Forgotten Island (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – Follows two best friends who become stranded on the mystical world of Nakali, where their only escape might cost them their shared lifetime of memories.

My Take – Ever since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) rewired the possibilities of studio animation with its exhilarating fusion of 2D art, stop-motion influences, and cutting-edge CGI, the industry has been racing to catch up. Thankfully, the results have been remarkable. From The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) to The Wild Robot (2024), mainstream animation has increasingly broken free from the familiar Pixar template, embracing bolder visual experimentation and more distinctive artistic identities.

That evolution continues with the latest feature from directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, the creative duo behind DreamWorks’ acclaimed Shrek spin-off sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). Here, they push their visual ambitions even further, crafting a richly textured, wildly imaginative world that frequently abandons conventional 3D aesthetics in favor of something far more expressive and inventive.

Drawing from a vibrant tapestry of Filipino mythology, the duo deliver what initially feels like an animated fantasy spin on The Hangover (2009), but gradually reveals itself as a heartfelt story about friendship, identity, and memory. Brought vividly to life by an exceptional voice cast, the film populates its fantastical landscape with characters who are as emotionally engaging as they are entertaining.

Sure, though echoes of The Last Wish are impossible to ignore, this is far more than a repetition of past successes. Beneath its dazzling visuals lies a surprisingly poignant emotional journey. The central friendship feels authentic and deeply relatable, while the film’s reflections on memory, loss, and the moments that shape us carry genuine emotional weight.

Part mythological adventure, part road-trip comedy, and wholly original in spirit, it unfolds within one of the most imaginative animated worlds in recent memory. Unsurprisingly, DreamWorks Animation has delivered yet another triumph. Visually breathtaking, emotionally resonant, and endlessly charming, this stands among the very best animated films of 2026.

Beginning in the 1990s Philippines, the story follows Josephine “Jo” Yuson (voiced by H.E.R.), an imaginative and fiercely curious schoolgirl who forms an unlikely friendship with classmate Raissa Molina (voiced by Liza Soberano) after the two land in the principal’s office together. Fascinated by Filipino mythology and inspired by stories from her grandmother Lola (voiced by Dolly de Leon), Jo grows up believing in the existence of Nakali, a legendary island filled with magical creatures and forgotten wonders.

As the years pass, she and Raissa escape into elaborate fantasies inspired by these tales, strengthening a bond that becomes increasingly difficult to imagine living without. But when Raissa prepares to leave for Caltech in the United States and Jo is still grieving the loss of her grandmother, the prospect of separation becomes almost unbearable. Determined to make one final memory together, Jo convinces Raissa to embark on one last late-night adventure. Instead, their celebration takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious sand dollar opens a portal to the very island Jo has spent her life dreaming about.

The girls awaken on Nakali with no memory of how they arrived, the magical sand dollar missing, and a bewildering new companion named Raww (voiced by Dave Franco), a were-aspin who insists they recruited him as their guide. Things become even stranger when Raissa discovers she has sprouted wings and the pair realize they share a mysterious tattoo with Raww.

Their best chance of returning home appears to lie with Batiba (voiced by Jenny Slate), a sly feline-like creature who offers assistance for a steep price: the friendship bracelets that contain every cherished memory they have shared. Refusing to part with their past, Jo and Raissa instead set off across Nakali in search of the lost sand dollar, encountering a colorful array of mythical creatures, unexpected allies, and dangerous foes on a race against time to get Raissa home before her flight departs on the other side of the portal.

What makes the experiences so refreshing is its embrace of Filipino mythology, introducing a vibrant collection of creatures and legends rarely seen in mainstream animation. Writers-directors Crawford and Mercado pair these folkloric elements with a hyperactive visual style that blends anime, manga, 1990s street art, video games, and classic Hanna-Barbera influences, creating a dazzling sensory overload.

The film is a glorious mishmash of ideas. References range from Tom Cruise and Will Smith‘s Oscar slap to Predator (1987), while Tagalog dialogue, Filipino pop music, energy drinks, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and indigenous instruments all coexist in a world where a giant wooden chicken can function as a Trojan horse.

It is chaotic, silly, and consistently entertaining. Despite its PG rating, the film isn’t afraid to get a little weird or scary. While much of its potty humor is aimed at younger audiences, the vampiric Manang (voiced by Lea Salonga) brings genuine menace to the story, creating some surprisingly tense moments.

Beneath the spectacle lies a heartfelt story about friendship, belonging, and growing apart. Jo and Raissa may finally be living out their childhood fantasy, but their unresolved fears and insecurities threaten to pull them apart. Their cherished charm bracelet, built from years of shared adventures, becomes the emotional centerpiece of a story about preserving the memories and relationships that shape us.

Visually, the film is the most striking CGI animated film since Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Its constantly shifting art styles, vibrant color palette, and fearless creativity make every new location feel like a discovery. Like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, it never hesitates to swing for the fences, whether through anime-inspired flourishes, visual gags, or wildly imaginative creatures.

While the film occasionally struggles to unite all of its ideas into a fully satisfying emotional payoff, its ambition, originality, and visual inventiveness are impossible to deny. The film is funny, charming, and unforgettable, even when its many moving parts don’t always fit together perfectly.

The voice cast is as lively as the animation itself. H.E.R. gives Jo infectious energy and emotional depth, while Liza Soberano brings warmth and sincerity to Raissa. Dave Franco steals plenty of scenes as the endlessly enthusiastic Raww, balancing comedy with surprising heart. Strong support also comes from Jenny Slate, Ronny Chieng, Kevin McCann, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, Lea Salonga, and Dolly de Leon, who help bring the film’s colorful world to life. On the whole, ‘Forgotten Island‘ is a head-spinning animated adventure that blends Filipino mythology, heartfelt friendship, and spectacular visuals into a delightful crowd-pleaser.