Forgotten Island (2026) Review: A Friendship Tested By Fading Memories

This Forgotten Island review starts with a simple question: what would you give up to get home? DreamWorks Animation's new adventure, directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, turns that question into a fast, funny and surprisingly tender story about two best friends. It is an animated action film with a lot of heart and a distinctly Filipino flavor.

Forgotten Island Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

Jo and Raissa have just graduated from high school and are spending one last night together before life pulls them in different directions. Then they find a mysterious portal that carries them to Nakali, a fantastical island filled with creatures from folklore. The Forgotten Island plot gets its hook quickly: leaving the island will cost them the memories of their entire friendship.

That sets up a race against time. The pair must find a way home that doesn't wipe out the bond that brought them there. The tagline, "No memory left behind," sums up the stakes neatly.

The idea is easy for any viewer to grasp, and it gives the adventure a clear emotional engine. Fear of growing apart is something almost everyone has felt at the end of school.

What Works in Forgotten Island

The biggest strength is the friendship at the center. The film keeps returning to small shared moments, which makes the threat of forgetting feel personal rather than abstract. Audience reviewers single out the tear-jerking scenes, and that matches the premise.

The world of Nakali is also a pleasure to explore. Early viewers praise the immersive world-building, the colorful animation and the anime-style touches. The island's creatures are drawn from Filipino folklore, which gives the setting more personality than a generic fantasy land.

Other highlights include:

• Physical comedy and jokes that keep the pace lively

• Distinctive island characters with plenty of personality

• An upbeat soundtrack, with songs such as "Salbahe Ako"

If you enjoy animation movie reviews that mix humor with real feeling, this will feel familiar in the best way.

Forgotten Island Cast and Performances

The Forgotten Island cast is led by H.E.R. as Jo and Liza Soberano as Raissa. Their chemistry matters most, since the whole story depends on believing these two would fight to keep each other in their lives.

Dave Franco voices Raww, a dog-like guide the girls meet on the island. Jenny Slate plays Batiba, Manny Jacinto voices Bungi Tiyanak, and Lea Salonga lends her voice to Manang. That is a strong ensemble for a family film, and Salonga's presence is a nice nod to the film's Filipino roots.

I can't pretend every character gets equal room to shine. Still, the voice work keeps the quirky island residents lively and distinct.

Where Forgotten Island Stumbles

The main complaint from early viewers is speed. The film moves quickly, and one fan noted they wished it would slow down so the story and its lessons could sink in. When a film is about the weight of memory, a few more quiet beats would have helped.

There is also some familiarity in the structure. A portal, a strange island, a quest for a lost object and a price to pay are well-worn ingredients. One critical reviewer found the setup a little busy and rated it a modest 6 out of 10.

These are not fatal flaws. They do keep the film from being a true classic.

Is Forgotten Island Worth Watching?

Yes, Forgotten Island is worth watching, especially if you like heartfelt animated adventures. It balances humor, spectacle and an emotional core that should resonate with teens and parents as much as with younger kids. The PG rating and 109-minute runtime make it an easy family outing.

Audience reception has been warm, with a 7.6 out of 10 average on TMDB from early votes. Some viewers recommend the big screen for the animation and songs. The Forgotten Island release date is September 10, 2026.

Who Will Enjoy Forgotten Island

• Families looking for a funny, emotional animated adventure

• Fans of DreamWorks films with strong friendship themes

• Viewers curious about Filipino folklore in a mainstream animated film

For more, browse our family movie reviews or try another recent animated-style adventure from our adventure movie reviews. You can also check the Forgotten Island page on IMDb for full credits.