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Forgotten Island': How DreamWorks Made A Love Letter To Filipino Culture And Mythology
Confirmed
In Short: Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, is an animated adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture, featuring the voices of H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
Beyond its mythical elements, Forgotten Island draws on familiar aspects of Filipino culture, including traditional legends and family relationships.
The story combines fantasy adventure with elements of Filipino culture, from traditional legends and language to everyday experiences.
Mercado, one of the directors, emphasized that Forgotten Island is a celebration of friendship, Filipino culture, and '80s/'90s American radio.
Filipino performers such as Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon, along with Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, contribute to the film's cultural authenticity.
One Malaysian viewer praised the film’s colorful animation and relatable Filipino and South-east Asian elements.
Waze, the navigation app, has introduced a new feature inspired by Forgotten Island, allowing users to activate a 'Nostalgic' mood and swap their navigation arrow for a vibrant hero ride, 'Jo’s Jeepney,' a nod to Filipino cultural heritage.
Critics have noted that while the film is hyper-paced and frenetic, it remains a heartfelt celebration of friendship and Filipino culture.
Background
Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, is an animated adventure that celebrates Filipino folklore and culture, featuring the voices of H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
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.
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, and Lea Salonga.
What's confirmed
- For DreamWorks directors and best friends Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado ( Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ), Forgotten Island offered an opportunity to make an original movie that was a wildly imaginative love letter to their shared Filipino culture and mythology.
- Then, as they hear their forgotten story recounted by others they meet, the 3D animation shifts more drastically, turning 2D and reflecting styles found in anime and manga, including chibi.
- It wasn't until Forgotten Island that I understood that Dave Franco was put on this earth to play a weredog screw-up named Raww.
What's still developing
- Sept 24 — A mysterious island, mythical creatures and two childhood friends trying to find their way home form the heart of Forgotten Island, DreamWorks Animation’s latest adventure rooted in Philippine culture.
- For all of its bells and whistles — and there are many, the hyper-paced film employing multiple visual styles in a largely effective way — “Forgotten Island” ultimately is the story of longtime besties Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), whose strong bond is tested as forces threaten to pull them apart.
- Moments later it’s daytime on Nakali, “Forgotten Island” establishing its unmistakable “The Hangover”-but-for-tweens blueprint.
- She was the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” as well as Fa Mulan in “Mulan” and “Mulan 2.” Later this month, Salonga, who made her singing debut when she was just seven years old in her native Manila, appears in “Forgotten Island,” DreamWorks Animation’s Philippines-set fantasy adventure about childhood friends who get trapped in the mystical world of Nakali.
- ‘ Forgotten Island ’ centers on two young girls named Raissa ( Liza Soberano ) and Jo ( H.E.R.
- On the surface, DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is a bit of a hard sell.
- Just like with the shockingly excellent Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which was also directed by Joel Crawford (Crawford co-directs and co-writes here with Januel Mercado), Forgotten Island manages to bring all of these disparate elements together in a gorgeously animated movie about the enduring power of friendship that is by turns hilariously ludicrous and deeply heartfelt.
- But those who do seek out Forgotten Island will be well rewarded with a feast for the eyes and heart.
- Waze is bringing your new navigation best friend to the passenger seat, just in time for the release of DreamWorks Animation’s new original film Forgotten Island, arriving in theaters September 25, 2026.
- Ready to turn your daily commute into an epic island adventure?
- Download the latest version of Waze and look for the “Forgotten Island” banner in the menu or activate it now.
- Yet for everyone who found their best friend during that formative time, FORGOTTEN ISLAND plays like a resounding anthem.