Forgotten Island is DreamWorks Animation's upcoming Philippine mythology movie, and it is already generating significant buzz among Filipino communities in Dubai and across the UAE ahead of its September 25, 2026 release.
Early footage has been circulating since March 2026, and the reaction has been immediate. The visuals stand out, the premise is accessible, and the Filipino cultural references are front and centre — a first for a major Hollywood animation studio.
A Story Built Around Memory and Friendship
At its core, Forgotten Island follows two childhood best friends, Jo and Raissa, who are transported to the mystical island of Nakali — a world drawn from Philippine folklore where memories slowly fade the longer you stay.
Set in the 1990s, the film grounds its story in a time before digital communication, when friendships were forged through day-to-day presence. To return home, Jo, Raissa, and their newfound companions must face mythical Filipino creatures — but the real cost of leaving is losing every memory of each other.
The trailer gives a closer look at environments inspired by Philippine streets, rendered in rich colours with detailed settings that feel fully realised. Elements suggest both wonder and risk without overexplaining the world.
A Voice Cast That Commands Attention
The film features a strong voice cast led by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as Jo and Raissa.
Lea Salonga voices the manananggal — one of the best-known figures in Philippine mythology — while Dave Franco voices Raww, a charming weredog drawn from Filipino folklore.
The ensemble also includes Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, Dolly de Leon, Ronny Chieng, and Amielynn Abellera. It is a lineup that extends the film's reach well beyond the Filipino diaspora.
The Directors Behind the Film
Forgotten Island is co-directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, whose previous collaboration produced Puss in Boots: The Last Wish — one of the most critically acclaimed animated films of the past decade.
Both directors have spoken about how their own friendship shaped the story's emotional core, grounding the central relationship between Jo and Raissa in something personal and easy to connect with.
Biringan City and Folklore Fans Already Have Theories
Some viewers have drawn comparisons between Nakali and Biringan City, the legendary hidden city in Visayan folklore said to appear and disappear without warning. The filmmakers have not confirmed the connection, but the conversation has continued among audiences familiar with Philippine mythology.
Figures such as the manananggal and the tikbalang bring additional depth, weaving well-known folklore directly into the film's world rather than using it as background decoration.
A Major Platform for Philippine Mythology
Forgotten Island is shaping up to be a significant moment for Philippine mythology in global animation. With a major studio behind it, a wide-ranging cast, and a story built around the kind of friendship Filipino audiences recognise, the film is already earning attention well before its release date.
For audiences already familiar with these stories, the film puts them on a stage they have not had before. For everyone else, it opens a door into a world that mainstream animation has largely left unexplored until now.
