DreamWorks Animation officially announced the fantasy adventure animated film Forgotten Island, set to hit North American theaters on September 25, 2026. Co-directed by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with Mark Swift serving as producer, this marks DreamWorks’ first original animated feature drawing deeply from Philippine folk legends.

Promotional materials unfold the core backdrop of the story in a whimsical, fairy-tale art style: best friends Jo and Risa, on the verge of parting ways, accidentally step foot on the mysterious island of Nacali, a fantastical realm built from Philippine folklore. The island harbors a cruel rule — to return to the real world, they must erase every memory they share with each other. As their memories steadily fade, the two must race against time to find a way out. Along their journey, they will encounter peculiar magical creatures and come face-to-face with the legendary monster Manananggal.

Breaking new ground by drawing on indigenous Philippine folk tales, Forgotten Island steps outside the established framework of Western fantasy storytelling. Centered on friendship, separation and memory, it delivers nuanced emotional exploration and promises a unique fantasy experience on the animated screen. More trailers, character featurettes and other materials will be released in the coming months. The film’s release is highly anticipated by animation fans worldwide.