“Forgotten Island” Trailer Brings Filipino Mythical Creatures to a Dreamworks Adventure

Filipino folklore takes center stage in the new trailer for “Forgotten Island,” a DreamWorks Animation original about friendship, memory, and the stories passed down through Filipino families.

The film stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as Jo and Raissa, two lifelong best friends who grew up inseparable.

As they spend one final night together before Raissa leaves for college in America, the two discover a mysterious portal that transports them to Nakali, a magical island filled with creatures from Filipino folklore.

A Story About Friendship and Memory

At the heart of “Forgotten Island” is a friendship facing change.

Jo and Raissa are high school graduates about to take separate paths, but their last night together turns into an unexpected journey through a world shaped by the stories they grew up hearing from their Filipino families.

On the island of Nakali, they encounter magical and mythological creatures, some friendly and others dangerous.

To return home, they must face The Dreaded Manananggal, voiced by Tony-winning icon Lea Salonga.

The challenge comes with a painful cost: the memories of their friendship may be the price of leaving the island.

Filipino Folklore on a Global Stage

“Forgotten Island” gives Filipino mythology a major animated platform.

Through Nakali, the film brings local creatures, family stories, and cultural imagination into a fantasy adventure designed for global audiences.

For Filipino viewers, the trailer offers a meaningful glimpse of folklore represented in a DreamWorks Animation film, with familiar myths reimagined through humor, emotion, and cinematic scale.

The Team Behind the Film

The film is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with Mark Swift producing.

The creative team previously worked on “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” known for combining emotional storytelling with bold animation and adventure.

DreamWorks Animation has long built stories around memorable relationships, from “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Shrek” to “The Wild Robot.”

With “Forgotten Island,” the studio focuses on two best friends fighting to protect the bond that shaped them.

A Star-Studded Voice Cast

The film’s voice cast also includes Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng.

Dave Franco voices Raww, a well-meaning but hapless weredog who joins Jo and Raissa on their journey.

The ensemble brings together Filipino and international talent for a story built around friendship, identity, comedy, and cultural memory.

Coming to Philippine Cinemas

“Forgotten Island” opens in Philippine cinemas on September 23.

The new trailer is now available online, giving audiences a closer look at Nakali, its mythical creatures, and the emotional stakes behind Jo and Raissa’s adventure.

For Filipino moviegoers, “Forgotten Island” is more than another animated release. It is a story that places Filipino folklore, friendship, and family-rooted storytelling in the spotlight.