What Forgotten Island is About
Forgotten Island will follow Jo and Raissa, two lifelong best friends who find themselves transported to the magical island of Nakali. Here's where it gets interesting: the island has a catch. Memories slowly fade the longer you stay, forcing the pair to confront a choice that feels all too real—do they cling to their past together, or risk drifting apart in pursuit of separate futures? It's a friendship story wrapped in fantasy adventure, set against the backdrop of Filipino mythology and 1990s nostalgia.
The premise taps into something genuinely emotional. What's striking is that it's not just about escaping an island—it's about what we're willing to forget, and what we'd never let go of, even if we could.
What We Know So Far
According to DreamWorks, the film is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the creative duo responsible for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which earned widespread critical praise. Universal Pictures is handling distribution. The voice cast is substantial and deliberately cast: H.E.R. and Liza Soberano anchor the film as Jo and Raissa, with supporting performances from Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga. The film runs 98 minutes and blends comedy, adventure, animation, and family-friendly storytelling.
What's notable here isn't just the cast size—it's the intentional centering of Filipino and Filipino-American voices in a major studio production. According to Creative Bloq, the film draws visual inspiration from anime, manga, and 1990s street art, creating a hybrid aesthetic that shouldn't work on paper but apparently does in practice.
Why This Matters Now
Crawford and Mercado's track record speaks for itself. They don't make forgettable films. The pairing of Filipino mythology with a friendship-centered narrative—especially one rooted in the '90s, when many diaspora families were navigating their own questions about identity and belonging—feels timely and specific. Animation has been slow to center non-Western mythologies in mainstream releases, so there's real anticipation here.
Honestly, what I keep coming back to is the tagline: "Go together." That's not a battle cry or a promise of adventure. It's about choosing to stay with someone even when everything's telling you to move on. That's a different kind of story for DreamWorks, and it's hard not to be curious.
Release Date & Where to Watch
Forgotten Island is scheduled for theatrical release on September 25, 2026. It hasn't been released yet, and no streaming availability has been confirmed. Movie OTT will track platform announcements as rights are finalized—check the Where-to-Watch widget below for updates as they're announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Forgotten Island releasing? Forgotten Island is set for theatrical release on September 25, 2026 in the United States, with similar late-September dates expected in other territories.
Is Forgotten Island out yet? No. The film hasn't been released as of now. It's currently in post-production ahead of its 2026 debut.
Who's in the voice cast? The film stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as Jo and Raissa, alongside Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga.
Where will I be able to watch Forgotten Island? Streaming availability hasn't been confirmed yet. The film will arrive in theaters first. Movie OTT will update you as soon as platform rights are announced.
Who directed Forgotten Island? Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado co-directed the film. They previously collaborated on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
What to Look Forward To
There's real potential here. A friendship story grounded in Filipino culture, directed by filmmakers who've proven they can balance heart with spectacle, voiced by a cast that reflects the story it's telling. September 2026 feels far away now—but it's worth marking your calendar. Keep an eye on Movie OTT for trailers, clips, and platform announcements as we get closer to release.
