DreamWorks Animation released the second official trailer for Forgotten Island, an upcoming animated adventure film inspired by Filipino folklore and mythology. The trailer showcases the all-star voice cast, led by Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R., Filipino actress Liza Soberano, and Tony Award-winning icon Lea Salonga.
The film follows two childhood best friends, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who are transported through a magical portal to the island of Nakali, a place filled with creatures from Filipino mythology. The new trailer gives audiences a better look at the film’s fantastical world and the peril the characters face.
The Voice Cast of Forgotten Island
Forgotten Island brings together an impressive group of actors for its voice cast. The main cast includes:
- H.E.R. as Jo
- Liza Soberano as Raissa
- Dave Franco as Raww, a weredog
- Lea Salonga as The Dreaded Manananggal
- Jenny Slate in an undisclosed role
- Manny Jacinto in an undisclosed role
- Dolly de Leon as Jo’s Lola (grandmother)
- Jo Koy in an undisclosed role
- Ronny Chieng in an undisclosed role
The cast also includes a special appearance from BINI, SB19, Ruby Ibarra, Carl Angelo, and Sophia Laforteza, who will contribute to the film’s official soundtrack.
Directors and Creative Team
Forgotten Island is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the filmmaking team behind the Oscar-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Mercado, a Filipino-American director, makes his feature directorial debut with this project. He previously served as a co-director on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and head of story on The Croods: A New Age.
The film is produced by Mark Swift, another collaborator from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The creative team is bringing their experience in animation to this original story rooted in Philippine culture.
The Story of Forgotten Island
The official synopsis for Forgotten Island describes the emotional journey the characters take. Jo and Raissa are high school graduates who have been best friends since grade school. They are about to go their separate ways in life when they discover a portal to the magical island of Nakali.
On the island, they encounter creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families. Some help them, while others want to stop them. The most dangerous creature is The Dreaded Manananggal, voiced by Lea Salonga. Raww, a weredog voiced by Dave Franco, warns them about the dangers of the island.
The main problem the characters face is that their memories start to fade the longer they stay on Nakali. Jo and Raissa must find a way to leave the island before they forget each other and their friendship forever.
Trailer Details and Philippine Mythology
The new trailer opens with young Jo and Raissa meeting as schoolchildren. They promise to be best friends forever. Jo’s grandmother, voiced by Dolly de Leon, tells them about Nakali. She says, “You don’t find the forgotten island, it finds you.”
The trailer shows the girls falling through a portal that looks like the sun from the Philippine flag. They land in Nakali in front of a Sarimanok, a legendary bird from Filipino folklore. They also see a Tikbalang, a horse-like creature, practicing Arnis, a Filipino martial art.
Lea Salonga’s character, the Manananggal, appears as a major threat. She is described as a demon who takes memories the longer someone stays on the island. Raissa becomes worried that she and Jo will forget they were friends. The trailer ends with Raww the weredog changing into an Aspin, a native Filipino dog breed, showing more cultural details.
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Release Date and Theatrical Details
Forgotten Island is scheduled to release in theaters on September 25, 2026. The film will also preview at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival before its official release.
Universal Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. The movie is expected to have a wide theatrical release in the Philippines starting September 23, 2026.
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