Filipino Myth Comes Alive
DreamWorks Reveals 'Forgotten Island' Trailer Amid Conflicting Release Dates, Showcasing Filipino Myths
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Key Points
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Dolly de Leon, a BAFTA-nominated actress, joins the Forgotten Island voice cast.
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There are conflicting rollout timelines: some outlets point to a late-2024 worldwide rollout, while others list a September 25, 2026 theatrical release.
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At Annecy, the filmmakers emphasized deep worldbuilding and even teased The Dreaded Manananggal as a potential rival to the studio’s own Death from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish as the best villain in DreamWorks history.
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Nakali is described as a landscape of enchanted forests, floating rivers, and ruins that pulse with ancient magic.
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The creative team frames Forgotten Island as a ground-up original project rather than a reimagining of an existing franchise.
DreamWorks Animation has released a new trailer for Forgotten Island, an original fantasy film rooted in Filipino mythology, set for a September 25, 2026 theatrical release through Universal Pictures. The film follows two high school best friends, Jo and Raissa, who are pulled through a portal into Nakali — a magical world of enchanted forests, floating rivers, and ancient ruins — where they must battle a memory-eating monster to find their way home. Animation Magazine reported that the trailer debuted at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 23, 2026.
The project is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who previously collaborated on Kung Fu Panda 2. Crawford called the film "a love letter to Filipino culture," and the creative team has framed it as a ground-up original — not a sequel or reboot — at a time when major studios rarely greenlight new IP at this scale.
A Star-Packed Cast Led by Filipino Icons
Grammy-winner H.E.R. voices Jo, marking her first major voice-acting role. She described the project as a "lifelong dream" to celebrate her Filipino heritage. Liza Soberano plays Raissa, her best friend. The two recorded sessions together rather than in isolation, which Soberano said created natural chemistry. She simply called the film "home." Animation Magazine highlighted the pair as the emotional core of the story.
The supporting cast is equally high-profile. Lea Salonga — a Tony Award winner — voices The Dreaded Manananggal, the film's main villain. Dave Franco plays Raww, a hapless weredog companion. BAFTA-nominated actress Dolly de Leon joins in an undisclosed supporting role. Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng round out the ensemble, according to Broadway World.
Nakali's World Built From Filipino Myth and Memory
The magical realm of Nakali is packed with creatures drawn straight from Filipino folklore. Shapeshifters, demons, and spirits populate a landscape of ruins that pulse with ancient magic. The story is set against a 1990s Philippines backdrop, where Jo and Raissa face separation when Raissa moves to the U.S. after high school. The threat of losing each other pushes them into Nakali's dangerous world. First Showing described the friendship as the film's central emotional engine.
The directors took a research trip to the Philippines in 2024 with their families. That trip included deep dives into indigenous folklore and emotional family reunions. Crawford said, "Without our family and the strong women in our family, this movie would not exist." The Manananggal — a creature from Filipino myth that splits its body in half and devours memories — serves as the film's central threat.
Mixed Animation Styles Signal Bold Visual Ambition
Forgotten Island does not stick to one look. The film is primarily 3D computer animation, but it also mixes in exaggerated cartoon expressions and a full 2D sequence that pays tribute to 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and classic anime. Animation Magazine reported that the Annecy preview showcased this "medley" of styles as a key creative strength. Comic Book noted comparisons to Family Guy and anime in the same breath.
The soundtrack is composed by Nathan Matthew David. Filipino pop group BINI also contributes to the music. H.E.R. is expected to play a role in the musical marketing push through Summer 2026. A heavy soundtrack rollout is planned ahead of the September 25 wide release, targeting Asian and diaspora audiences in particular.
DreamWorks Bets on a New Villain for the History Books
At Annecy, the filmmakers made a bold claim: The Dreaded Manananggal could rival Death from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish as the greatest villain in DreamWorks history. That is a high bar. Death from The Last Wish — released in 2022 — was widely praised as one of the best animated antagonists in years. The creative team appears confident Lea Salonga's performance sets a new standard, according to Animation Magazine.
The Annecy presentation also marked a deliberate shift in how the film is being marketed. The March 2026 teaser was criticized by some as offering little more than "vibes." The June preview was designed to show the "brain and body" — the film's deep worldbuilding and technical complexity. With a September 25, 2026 release locked in, DreamWorks is positioning Forgotten Island as its biggest original swing in years, Comic Book reported.
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