There’s a new DreamWorks animated movie in cinemas, and this one feels especially close to home for Filipino audiences.
Forgotten Island officially opens in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026, bringing a fantasy adventure heavily inspired by Filipino culture, folklore and mythology to the big screen.
And yes, the Philippines actually gets the movie ahead of its September 25 theatrical release in the United States.
The movie follows two best friends who suddenly find themselves transported to a mysterious island filled with creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families. Add Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon and several other familiar names to the voice cast, and it’s easy to understand why Forgotten Island has been getting plenty of attention locally.
So if you’re planning to watch the movie, here’s a guide to Forgotten Island in the Philippines, including its cinema release date, where to watch it, cast, story, runtime and other important details.
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When Is Forgotten Island Showing in the Philippines?
Forgotten Island officially opens nationwide in Philippine cinemas on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Filipino moviegoers actually had an opportunity to see it even earlier. Special sneak screenings were held around the country on September 19 and 20, several days before the regular theatrical run. Those screenings included cinemas in Metro Manila as well as locations around Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The Philippine release is also ahead of the movie’s September 25 U.S. theatrical opening listed by DreamWorks and Universal Pictures.
For Filipino fans who have been waiting for the film, September 23 is therefore the important date: Forgotten Island is now officially in its regular theatrical run in the Philippines.
Where to Watch Forgotten Island in the Philippines
The easiest way to watch Forgotten Island right now is in cinemas.
The movie is receiving a wide Philippine theatrical release, with current schedules appearing at major cinema chains around the country.
Tickets were initially made available through SM Cinema and Megaworld Cinemas, including their online ticketing platforms, apps and physical ticket booths.
Ayala Malls Cinemas also participated in the movie’s nationwide sneak screenings, and current September 23 schedules show regular screenings at Ayala locations such as Circuit Makati and Capitol Central.
Current cinema listings also show the movie screening across a large number of theaters and cities throughout the Philippines, including Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and many other areas.
Depending on where you live, check the schedules of nearby branches of SM Cinema, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Megaworld Cinemas and other local theaters.
Cinema schedules can change from day to day, especially after a movie’s opening week, so it’s still a good idea to check your preferred cinema before heading to the mall.
Is Forgotten Island Available on Netflix or Streaming?
Not yet.
As of September 23, 2026, Forgotten Island is primarily a theatrical release in the Philippines.
There is currently no announced Philippine streaming release date. A check of major streaming services listed by JustWatch Philippines also shows the movie as “coming soon,” with no confirmed streaming platform or date yet.
So if you want to watch Forgotten Island immediately, cinemas are currently the way to go.
Be careful with social media posts claiming that the movie is already available on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video or another streaming service unless the announcement comes from an official source.
I’ll update this section once an official Philippine streaming release is announced.
Forgotten Island Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie | Forgotten Island |
| Studio | DreamWorks Animation |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Philippine cinema release | September 23, 2026 |
| Genre | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family |
| Runtime | Around 1 hour 49 minutes |
| Rating | PG in current cinema listings |
| Directors | Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado |
| Main characters | Jo and Raissa |
| Setting | The mysterious island of Nakali |
| Main stars | H.E.R. and Liza Soberano |
Current Philippine cinema listings give Forgotten Island a running time of approximately 1 hour and 48–49 minutes and list it as PG.
What Is Forgotten Island About?
At the heart of Forgotten Island is the friendship between Jo and Raissa.
The two have been best friends since grade school, but after graduating from high school, they are preparing to go in different directions with their lives.
It’s a situation many people can probably relate to.
You spend years growing up with somebody, seeing them almost every day, and then suddenly graduation arrives and life begins pulling everyone in different directions.
On what is supposed to be one of their final nights together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal.
The portal transports them to Nakali, a strange and fantastical island populated by magical and mythological creatures that they recognize from stories told by their Filipino families.
They eventually learn that escaping the island comes with a terrible price.
Their memories of their friendship could disappear.
That turns what initially looks like a colorful fantasy adventure into something more emotional. Jo and Raissa aren’t simply trying to escape an island—they’re fighting to preserve the friendship and memories that helped shape who they are.
I’ll leave the rest there because this is supposed to be a spoiler-free guide.
Why Forgotten Island Is Special for Filipino Audiences
This is probably the biggest reason Forgotten Island is attracting so much attention in the Philippines.
Filipino culture isn’t simply a small reference hidden somewhere in the background of the movie. It plays an important role in its characters, mythology and world.
Reuters described the film as the first major animated feature to draw heavily from Filipino myths and culture.
The magical creatures inhabiting Nakali are inspired by stories that many Filipinos have heard while growing up.
One of the most prominent is the manananggal.
For anyone unfamiliar with Philippine folklore, the manananggal is one of the country’s most famous mythical creatures, traditionally described as a frightening supernatural being capable of separating its upper body from the lower half of its body.
In Forgotten Island, the feared Manananggal is voiced by none other than Lea Salonga.
Other elements of Philippine mythology also influence the world of Nakali.
But the Filipino connection doesn’t stop with mythical creatures.
The movie incorporates recognizable pieces of Filipino life and culture as well. Reviews have noted references ranging from karaoke and lechon to tinikling, giving Filipino viewers plenty of details to recognize throughout the film.
That’s what makes Forgotten Island interesting.
It isn’t simply a Hollywood animated movie with one Filipino character added to the cast. Filipino culture helps form the foundation of the story itself.
Who Voices Jo and Raissa?
The two main characters are voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
H.E.R. voices Jo, while Liza Soberano voices her longtime best friend Raissa.
H.E.R., whose mother is Filipina, has spoken about growing up hearing stories of creatures such as the manananggal from her family. That personal connection adds another layer to a movie already heavily influenced by Filipino folklore.
Liza Soberano’s involvement will obviously be another major draw for audiences in the Philippines.
She has steadily expanded her career beyond Philippine entertainment in recent years, and Forgotten Island places her at the center of a major DreamWorks production as one of its two lead characters.
H.E.R. and Soberano even visited the Philippines ahead of the movie’s release as part of its promotion.
Forgotten Island Cast
DreamWorks assembled a pretty impressive voice cast.
H.E.R. voices Jo, while Liza Soberano plays Raissa. Dave Franco voices Raww, a somewhat chaotic but well-meaning weredog who joins the girls on their adventure.
Lea Salonga voices the feared Manananggal.
The rest of the cast includes Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng.
That gives the movie a noticeable Filipino and Filipino-American presence both in its story and among the actors bringing its characters to life.
Who Created Forgotten Island?
Forgotten Island was written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.
They previously worked together on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, with Crawford directing and Mercado serving as co-director.
Mark Swift, who also worked on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, serves as producer.
Januel Mercado’s Filipino heritage is particularly significant to the new film.
The filmmakers have discussed how Filipino family experiences helped influence Forgotten Island, giving the fantasy world a cultural connection that goes deeper than simply using Philippine folklore as decoration.
What Is Nakali?
Nakali is the fantastical island where Jo and Raissa become trapped.
It isn’t presented as an actual Philippine island that viewers can visit. Instead, it is a fictional world inspired by Filipino folklore and the stories the characters heard from their families.
Inside Nakali are magical and mythological creatures—some helpful, others dangerous.
The island also comes with its own rules.
Most importantly, Jo and Raissa eventually discover that returning home could require sacrificing the memories of their friendship.
That idea gives Nakali an interesting purpose beyond simply providing an exotic location for an adventure.
The island essentially forces the characters to confront how much their friendship means to them.
Is Forgotten Island a Filipino Movie?
Technically, Forgotten Island is an American animated feature produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures.
But culturally, the Philippines plays a major role in the movie.
Its main characters come from Filipino families, its fantasy world draws from Philippine mythology, Filipino and Filipino-American actors make up a significant portion of its voice cast, and Philippine cultural references are woven throughout the story.
Even some of the production work has a Philippine connection. Reporting on the making of the film notes that Manila-based Snipple Animation worked on 2D animation sequences used in the movie.
So while it wouldn’t be accurate to describe Forgotten Island simply as a Philippine-produced movie, it is certainly one of DreamWorks’ most Filipino-influenced films.
And that’s a big part of what makes its Philippine release feel significant.
Is Forgotten Island for Kids?
Forgotten Island is an animated family adventure, and current Philippine cinema listings classify the movie as PG.
But like many DreamWorks movies, it appears designed to work on more than one level.
Younger viewers get the creatures, fantasy world, humor and adventure.
Older viewers may connect more with the movie’s themes involving friendship, growing apart, memories and the changes that happen as people move into a new chapter of their lives.
There are also creatures inspired by Philippine folklore, including the Manananggal, so very young children who are easily frightened may find some scenes a little intense even though the movie is presented as a family film.
How Long Is Forgotten Island?
Plan for roughly two hours inside the cinema.
The movie itself runs for approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Remember that cinema advertisements and trailers normally play before the actual feature, so the entire cinema visit will be slightly longer.
Where Can I Buy Forgotten Island Tickets?
Moviegoers can check their preferred cinema’s website, app or physical ticket counter.
SM Cinema and Megaworld Cinemas opened advance ticket sales before the nationwide release.
Ayala Malls Cinemas and other theater operators are also currently carrying screenings in selected branches.
Ticket prices depend on the cinema, location and theater format, so there isn’t one nationwide price for Forgotten Island.
Premium cinemas and special formats will naturally cost more than regular 2D screenings.
For the most accurate schedule, check the cinema on the same day you plan to watch because screening times and assigned theaters can change.
Is Forgotten Island Worth Watching for Filipinos?
Without turning this into a full movie review—and especially without spoiling anything—there is an obvious reason Filipino audiences may want to pay attention to Forgotten Island.
We don’t often see a major DreamWorks animated feature put Filipino mythology and Filipino characters this close to the center of its story.
You have two best friends from Filipino families entering a world inspired by the supernatural stories many of us heard growing up. You have a Manananggal voiced by Lea Salonga. Liza Soberano voices one of the main characters. Manny Jacinto and Dolly de Leon are in the cast.
Then you start noticing things such as food, music, family traditions and other little cultural references.
For Filipinos watching, part of the fun may simply be spotting those familiar details.
At the same time, the main story—two longtime friends facing the possibility that life might pull them apart—is universal enough that you don’t need to know anything about Filipino mythology before entering the cinema.
Forgotten Island Philippines Frequently Asked Questions
When does Forgotten Island come out in the Philippines?
Forgotten Island officially opens nationwide in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026. Special sneak screenings were held on September 19 and 20.
Where can I watch Forgotten Island in the Philippines?
The movie is currently screening in cinemas around the Philippines, including branches of major theater chains such as SM Cinema, Ayala Malls Cinemas and Megaworld Cinemas. Exact availability varies by location.
Is Forgotten Island on Netflix?
No confirmed Netflix release for the Philippines has been announced as of September 23, 2026.
Can I stream Forgotten Island online?
There is currently no announced Philippine streaming release date. The theatrical release remains the official way to watch it for now.
How long is Forgotten Island?
The film runs for approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Is Liza Soberano in Forgotten Island?
Yes. Liza Soberano voices Raissa, one of the movie’s two main characters.
Who does H.E.R. play?
H.E.R. voices Jo, Raissa’s childhood best friend.
Who does Lea Salonga play?
Lea Salonga voices the Dreaded Manananggal, one of the major creatures Jo and Raissa encounter on Nakali.
Is Forgotten Island based on Filipino mythology?
Filipino mythology is one of the movie’s biggest influences. The world of Nakali contains creatures and ideas drawn from Philippine folklore, while the main characters grew up hearing these stories from their Filipino families.
Final Thoughts
Forgotten Island is finally here, and this is one DreamWorks release that Filipino moviegoers may find particularly interesting.
It has the colorful animation and big fantasy adventure you’d expect from the studio, but underneath that is a story filled with things that feel surprisingly familiar—from Filipino folklore and mythical creatures to food, family stories and cultural traditions.
And having talents such as Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto and Dolly de Leon involved makes the Philippine connection even stronger.
Forgotten Island officially opened in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026, and for now, watching it on the big screen is your best option.
If you’re heading to the cinema, check the latest schedule from your preferred theater before leaving home because screening times and availability can change throughout the movie’s theatrical run.
As for streaming, there is no confirmed Philippine release date yet. Once Netflix, Prime Video, another streaming service or Universal officially announces where Forgotten Island will be available after its cinema run, this guide can be updated with the latest information.
