Story perspectives

DreamWorks' “Forgotten Island” Debuts 2026 with Filipino Folklore

6/24/2026

Summary

Jo and Raissa Escape

DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures will release “Forgotten Island” on September 25, 2026.
The film follows graduates Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano) who fall through a portal onto Nakali, a Filipino-folklore island.
They confront the Manananggal, voiced by Lea Salonga, and escape before losing memories.
Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado and Mark Swift write, direct, and produce the film.

Summary

DreamWorks Launches ForgottenIsland

DreamWorks Animation markets Forgotten Island as its latest release after The Wild Robot.
The studio cites its pedigree, referencing the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, Shrek, and The Wild Robot.
Directors Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado and producer Mark Swift are Academy Award nominees, emphasizing the high-profile team.
Promotional materials claim Forgotten Island will be just as impressive as DreamWorks’ earlier hits like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon.

History

Historical Context

DreamWorks Animation’s breakthrough came with Shrek, released May 18 2001 and earning $484 million worldwide, helping establish DreamWorks as a competitor to Pixar in computer animation, which led to its 2016 acquisition by NBCUniversal. The later Universal-co-financed Madagascar (2005) cemented a profitable partnership model, paving the way for the upcoming 2026 Forgotten Island collaboration.

1 of 3

Jo and Raissa Escape

DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures will release “Forgotten Island” on September 25, 2026.
The film follows graduates Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano) who fall through a portal onto Nakali, a Filipino-folklore island.
They confront the Manananggal, voiced by Lea Salonga, and escape before losing memories.
Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado and Mark Swift write, direct, and produce the film.

1 / 3