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 proudly welcomes a dazzling and emotional story deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Forgotten Island tells the tale of two lifelong best friends who must come together before time and distance pull them apart.

Friendship, magic, and memories

Forgotten Island is a love letter to the motherland, and if the trailer is any indication, it’s going to be a heartwarming wave of nostalgia that will wash over every Filipino, no matter where they are in the world.

From the cute nod to anik-anik and the sun-drenched afternoons in a high school classroom to the vivid, spine-tingling appearances of Filipino folklore creatures, every frame is a vibrant reminder that our culture has always been epic.

While celebrating their last night together, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) accidentally travel to the mysterious island of Nakali. As they look for a way home, joined by well-meaning-but-hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, they stumble upon magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.

Filipino star power

For a film so deeply rooted in Philippine culture, seeing Filipino talents take center stage in the Forgotten Island is nothing short of a love letter to our heritage.

Grammy and Academy Award-winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths.

After getting mysteriously transported to the island of Nakali, Jo and Raissa discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home.

To save their friendship, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony-winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island.

The film’s all-star voice cast also includes Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick), global comedy superstar Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn), and BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Ghostlight).

When’s the premiere?

Catch the captivating tale as Forgotten Island arrives in Philippine cinemas on September 23. Check out Universal Pictures PH (Facebook), UniversalPicturesPH (Instagram), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest news and updates.

In the meantime, catch the trailer here:

Are you excited for the Forgotten Island?