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The Movie Guru: ‘Forgotten Island’ fantastic, while ‘Heart of the Beast’ has limited pleasures
Confirmed
In Short: DreamWorks Animation's 'Forgotten Island' opens in theaters to strong reviews and a celebration of Filipino culture, but box office projections are mixed.
DreamWorks Animation's 'Forgotten Island' opened in theaters on September 23, 2026, to strong reviews and a celebration of Filipino culture.
Forgotten Island has earned a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 68 critics, with Variety noting that Mercado tells a familiar but moving story about friendship, brought to life through a vivid voice ensemble.
The movie blends 1990s nostalgia, Filipino culture, and a coming-of-age story, with vibrant animation sequences that evoke the warmth of childhood cartoons.
At the heart of the film are the characters of Jo and Raissa, who embark on a quest to find the mythical island of Nakali, a place they had dreamed of since childhood.
The film's creators, Joel and his wife Januel, are Filipino, and they wanted to share their culture through the movie.
Jollibee's vice president for marketing, Dorothy Ching, said, 'Forgotten Island is a beautiful and moving story that reminds us of the power and importance of friendship, something that has always been at the heart of our brand.
Despite the strong critical reception, box office projections are mixed. Box Office Report expects a $16 million take, while Box Office Theory predicts a range of $14 to $19 million.
The film's opening weekend is expected to place fourth or fifth, with competition from other major releases.
Audiences have praised the film for its cultural representation and emotional depth, with one moviegoer saying, 'I did not expect a movie, an animated movie like that to be that powerful.
Background
Pitt's performance is nuanced, showing a man battered by his past and the current struggle for survival.
Forgotten Island is a 2026 American animated fantasy 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, Kevin McCann, and Lea Salonga.
Heart of the Beast is a 2026 American survival thriller film directed by David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander. The film stars Brad Pitt as a retired Special Forces veteran navigating a grueling 58-mile trek to safety with his traumatized combat German Shepherd after their seaplane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness.
What's confirmed
- Written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and produced by Oscar nominee Mark Swift — the creative team behind the Oscar-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish — Forgotten Island is shaping up to be a force in the Best Animated Feature race.
What's still developing
- 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.
- 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.
- Despite being in the diaspora, Forgotten Island transported me to the 1990s Philippines, with vibrant animation sequences that bring the same warmth I felt watching my favourite childhood cartoons like Sailor Moon at my grandparents' house.
- Aside from being a businessman, Josh Austria has been working… Jollibee and DreamWorks Animation are teaming up for a global partnership tied to the worldwide theatrical release of Forgotten Island, a new original animated feature that celebrates friendship, family, and Filipino-inspired storytelling.
- Forgotten Island draws inspiration from Filipino mythology and stories passed down through Filipino families, while Jollibee has long brought people together through shared meals and everyday moments of joy.
- At the heart of Forgotten Island, from the filmmakers of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, are lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R.
- Chickenjoy with rice and Pineapple Quencher, the new Peach Mango Pie à la Mode with Vanilla Soft Serve, Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie with Chocolate Sauce, and an exclusive Forgotten Island Friendship Charm Bracelet.
- Inspired by the film, the exclusive Friendship Charm Bracelet serves as a collectible that fans can take home as a memento of the partnership and the friendships celebrated in Forgotten Island.
- The Forgotten Island Adventure Bundle will be available through dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru, while supplies last.
- Forgotten Island, distributed by Universal Pictures, opens in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026.
- Deco sat down with the big cast to see why this island is one trip you definitely won’t forget!
- The animated movie, “Forgotten Island” follows two besties on their last summer vacation before one goes off to college.
Sources
- Animated Viewslink
- Animation Magazinelink
- Cinemaloguelink
- CityNews Torontolink
- Colliderlink
- Gold Derbylink
- Just Jaredlink
- Red Carpet Fashion Awardslink
- Refinery29link
- The Hollywood Reporterlink
- TheGriolink
- VailDaily.comlink
- Varietylink
- Village Pipollink
- WSVNlink
- weareresonate.comlink
- Universal Pictures / YouTube — video link