DreamWorks Unleashes First Trailer for ‘Forgotten Island’
DreamWorks Animation has dropped the first trailer for its highly anticipated new movie, “Forgotten Island.” Set in the 1990s, the animated adventure follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R and Liza Soberano, as they stumble upon a magical portal during their last night together before going separate ways.
The portal takes them into fantastical worlds from Filipino folklore, full of shapeshifters, witches, demons, and other mystical creatures. Their friendship is tested as they try to find their way back home.
The film is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who say the story is inspired by their own friendship. Mercado shared at a DreamWorks event in Glendale, “We very quickly found out we have very similar sensibilities.” H.E.R, who makes her animation voice acting debut in the film, said she was thrilled to connect with her Filipino roots through the story.
“I literally grew up on these stories. I get to share a piece of my childhood in this work and with the world,” she said. Soberano added, “It’s been a long-time dream of mine to be able to be in a project that really represented the Philippines in a very accurate way, but at the same time, is universal enough for people to relate to.”
This September, experience the adventure of a lifetime. @DreamWorks Forgotten Island is only in theaters September 25! pic.twitter.com/zWCgjdTHb9
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) March 25, 2026
Crawford and Mercado explained why they chose the 1990s as the setting. “It was telling a story about friends growing apart and feeling like it’s going to be final when a friend is going off to college,” Crawford said.
Mercado added, “Polaroids are a big part of this movie. Think about a Polaroid pack — you’ve got 12 pictures, and you’re going to be very specific how you use them. Versus now, we have phones and how you take a bunch of pictures, do you ever look at them again? A lot of those things are about tapping into nostalgia and reinforcing the stakes of this movie, which are about moments and memories.”
The animation style of “Forgotten Island” blends traditional hand-drawn techniques with modern cinematic approaches. Crawford explained, “There are ties to anime in terms of action or pushing character expressions.” Mercado added, “We push the 2D elements that we played with on ‘Puss in Boots’ with hand-drawn, painterly textures that bring the fantasy aspect to life. We treat the cinematography like shooting a film with wider lenses and light that leaks into the camera, connecting to the theme of memories and nostalgia.”
The film also features a star-studded voice cast including Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, Dolly de Leon, Ronny Chieng, and Amielynn Abellera.
“Forgotten Island” is set to release in the United States on September 25. The trailer showcases a mix of humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments that highlight the power of friendship, nostalgia, and imagination.
This film looks like a must-watch for fans of animated adventures, especially those interested in stories with cultural depth. The combination of Filipino folklore, 90s nostalgia, and high-quality animation feels unique for a major studio release. I’m curious what you think—does “Forgotten Island” have the potential to become a classic? Share your thoughts in the comments.