‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date, Time, Plot, Cast and Trailer for DreamWorks Fantasy

DreamWorks Animation is preparing to wrap up September with an exciting new original adventure. ‘Forgotten Island‘ is an American animated fantasy adventure comedy crafted by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. In a landscape filled with sequels and franchise expansions, this original tale centered on friendship is already capturing attention.

The filmmakers drew inspiration from their own friendship and Philippine mythology while developing the narrative. This personal touch is a significant reason why ‘Forgotten Island’ has created such early excitement, making it feel like a noteworthy event for animation enthusiasts.

Moviegoers won’t have to wait long. ‘Forgotten Island’ is set to premiere in U.S. theaters on September 25, with preview screenings scheduled for September 24. These previews will be special evening events the night before the film’s wide release.

The film will be a theatrical exclusive, distributed by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, with the official DreamWorks page confirming 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 positive. Work-in-progress screenings took place at CinemaCon and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where the film received acclaim in June.

The lead voice cast is impressive. Jo is voiced by H.E.R. and Raissa by Liza Soberano, with many Filipino voice artists included to honor the story’s roots.

The supporting cast features a wealth of comedic talent, including Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. Dave Franco voices Raww, a well-meaning but clumsy weredog who joins the heroes along with a small but fierce group of friends.

The villain is voiced by Tony-winning icon Lea Salonga, who portrays the Dreaded Manananggal, the most feared creature on the island. Casting a theater legend in this menacing role from Filipino folklore is precisely the kind of decision that sparks conversation among fans.

The casting announcements were made in stages, with initial members revealed in October and further confirmations following in March.

The plot is both simple and poignant. Jo and Raissa are recent high school graduates from the Philippines and have been best friends since grade school. They are about to part ways as Raissa has been accepted to CalTech, which is thousands of miles away.

During their farewell celebration, everything changes when they stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali. This island is filled with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families, some of whom become allies while others turn into adversaries.

The story takes a bittersweet turn as the price of returning home is the memory of their entire friendship. Jo and Raissa must race against time to leave before they forget each other forever. This heavy concept adds real emotional stakes to the family adventure.

Parents should also be aware of the film’s rating, which includes animated sequences of scary action, language, rude humor, thematic elements, some violence, and brief tobacco imagery.

Audiences can already catch a glimpse of Nakali. Both the teaser trailer and the full trailer are available on the film’s official website, with a second official trailer released in late June.

The trailers emphasize the heart of the story. They quickly establish that this is not just a traditional fantasy adventure, as Jo and Raissa confront the very real issue of their childhood friendship about to change. This grounded emotional setup makes the leap into the portal land feel earned rather than arbitrary.

DreamWorks is also leaning on its legacy. The studio highlights its history of unforgettable bonds in films like ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, ‘Shrek’, and ‘The Wild Robot’, promoting this movie as a dazzling and emotional tale about two lifelong best friends who must unite before they drift apart. The directing and producing team is also behind the studio’s Oscar-nominated ‘Puss in Boots’ sequel.

With the premiere just around the corner, ‘Forgotten Island’ is poised to make a significant impact on both children and the adults accompanying them. If faced with the choice between escaping Nakali or preserving every memory of your best friend, which would you choose? Would Jo and Raissa make the same decision?