WATCH: Dreamworks' Forgotten Island Goes All In on Filipino Culture and Mythology

(SPOT.ph) When we heard last year that DreamWorks Animation was working on a movie inspired by Filipino mythology, we expected the typical treatment—maybe a few references sprinkled in here and there, just enough to say it counts. Now that the trailer for Forgotten Island is out, it’s clear they went all in.

Because this is not giving token inspiration. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano lead the animated original as Jo and Raissa, two best friends about to go their separate ways after high school. A mysterious portal pulls them into Nakali (probably short for “nakalimutan” is our guess), an island filled with mythical creatures they grew up hearing about from their Filipino families. They have to fight a curse that causes them to forget their memories the longer they stay on the island.

Right off the bat, you see the girls toying with a balisong. Later, they’re seen hanging out on the hood of a traditional jeepney. The portal that opens is shaped like the sun on the Philippine flag, with a Sarimanok that wakes the girls on the island. All that unfolding to the soundtrack of “Don’t You (Forget About Me).”

Also read: 10 Great Reads About Philippine Mythology

The movie is packed with figures straight out of Filipino folklore, the most notable of which is, of course, the Manananggal. The most feared creature on the island is voiced by none other than Lea Salonga. If that’s already front and center in the trailer, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing more—hopefully a kapre, tikbalang, and the rest of the usual suspects?

The film is stacked with Filipino talent, too. Alongside H.E.R., Soberano, and Salonga, the film features Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick, Freaky Friday 2), Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, A Very Good Girl), and comedian Jo Koy—names that Filipino audiences will easily recognize—along with Dave Franco, Jenny Slate and Ronny Chieng.

We know the movie is in good hands because it was written and directed by Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado, who previously co-directed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. This will be his solo directorial debut, alongside veteran DreamWorks collaborator Joel Crawford, with production by Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominee Mark Swift.

Before stepping into a directorial role, Mercado worked as a story artist on Kung Fu Panda 2, Penguins of Madagascar, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

Forgotten Island is scheduled to hit Philippine cinemas on September 25, 2026. We don't know about you, but we've already marked our calendars for this. Watch the trailer below:

Also read: This Upcoming 2D Romantic Thriller Is Set in a “Dark Fantasy Philippines”