Forgotten Island (2026) | Dave Franco | Jenny Slate

Movie Details

Category	Details
Movie Name	Forgotten Island
Directors	Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado
Writers	Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado
Lead & Supporting Cast	H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, Lea Salonga, Amielynn Abellera
Genre	Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Music
Release Date / OTT Platform	September 25, 2026 / Theatrical Release
Runtime	Approximately 1 hour 49 minutes
Rating	4.5/5 Stars

Introduction & Overview

Forgotten Island (2026) is an animated fantasy adventure that combines friendship, Filipino folklore, comedy, music, mythology, and emotional storytelling into a colorful DreamWorks experience. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, the film centers on two best friends whose final night together unexpectedly becomes the beginning of a magical journey.

The story follows Jo, voiced by H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Liza Soberano. Just as their lives are about to take them in different directions, the two friends encounter a mysterious portal that transports them to Nakali, a fantastical island filled with legendary creatures drawn from Filipino mythology.

The movie’s strongest feature is the emotional idea at its center. Jo and Raissa are not simply trying to escape a strange magical world. They are trying to protect the memories that define their friendship.

Along the way, the film introduces a wonderfully eccentric supporting character in Raww, a well-meaning but hapless weredog voiced by Dave Franco. With colorful animation, imaginative creatures, energetic comedy, and a heartfelt story about growing up and holding on to meaningful relationships, Forgotten Island offers an adventure designed for both younger viewers and adults.

Detailed Plot Summary

The story begins with Jo and Raissa, two childhood best friends who have spent much of their lives together. Their friendship has become a defining part of their identities, but circumstances are about to force them onto different paths.

As they prepare for a major change in their lives, the possibility of separation creates an emotional tension between them. Their friendship has always felt permanent, but adulthood is beginning to introduce uncertainty.

During their final night together, Jo and Raissa encounter a mysterious portal. Instead of simply marking the end of one chapter of their lives, the portal transports them into the extraordinary world of Nakali.

Nakali is unlike anything they have previously experienced. The island is populated by magical creatures and legendary figures connected to the Filipino stories and mythology they grew up hearing from their families.

At first, the new world seems like an incredible adventure. But the excitement quickly becomes complicated when Jo and Raissa realize that escaping Nakali will come at a devastating price.

Their memories of their friendship are connected to their ability to return home. The longer they remain in this mysterious world, the greater the danger that they may forget the experiences and relationship that brought them there in the first place.

Their journey introduces them to a colorful group of characters, including Raww, a good-hearted but clumsy weredog. Dave Franco’s character becomes an important part of their adventure, adding plenty of comedy while also becoming a genuine companion during their journey.

The friends eventually face the Dreaded Manananggal, one of the most feared creatures in Nakali. Voiced by Lea Salonga, the character adds a darker element to the otherwise playful fantasy setting.

As Jo and Raissa search for a way home, the central conflict becomes increasingly emotional. They are not merely fighting monsters or solving magical puzzles. They are fighting to preserve the memories that define their lifelong friendship.

The film therefore uses its fantasy adventure as a metaphor for growing up, separation, change, and the fear that relationships can fade with time.

Cast Performances & Character Breakdown

H.E.R. as Jo

H.E.R. provides the voice of Jo, one of the film’s two central characters. Jo is emotionally connected to her friendship with Raissa and struggles with the possibility that their lives may soon move in different directions.

H.E.R.’s vocal performance gives Jo a combination of determination, warmth, vulnerability, and youthful energy. The character needs to function as both an adventurous protagonist and an emotionally believable friend, and the performance supports both sides.

Jo’s journey is ultimately about learning that friendship is not defined only by physical proximity. The character’s experiences in Nakali force her to confront the possibility of change while reminding her why her relationship with Raissa matters so much.

Liza Soberano as Raissa

Liza Soberano voices Raissa, Jo’s closest friend and the other emotional center of the story.

Raissa is preparing for a significant change in her life, creating the initial tension between the two friends. Her character represents the difficult reality of growing up and moving forward even when doing so means leaving familiar people and places behind.

Soberano brings warmth and emotional sincerity to the role. Her voice performance helps make Raissa more than simply one half of a friendship duo; she becomes an important character with her own fears and aspirations.

The chemistry between Jo and Raissa is essential to the movie. Without a convincing friendship at the center, the memory-based fantasy premise would not have the same emotional impact.

Dave Franco as Raww

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

Raww is one of the movie’s major sources of comedy. His unusual nature immediately makes him memorable, while his personality creates a contrast with the more emotionally serious journey of the two friends.

Franco’s comedic timing works particularly well for an animated character because Raww can move between physical humor, awkwardness, enthusiasm, and genuine emotional support.

Despite his clumsy nature, Raww becomes an important member of the group. His character demonstrates that bravery does not necessarily require being fearless or perfectly capable.

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate contributes another distinctive voice performance to the ensemble. Known for bringing unusual characters to life through expressive vocal work, Slate fits naturally into the film’s eccentric fantasy environment.

Her performance adds personality and comic energy to Nakali, helping populate the magical world with characters who feel different from conventional animated supporting figures.

Manny Jacinto

Manny Jacinto is another prominent member of the voice cast. His performance contributes to the colorful collection of characters that Jo and Raissa encounter during their journey.

Jacinto’s voice work helps expand the world beyond the two protagonists and gives the film additional comedic and dramatic variety.

Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng

The supporting voice cast includes Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng, each bringing a recognizable comedic and dramatic personality to the film.

Their combined performances make Nakali feel populated and unpredictable. Instead of functioning merely as a backdrop for the main story, the island becomes a living fantasy environment filled with personalities, traditions, humor, and danger.

Lea Salonga as the Dreaded Manananggal

Lea Salonga provides one of the most memorable performances as the Dreaded Manananggal, a terrifying legendary creature who represents one of the greatest threats facing the protagonists.

Her casting is particularly significant because the character draws from Filipino mythology. Salonga’s commanding voice gives the creature an appropriately imposing presence while adding cultural authenticity to the fantasy setting.

Direction, Screenplay & Technical Aspects

Directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado build Forgotten Island around a combination of large-scale fantasy adventure and intimate emotional storytelling.

The film’s visual identity is one of its greatest attractions. Nakali provides the artists with enormous creative freedom, allowing the movie to introduce unusual creatures, magical landscapes, colorful environments, and mythology-inspired designs.

The animation balances exaggerated comedy with emotional character acting. Facial expressions, body language, and movement are particularly important because the film frequently shifts between fast-paced adventure and quieter conversations about friendship.

The screenplay also deserves attention for making the concept of memory central to the adventure. Instead of giving the characters a simple physical obstacle to overcome, the story creates an emotional threat: returning home could mean losing the memories that make their friendship meaningful.

The musical and sound elements complement the fantasy setting, while the film’s comedic timing keeps the story accessible to younger viewers. At the same time, the cultural references give the movie a distinct identity rather than making it feel like a generic fantasy adventure.

The filmmakers draw extensively from Filipino folklore and culture, making the setting an important part of the film’s identity. The result is a fantasy world that feels visually distinctive while remaining accessible to international audiences.

Strengths & Weaknesses / Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong emotional foundation: The friendship between Jo and Raissa gives the fantasy adventure genuine emotional stakes.
Filipino cultural representation: The use of Filipino mythology and folklore gives the film a distinctive identity.
Memorable animation: Nakali provides opportunities for colorful environments and imaginative creature designs.
Excellent voice cast: H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga create an energetic ensemble.
Dave Franco’s Raww: Raww adds plenty of humor without becoming disconnected from the emotional story.
Meaningful central theme: The movie explores friendship, growing up, separation, memories, and change in an accessible way.
Family-friendly entertainment: The combination of adventure, comedy, fantasy, and emotion gives the film broad appeal.

Weaknesses

Familiar adventure structure: Some elements of the quest narrative may feel recognizable to audiences familiar with animated fantasy films.
Large ensemble: The number of supporting characters means some personalities receive less development than others.
Emotional themes may feel familiar: The fear of separation and losing memories is powerful but follows a theme often explored in family animation.
Fast-paced storytelling: Younger audiences may enjoy the energy, while viewers looking for slower character development may find certain emotional moments brief.

Final Verdict & Target Audience

Forgotten Island (2026) is a colorful, emotionally driven animated adventure that combines Filipino folklore with a universal story about friendship.

The performances from H.E.R. and Liza Soberano provide the emotional heart, while Dave Franco’s Raww supplies much of the comic energy. Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga strengthen an already impressive ensemble.

The film should appeal to families, animation fans, fantasy audiences, children, and viewers interested in Filipino mythology and culture. Its colorful world and theatrical presentation make it particularly suited to a big-screen experience, while its emotional themes give adults plenty to appreciate alongside younger viewers.