DreamWorks Animation, known for bringing films about unforgettable bonds like Hiccup and Toothless in How To Train Your Dragon, Shrek and Donkey in the Shrek franchise, and Roz and Brightbill in The Wild Robot, is now creating a new story about two lifelong best friends who fight to maintain their friendship when everything changes around them.
The film, Forgotten Island, blends the real with fantasy and Filipino culture, directed by Academy Award nominee Joel Crawford. Crawford, whose wife is Filipina, re-teamed with Filipino American helmer Januel Mercado and Mark Swift on the pic, having worked together on the Academy Award-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Forgotten Island is set in the Southeast Asian nation during the 1990s, as two childhood friends, Jo (Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R.) and Raissa (Lisa Soberano), promise to remain close forever once they graduate from high school. Raissa is leaving for Caltech University, Los Angeles, at the urging of her parents, and much to Jo’s fear of losing her best friend. While celebrating their last night together, the two stumble across a mysterious portal and are suddenly transported through a portal to the fantastical world of the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with mythical creatures from Filipino folklore.
Joined by hapless but well-meaning weredog Raww (Dave Franco), Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winner Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa must race against time to find a way to leave the island before they lose each other forever.
The film’s voice cast includes Manny Jacinto as a tinayak, Emmy nominee Jenny Slate as a batibat, Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon as Lola Fatima, Filipino comedian Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, KATSEYE’s very own Sophia Laforteza, and Kevin McCann as the prince of the Kataw people, Mermahn.
Many talented Filipinos contributed to the movie behind the camera and Crawford paid homage to them today, including the composer and the 2D animation team from Manila-based Snipple Animation that added a layer of anime to proceedings.
“Snipple’s distinct style is inspired by 2D anime,” he added. “It reminds you of Dragon Ball Z, which uses the same inspiration. They are pushing boundaries.”
Forgotten Island is scheduled to be released by Universal Pictures on September 25, 2026.
