical debut score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film stands as both an authentic cultural touchstone and a universal testament to youth. Audiences worldwide are poised to discover whether Jo and Raissa can protect their bond before time slips away.

Share your thoughts in the comments below on whether you will be checking out ‘Forgotten Island’ in theaters and which mythological creature you are most excited to see brought to life!

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