DreamWorks Unveils Filipino-Inspired New Film ‘Forgotten Island’

Forgotten Island is a DreamWorks Animation feature about lifelong friends Jo and Raissa, who are transported to Nakali, an island populated by creatures from Filipino mythology. Returning home would c

DreamWorks Animation’s feature film *Forgotten Island* follows Jo and Raisa as they spend their final night together before falling onto Nakali Island through a mysterious door. The U.S. theatrical release date is September 25, 2026. The two are longtime friends facing different paths in life, and the reality of their impending separation becomes intertwined with an adventure in a fantasy world.

An Island Where Memories Are the Toll

Nakali is home to magical and mythical beings drawn from Filipino families’ traditions. With the help of Raww, a werewolf-like dog, and his companions, Jo and Raisa must face the island’s most feared creature, the Manananggal. But when they discover that the price of returning is every memory of their friendship, escaping becomes more than simply getting home—it becomes a race to keep from forgetting their relationship.

An Original Film Rooted in Filipino Mythology

The screenplay and direction come from Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, members of the *Puss in Boots: The Last Wish* team, with Mark Swift producing. H.E.R. voices Jo, Liza Soberano voices Raisa, and Dave Franco and Lea Salonga are also among the principal voice cast. The Annecy presentation introduced a world and animation style combining Filipino culture and mythology with a 1990s sensibility.