DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island has opened in cinemas to strong reviews, earning a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 68 critics. The early reception positions the animated adventure as one of the year’s most acclaimed studio releases—and a significant moment for Filipino representation in mainstream Hollywood animation.
Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, the film follows childhood best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, whose relationship is tested when they are transported to the mystical island of Nakali. The film opened in cinemas on Sept. 25, including in Singapore.
Set in the Philippines in the 1990s, Forgotten Island centres on Jo, an energetic and imaginative student, and Raissa, her more pragmatic best friend. After years of growing up together, the pair face an impending separation when Raissa prepares to leave for college in the United States.
Their final night together takes an unexpected turn when a magical sand dollar opens a portal to Nakali, an island populated by creatures from Filipino mythology. But returning home comes with a devastating potential cost: the girls may have to sacrifice the memories of their friendship.
Read more: Dreamworks Unveils ‘Forgotten Island’ – An Animated Ode To Filipino Folklore
The emotional conflict gives the film a familiar coming-of-age foundation, while its Filipino setting and mythology provide a distinctive identity. Variety described it as “A Delightful Animated Celebration of Friendship and Filipino Culture,” praising the film’s emotional storytelling, visual style and voice performances.
Filipino mythology takes centre stage
Nakali brings together a wide range of creatures and legends from Philippine folklore, including the manananggal, batibat, tiyanak and kataw. The film also features Raww, a were-aspin inspired by the free-ranging street dogs commonly seen in Filipino cities.
Lea Salonga voices Manang, a fearsome manananggal who pursues Jo and Raissa throughout the story. In an interview with The Straits Times, H.E.R. recalled the Filipino folktales her mother told her as a child, particularly stories about the manananggal.
“When I was a kid, that was the one that my mum would always tell,” the singer said. “She’d be like, ‘The manananggal is gonna get you.’ We went to the Philippines, and I saw the bats, and she’d be like, ‘It’s the manananggal.’”
Alongside its supernatural elements, the film incorporates details of everyday Filipino life, including family gatherings, karaoke, food, Tagalog language and the iconic Philippine jeepney. These elements help make Forgotten Island more than a fantasy adventure by grounding its magical world in recognisable cultural experiences.
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The film’s voice cast brings together Filipino, Filipino-American and international talent. H.E.R., who has Filipino heritage through her mother, voices Jo, while Filipino-American actress Liza Soberano plays Raissa.
They are joined by Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy, alongside Dave Franco, Jenny Slate and Malaysian-born comedian Ronny Chieng. The cast also includes Ronny Chieng as Truffle Wuffle, the king of the Duwende people.
For Soberano, the film reflects a growing global interest in Filipino stories and performers.
“There have always been Filipinos in Hollywood, kind of paving the way for all of us,” she said. “But it’s only now that there’s really been a spotlight shown on Filipinos and Filipino culture. So it’s really exciting to see other people embracing the culture and the amazing talent that comes with being Filipino.”
The project’s Filipino connection extends behind the microphone. Mercado drew inspiration from the strong women in his family, while Crawford’s wife is Filipina. The character Jo was named after Mercado’s sister, Joann.
Critics praise the animation
Variety highlighted the film’s blend of computer animation and hand-drawn details, describing its visual design as a vivid combination of “digital precision and hand-sketched details.” The review also praised the film’s imaginative environments, musical score and performances by H.E.R. and Soberano.
The film is not entirely aimed at very young children, however. Although rated PG, it includes crude humour, frightening imagery and darker themes involving sacrifice, grief and death. Variety specifically noted that Manang can be “violent and genuinely terrifying,” suggesting that parents may want to use discretion with younger viewers.
That tonal balance appears to be part of the film’s appeal. Forgotten Island combines playful creatures, chaotic comedy and pop-culture energy with a story about growing up, accepting change and confronting the possibility that even lifelong friendships may evolve.
The strong Rotten Tomatoes opening gives Forgotten Island momentum as it reaches audiences around the world. While the film draws deeply from Filipino folklore, its central themes of friendship, family, memory and separation are designed to connect with viewers beyond the Philippines.
Read more: ‘Forgotten Island’: Lea Salonga Joins Star-Studded Filipino-Led DreamWorks Film
“A delightfully charming and original tale of friendship, fantastical adventure, and Filipino culture. With bold visuals, enchanting performances, and a grounding in cultural specificity (that in turn makes it a universal tale) this is a wonderful film,” said Dana Han-Klein on Rotten Tomatoes.
Its release also marks a notable step for Filipino visibility in major Hollywood animation. Rather than treating Filipino culture as a background detail, Forgotten Island places its mythology, language, family traditions and performers at the centre of a large-scale studio production.
With its 96% Tomatometer score, prominent Filipino-led cast and colourful mythology, Forgotten Island arrives as both a fantasy adventure and a celebration of cultural identity. For audiences familiar with the stories and traditions that inspired it, the film offers recognition on a global screen. For everyone else, it provides an entertaining introduction to a richly imaginative folklore tradition.
