DreamWorks Animation is gearing up to close out September with a brand new original adventure. ‘Forgotten Island‘ is an American animated fantasy adventure comedy written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. In a market crowded with sequels and franchise extensions, an original story rooted in friendship is already turning heads.
The filmmakers drew on their own friendship and on Philippine mythology while building the story. That personal spark is a big part of why ‘Forgotten Island’ has generated so much early buzz, and why the film feels like a real event for animation fans.
‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date and Time
Moviegoers do not have long to wait. ‘Forgotten Island’ premieres in U.S. theaters on September 25, with preview screenings on September 24. Those previews are special evening engagements the night before the wide opening.
The film is a theatrical exclusive. DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures are releasing it in theaters, and the official DreamWorks page confirms the September 25 date. Reported runtimes vary slightly, with one listing at 108 minutes and another at 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Early reactions have been encouraging. Work in progress screenings were held at CinemaCon and at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film has already earned raves at Annecy in June.
The Voice Cast Behind Nakali
The lead pairing is a strong one. Jo is voiced by H.E.R. and Raissa by Liza Soberano. The voice cast honors the story’s roots by including many Filipino voice artists.
The supporting lineup is stacked with comedy talent. Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng all round out the all star voice cast. Dave Franco plays Raww, a well meaning but hapless weredog who joins the heroes along with a small but mighty pack of pals.
Then there is the villain. Tony winning icon Lea Salonga voices the Dreaded Manananggal, the most feared creature on the island. Casting a theater legend as a menacing figure from Filipino folklore is exactly the kind of choice that gets fans talking.
The announcements came in stages. Initial cast members were revealed in October, with further casting confirmed the following March.
The ‘Forgotten Island’ Plot Explained
The setup is simple and emotional. Jo and Raissa are recent high school graduates who grew up in the Philippines and have been besties since grade school. They are about to part ways because Raissa has been accepted to CalTech, thousands of miles away.
During their farewell celebration, everything changes. The pair stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali. The island is packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families, and some become friends while others become foes.
The hook is where the story turns bittersweet. The price of returning home is the memory of their entire friendship, so the two must race to leave before they forget each other forever. It is a heavy idea for a family adventure, and it gives the comedy real emotional stakes.
Parents should note the rating too. The film carries a rating for animated sequences of scary action, language, rude humor, thematic elements, some violence and brief tobacco imagery.
Watching the ‘Forgotten Island’ Trailer
Audiences can already get a taste of Nakali. Both the teaser trailer and the full trailer are available at the film’s official website. A second official trailer was added in late June.
The footage sells the heart of the story first. The trailer quickly establishes that this is not simply a traditional fantasy adventure, since Jo and Raissa face a very real problem in their childhood friendship being about to change. That grounded emotional setup makes the leap into the portal land feel earned rather than random.
The studio is also leaning on its pedigree. DreamWorks points to its history of unforgettable bonds in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, ‘Shrek’ and ‘The Wild Robot’, and pitches this film as a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart. The directing and producing team is also behind the studio’s Oscar nominated ‘Puss in Boots’ sequel.
With the premiere right around the corner, ‘Forgotten Island’ looks set to make a serious play for both kids and the adults who bring them. If you had to choose between escaping Nakali or keeping every memory of your best friend, which would you pick, and would Jo and Raissa make the same call?
