'Forgotten Island' Achieves Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score as DreamWorks' New Crown Jewel

DreamWorks Animation has established itself with bold ventures, from ogres to dragons and even a stylish outlaw cat. Its latest release, ‘Forgotten Island’, marks a significant milestone as the studio’s 50th animated feature. This original story draws inspiration from Philippine mythology and culture.

Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film reflects their shared Filipino heritage and long-standing friendship, which began during their collaboration on ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’. Their previous co-directing project, ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’, received a commendable 95% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes from 196 reviews and was nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar.

Now, they have surpassed that achievement. ‘Forgotten Island’ currently boasts a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes after 55 reviews, with the outlet labeling it one of the best-rated animated films of all time.

Screenshot 2026 09 24 at 21 10 55 Forgotten Island Rotten Tomatoes

Initial reviews have praised the film’s vibrant energy and stunning visuals. The Hollywood Reporter described the animation as dazzling and incredibly fast-paced, drawing influences from anime, Studio Ghibli, and ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. Refinery29 highlighted its joyful and hilarious nature, suggesting it could evoke tears from many viewers.

IGN characterized it as a powerful narrative about the significance of friendship and the cherished memories we create with loved ones. Other critics have noted its cultural importance, calling it a lively celebration of friendship, dreams, and Filipino culture. However, not all reviews are entirely positive, with one critic mentioning that the film’s pace can be overwhelming at times.

This frenetic pacing is a recurring observation. IndieWire described the film as a kid-friendly blend of ‘Superbad’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, and ‘The Hangover’, deeply rooted in Filipino folklore. It presents a bold concept for a PG-rated animated adventure.

The story follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa in 1990s Philippines. On their final night together before Raissa departs for college in the United States, they discover a mysterious portal that transports them to the enchanting island of Nakali, filled with the magical and mythological beings they grew up hearing about from their families.

The twist is that the cost of returning home is the memories of their entire friendship, forcing them to race against time to escape the island before they forget each other forever. Along the way, they confront The Dreaded Manananggal, the most feared creature on Nakali.

The voice cast is impressive, featuring Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. as Jo and Liza Soberano as Raissa, alongside Dave Franco as Raww, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Eric Bauza. Tony Award winner Lea Salonga lends her voice to the Manananggal.

Start making plans with your Wild Pack!! 🤜💥🤛 GET TICKETS to experience Forgotten Island only in theaters September 25. https://t.co/Kr0iloZyC7 pic.twitter.com/GJ7gP5pXCQ

— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) September 8, 2026

The film also holds historical significance, as Forbes reports it features the largest concentration of Filipino and Filipino-American talent in a major Hollywood animated film. The soundtrack reflects this diversity, with contributions from H.E.R., Lea Salonga, SB19, BINI, and Sophia Laforteza.

Anticipation has been building for months. The film received an enthusiastic response during its work-in-progress screening at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. Crawford and Mercado have described it as their most personal project to date, inspired by two real-life Filipina women.

It’s important to note that the current score is subject to change as more reviews are added. The Popcornmeter, which is based on verified audience ratings, is also still evolving.

Nonetheless, the early reception is impressive. One outlet even claimed that the film’s debut has made it the highest-rated DreamWorks feature ever, surpassing ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘The Wild Robot’. This assertion was made when the score had only 21 reviews, so the real test will be whether it maintains this status.

‘Forgotten Island’ is set to premiere in US theaters on September 25, with preview screenings on September 24. The film is rated PG and has a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. If the reviews are any indication, families and animation enthusiasts have a new must-see film.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.