Forgotten Island Perfect Score
DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island Debuts With a Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
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Key Points
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Set in the Philippines during the 1990s, the story begins after Raissa is accepted to the California Institute of Technology, putting her impending departure at the center of the friends’ conflict.
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After waking on Nakali, Jo and Raissa discover that they have already spent 12 hours on the island, during which they got tattoos, shaved their heads and caused trouble—events they must reconstruct in a search for a way home before Raissa’s flight.
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The film expands its folklore-inspired ensemble with creatures including Raww, a were-aspin; Batiba, a batibat; Bungi, a tiyanak; Mermahn, a merfolk prince; Truffle Wuffle and his duwende army; and Datu, a kapre.
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Forgotten Island is DreamWorks Animation’s 50th animated feature and has been described as a historic major-Hollywood animation project because of its concentrated lineup of Filipino talent.
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The Hollywood Reporter praised the film’s animation as “dazzling and tremendously fast-paced,” citing influences from anime, Studio Ghibli and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
DreamWorks Animation's "Forgotten Island" debuted with a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score before its September 25 theatrical release, marking a rare achievement for animated films. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film follows lifelong friends Jo and Raissa as they navigate a magical Philippine island where their memories—including of each other—mysteriously vanish. The Hollywood Reporter praised the animation as "dazzling and tremendously fast-paced," citing influences from anime, Studio Ghibli, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The film stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as the lead voice actors, alongside a prominent Filipino ensemble including Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. "Forgotten Island" marks DreamWorks Animation's 50th feature and represents a historic major-Hollywood animation project due to its concentrated roster of Filipino talent. Collider notes the film celebrates Filipino culture and identity through its storytelling and character work.
The Story: Friendship Against Fading Memories
Set in the 1990s Philippines, "Forgotten Island" begins when Raissa receives acceptance to the California Institute of Technology, threatening the friends' lifelong bond. After mysteriously waking on Nakali, an enchanted island inspired by Philippine mythology, Jo and Raissa discover they've already spent 12 hours there with no recollection—getting tattoos, shaving their heads, and causing trouble. They must piece together these missing hours and find a way home before Raissa's flight departs.
Philippine Folklore Creatures Bring the Island to Life
The film expands its mythological world with an inventive ensemble of creatures drawn from Filipino folklore. Characters include Raww, a were-aspin; Batiba, a batibat; Bungi, a tiyanak; Mermahn, a merfolk prince; Truffle Wuffle and his duwende army; and Datu, a kapre. Cuatower describes the film as "breathtaking" with creature designs that audiences won't soon forget. The mixed animation styles and inventive visual approach create a distinctive visual identity that sets the film apart from typical animated features.
A Historic Moment for Filipino Representation in Animation
"Forgotten Island" represents a milestone in major-studio animation by centering Filipino talent both in front of and behind the microphone. The collaboration between Crawford and Mercado, who previously directed "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," brings their creative expertise to a story rooted in Philippine culture. Collider highlights how the filmmakers transformed "scary" Filipino folklore into a family-friendly adventure that honors cultural authenticity while entertaining broad audiences. This concentration of Filipino voices in DreamWorks' 50th animated feature signals a significant shift in representation.
No Post-Credits Scene to Wait For
Unlike many modern animated releases, "Forgotten Island" wraps up its story entirely before the credits roll. AOL and Yahooreport that the film contains no post-credits scenes, allowing audiences to leave theaters with a complete narrative conclusion. This approach prioritizes storytelling closure over franchise setup, letting the film's conclusion stand on its own merits.
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