Forgotten Island: A Winged, Vampire-Like Creature Capable Of Detaching Her Upper Body To Hunt After Dark

Forgotten Island Synopsis:

Set in the 1990s, high school best friends Jo and Raissa are transported to a fantastical world drawn from Philippine folklore on the eve of Raissa moving abroad. To escape the magical island of Nakali and survive threats like the Dreaded Manananggal, the duo allies with Raww, a clumsy aswang weredog, only to discover that the island feeds on their minds and the ultimate price for returning home is losing every memory of their lifelong friendship.

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family

Release Date: In theaters September 25th, 2026

Forgotten Island Fun Facts: A Winged, Vampire-Like Creature Capable Of Detaching Her Upper Body To Hunt After Dark

DreamWorks’ First Filipino-Centric Feature:
Forgotten Island is set to break new ground as the very first full-length animated movie from a major Hollywood studio to center its entire story around the rich folklore and unique culture of the Philippines. Produced by DreamWorks, this milestone film brings ancient Filipino myths, mythical creatures, and vibrant island traditions to a global audience like never before.

Based on Real-Life Friendship:
The creative heart of Forgotten Island is driven by a genuine, real-life connection and friendship. Co-directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado poured their own personal friendship directly into the project, drawing on a bond built over more than a decade of close collaboration. The duo first joined forces at DreamWorks Animation back in 2011 while working on Kung Fu Panda 2.

Spending years in the trenches together, storyboarding, brainstorming, and navigating the highs and lows of feature animation gave them a shared artistic language and deep mutual trust. By translating that real-world loyalty, shared humor, and creative synergy onto the screen, Crawford and Mercado bring an authentic sense of warmth and connection to the characters and the story they are telling.

Anime-Inspired Memory Flashbacks:
To bring the past to life in Forgotten Island, the film uses two totally different animation styles. While the main story is told using sleek 3D CGI, the memory flashback sequences jump back in time with stylized 2D anime. Visually, these flashback moments pay tribute to classic 1990s anime shows like Dragon Ball Z, Street Fighter, and Sailor Moon, blending dramatic action, bold line work, and nostalgic pop-culture energy into the storytelling.

Animated Locally in Manila:
To keep the movie's cultural roots genuine, the filmmakers handed the 2D flashback scenes over to Snipple Animation, a studio based right in Manila. Having local Filipino artists handle these retro anime sequences ensured every detail felt authentic to the traditions and culture being represented.

Broadway Superstar Plays the Villain:
In an exciting cast reveal, Broadway superstar and Disney legend Lea Salonga voices the movie's central villain: The Dreaded Manananggal. Drawing directly from traditional Philippine mythology, the character is based on one of the country's most iconic and terrifying mythic figures, a winged, vampire-like creature capable of detaching her upper body to hunt after dark. Bringing a performer as celebrated as Salonga into such a darkly iconic role in Forgotten Island gives this legendary folklore figure a captivating, powerful presence on the big screen.

Star-Studded Cast & Crew:
Alongside Broadway legend Lea Salonga, the movie’s star-studded cast is led by Grammy and Oscar winner H.E.R. as Jo and Liza Soberano as her best friend, Raissa. They are joined by Dave Franco voicing Raww, a friendly weredog, and Manny Jacinto as Bungi, with additional comedy powerhouses like Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng bringing the story to life in Forgotten Island.

Source: youtube, wikipedia

Forgotten Island Review: The Mystical Realm Is Packed With Legendary Creatures And Fearsome Demons

Fresh off the massive success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado are back with Forgotten Island, a wildly energetic, visually stunning, and deeply personal animated adventure from DreamWorks. Set against a backdrop that blends late-1990s nostalgia with rich Filipino folklore, the film manages to balance unapologetic, chaotic fun with a grounded emotional heart. It isn't just a feast for the eyes; its creative vision and touching story make it one of the most memorable and unique releases in modern studio animation.

Set in the late 1990s, the story follows two best friends who have always felt like outsiders: Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano). Jo is a creative, free-spirited misfit who feels completely lost and unsure of her future. Raissa, on the other hand, is a high-achieving student with her whole life mapped out, and she is getting ready to move to California for college. As Raissa prepares to take the next step forward into adulthood, Jo is left feeling stuck in place, worried that her best friend is leaving her behind.

On their very last night together, everything changes when they come across a mysterious, ancient sand dollar. The artifact activates a portal, sweeping the two friends away to Nakali, a hidden, magical island filled with mythical creatures and ancient demons straight out of Filipino mythology, including the terrifying, bat-winged Manananggal (Lea Salonga).

When Jo and Raissa wake up on the island's shores, they realize they have mysterious new tattoos, and their memories of the past night have completely vanished. To make matters worse, the clock is ticking: they must piece together what happened during their lost hours and find a way back home so Raissa doesn't miss her flight to college. If they fail to untangle the mystery in time, the island's dark magic will erase their shared childhood memories and their friendship forever.

Visually, directors Crawford and Mercado take the groundbreaking, multi-style animation popularized by recent hits like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish to a whole new level. Instead of sticking to standard 3D animation, the movie turns the island of Nakali into an explosion of color, motion, and artistic texture.

The imagery seamlessly transitions back and forth between fully rendered 3D models and 2D comic book-style sequences. The fast-paced, cartoonish sight gags add bursts of energetic humor to almost every scene. The lush landscapes and magical creatures feel tangible, vivid, and constantly in motion. Every frame feels expressive and alive, making Nakali feel like a real, pulsing world in Forgotten Island.

Forgotten Island really shines because it isn't afraid to go all-in on both its vibrant Filipino culture and a wave of fun, nostalgic 1990s pop culture. Instead of sticking to well-known fairy tales, the film dives deep into Philippine mythology. The mystical realm is packed with legendary creatures and fearsome demons, giving audiences a refreshing, rarely seen world to explore.

A huge highlight is the terrifying Manananggal, a famous vampiric bat-winged monster from Filipino lore, brought to life with a spine-chilling performance by Broadway icon Lea Salonga. When you have animations blending these distinct cultural traditions with silly, nostalgic fun, Forgotten Island creates a world that feels both refreshingly original and deeply comforting.

At the heart of Forgotten Island is the dynamic voice work of lead stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, who bring a believable warmth, humor, and vulnerability to their characters. The performances portray that terrifying moment in young adulthood when life pushes two people in separate directions.

As Raissa prepares for a new chapter across the globe, Jo wrestles with feeling stuck and left behind a universal milestone that makes their emotional connection feel grounded and real. The genuine back-and-forth between the two leads gives the central relationship its beating heart, turning their fantastical adventure into an intimate story about holding onto the people who define us.

Forgotten Island moves at a breakneck speed; while that fast energy keeps the action high, the film sometimes works against itself by refusing to slow down. The story constantly rushes forward to pack in new creature designs, fast-paced side jokes, and chaotic chase scenes.

Just as a tender, emotional scene between the main characters starts to build real heart, the movie quickly cuts away to the next big set piece or comedy bit. The movie stays on high gear almost the entire time; these quieter moments don't always get the room they need to settle in and make a lasting emotional impact.

Even with its nonstop pace and frantic energy, Forgotten Island ultimately stands as a deeply moving, refreshingly original adventure. Underneath all the vibrant magic and chaos lies a surprisingly honest look at the painful reality of growing up and drifting apart from the people you love most.

For animation fans, the movie offers a spectacular alternative to standard fantasy tropes, opening the door to a rich, colorful world rooted in Philippine mythology. It may occasionally leave your head spinning, but its blend of heartfelt human emotion and creative, myth-fueled storytelling makes it a truly memorable journey worth taking.