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Waze Launches 'Forgotten Island' Mode for Upcoming DreamWorks Film
Confirmed
In Short: Waze is bringing a new feature to its navigation app, inspired by the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film 'Forgotten Island,' set to hit theaters on September 25, 2026.
Waze is bringing a new feature to its navigation app, inspired by the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film 'Forgotten Island,' set to hit theaters on September 25, 2026. The feature, which includes custom voice navigation by Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist H.E.R., aims to turn daily commutes into an unforgettable road trip.
Jo, voiced by H.E.R., embarks on a mythical journey across the fantastical island of Nakali in the film. Waze users can activate the 'Nostalgic' Mood, featuring Jo’s retro, paint-splattered boom box and her iconic mixtapes, as well as swapping the navigation arrow for 'Jo’s Jeepney,' a nod to Filipino cultural heritage.
Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the directors of 'Forgotten Island,' incorporated personal experiences and memories from their childhood visits to the Philippines into the film. They infused the characters with traits inspired by women in their lives, including family members.
The film's setting in the Philippines and its influences from Southeast Asian mythology make it a celebration of Filipino culture for western audiences. The story follows Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano respectively, as they navigate a mythical island named Nakali.
Waze users can download the latest version of the app and activate the 'Forgotten Island' mode by looking for the 'Forgotten Island' banner in the menu or activating it directly.
The film's creators hope that 'Forgotten Island' will resonate with audiences, much like other culturally rich animated films such as 'Coco,' 'Moana,' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,' which have brought vibrant cultures to life for viewers.
While the film may face challenges in finding its target audience, particularly with its September release date, those who seek it out will be rewarded with a visually stunning and emotionally resonant story about the enduring power of friendship.
What this adds
The film 'Forgotten Island' is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who are both Filipino, and they wanted to share their culture through the film.
Background
Forgotten Island is a 2026 American animated fantasy adventure comedy film written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the film features the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga.
What's confirmed
- Waze is bringing a new feature to its navigation app, inspired by the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film 'Forgotten Island,' set to hit theaters on September 25, 2026. The feature, which includes custom voice navigation by Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist H.E.R., aims to turn daily commutes into an unforgettable road trip.
- Jo, voiced by H.E.R., embarks on a mythical journey across the fantastical island of Nakali in the film. Waze users can activate the 'Nostalgic' Mood, featuring Jo’s retro, paint-splattered boom box and her iconic mixtapes, as well as swapping the navigation arrow for 'Jo’s Jeepney,' a nod to Filipino cultural heritage.
- Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the directors of 'Forgotten Island,' incorporated personal experiences and memories from their childhood visits to the Philippines into the film. They infused the characters with traits inspired by women in their lives, including family members.
- The film's setting in the Philippines and its influences from Southeast Asian mythology make it a celebration of Filipino culture for western audiences. The story follows Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano respectively, as they navigate a mythical island named Nakali.
- Waze users can download the latest version of the app and activate the 'Forgotten Island' mode by looking for the 'Forgotten Island' banner in the menu or activating it directly.
- The film's creators hope that 'Forgotten Island' will resonate with audiences, much like other culturally rich animated films such as 'Coco,' 'Moana,' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,' which have brought vibrant cultures to life for viewers.
- While the film may face challenges in finding its target audience, particularly with its September release date, those who seek it out will be rewarded with a visually stunning and emotionally resonant story about the enduring power of friendship.
What's still developing
- Ready to turn your daily commute into an epic island adventure?
- Forgotten Island, an original fantasy-comedy that fuses 1990s nostalgia, Filipino culture and a story centered on a friendship pushed to its limits, explores the need we all have for these types of true bonds.
- Set in the Philippines and influenced by Southeast Asian mythology, the film follows two best friends whose relationship is challenged after they are transported into a mystical world filled with shape-shifters, witches and creatures drawn from Filipino folklore.
- “This film reflects our own Filipino families and our experience, the Filipino community that we both have,” says Mercado.
- These influences extend into character design and behavior, grounding the animated figures in lived reality.
- With Forgotten Island, they take on full co-directing duties for the first time on an original concept, focusing their creative partnership on a coming-of-age story.
- The Manananggal is a vampire-like beast from Filipino folklore and in Forgotten Island, Lola has been to a secret island accessible only by a portal called Nakali Island.
- The girls make a promise that they’re going to find their way to Nakali Island one day to see the Manananggal among other creatures Lola has told them about.
- The name, Forgotten Island aside, there are also so many indications as to what the film is trying to portray.
- One of the greatest things about animated movies is their ability to bring vibrant cultures to life for audiences that may otherwise never see and appreciate them.
- A new music video from the forthcoming film Forgotten Island performed by stars H.E.R.
- DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you unforgettable bonds between a boy and a dragon in How to Train Your Dragon, an ogre and a donkey in Shrek, and a robot and a gosling in The Wild Robot, now welcomes a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart in Forgotten Island.