About the film (courtesy of DreamWorks Animation):
H.E.R. and Liza Soberano star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths. While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.

Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (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 will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.

A wacky and fun adventure into Filipino folklore. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, Forgotten Island follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa as they navigate the uncertainty of impending adulthood. Voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, the pair find themselves transported into Nakali, a mythical world filled with ancient magic and unexpected dangers. While the setup carries echoes of classic fantasy adventures, the narrative remains tightly anchored to the relationship between its two leads and its supporting cast.

The main plot begins after Raissa’s announcement that she is going to be leaving the Philippines, her life, family, and most importantly Jo to go to school in America at Caltech. Forgotten Island tells the tale of two girls spending their last night together before Raissa’s big move after getting whisked away to the island of Nakali. It is a world that Jo’s grandmother had once ventured to and returned from, and that the pair had dreamed to one day visit and bring the stories of this world back with them in the same way Jo’s relative had.

From there, Forgotten Island takes a turn to a battle for survival against the Manananggal, voiced by Lea Salonga, as the girls attempt to find their way home so that Raissa can make her flight to begin her new life in the morning. Riddled with detours, pauses, and music, the pair come across a variety of creatures with some aiding in their journey while others… less so.

H.E.R. and Soberano deliver amazing vocal performances, establishing an effortless chemistry that feels authentic from their first scene together. Their dynamic gives Forgotten Island its emotional core, ensuring that the personal stakes resonate just as strongly as the adventure. As the strange rules and trials of Nakali begin to test their bond, the film tackles the bittersweet fear of growing apart with genuine sincerity. Dave Franco also provides welcome comedic relief as Raww, a weredog that helps Raissa and Jo throughout their time in Nakali, injecting a frantic charm that keeps the pacing lively without distracting from the central journey.

Visually, Forgotten Island is exceptional. The animation showcases fluid action and vibrant environmental design with an attention to detail that can only be described as superb, with the background of scenes feeling as lively as the world that the story is unfolding in. Everything from the cutaways that are used where the art style drastically shifts in one way or another, to the main art style being complemented by artistic choices like little sidebars where a main character may be speaking in the background of a scene with a speech bubble representing their dialogue. Some of the cutaways and gags are so well drawn and designed they could warrant an anime series of their own.

Forgotten Island delivers top tier animation (on par with the likes of K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)), sharp humor, and real heart that will grip any audience. By grounding a grand fantasy adventure in a relatable story about friendship and growing up, it stands as an entertaining and deeply moving feature that easily ranks among the strongest animated releases of the year for the whole family.

Families and friends should venture into theaters to see Forgotten Island when it drops on September 25th.