Forgotten Island (2026) – To Be Released September 25, 2026

[Mango Sorbet]

Canonical URL

https://popgeeks.com/forgotten-island-2026-to-be-released-september-25-2026/

“Forgotten Island” (2026) is a DreamWorks fantasy adventure rooted in Filipino folklore, myth, memory, and friendship. This culturally rich animated film, with its proudly Pinoy spirit and heartfelt storytelling, resonates
Read original article here:

Forgotten Island (2026) – To Be Released September 25, 2026

"Forgotten Island" (2026) is a DreamWorks fantasy adventure rooted in Filipino folklore, myth, memory, and friendship. This culturally rich animated film,

popgeeks.com

 

[Rox]

saw the trailer three times already and I still get chills. Growing up my lola used to tell me about batibat sitting on people while they sleep and I never thought I would see that on a big animation screen made by DreamWorks. The way they mixed Manananggal into a real plot instead of just a scary cameo is smart. Jo and Raissa's friendship feels like something I lived through myself, moving away from my best friend for college and slowly losing touch even when we promise we never will. I hope the studio treats our myths with respect and not just as background decoration. September cannot come fast enough for me, I already told my whole family group chat about this one.

 

[Leech Woman]

Okay I need to be honest, I am cautiously hopeful but also nervous. Big studios love taking our culture and turning it into something shiny without the real weight behind it. The concept sounds beautiful on paper though. A world that literally feeds on your memories while you are trying to hold on to a childhood friendship is such a strong metaphor for growing up and moving abroad. Filipino kids overseas will feel this one in their chest. I just hope the humor does not overshadow the heart of the story.

 

[Destiny]

Not gonna lie, I clicked on this because of H.E.R, did not even know she did voice acting now. Her music always has that emotional pull so I am curious how that carries into an animated character. The story premise sounds solid too, friendship and growing apart is something anyone can relate to no matter where they grew up.

 

[Awakens]

Reading about Nakali feeding on memories gave me a small existential moment, that is such a heavy concept for what looks like a family friendly animated film. I like when kids movies do not shy away from deeper emotional themes like this. Growing up and slowly forgetting people who used to be your whole world is something adults deal with quietly all the time, and putting that idea into a colorful fantasy adventure feels like a clever way to make both kids and their parents feel something at the same time without making it too heavy or depressing for the younger audience watching along with them.
I am not familiar with Filipino culture at all but this write up already taught me two new mythical creatures, that is a win in my book before I even watch the trailer.

 

[Yellow Garter]

Animated movies exploring specific cultures always end up being my favorite type of film honestly, I learn something new every single time without it feeling forced or like a boring history lesson shoved into a cartoon just for educational points. The description mentions myth, music and heritage all blending together which sounds ambitious for one movie to pull off well, but if done right this could turn into something really memorable for a lot of people who grew up without ever seeing their own background represented on a big budget animated screen like this one seems to be aiming for.

 

[Tomoki]

Never really thought about aswang type creatures before this, always assumed most Southeast Asian folklore stayed under the radar in mainstream media. Glad to see that changing a little with films like this one coming out.
I like stories that treat friendship breakups as seriously as romantic ones. Losing a best friend to distance or growing up hurts just as much and movies rarely give that the same emotional weight, so seeing a whole film built around that idea sounds refreshing to me honestly.

 

[Gaddo]

The weredog creature immediately reminded me of stray dogs I saw when I traveled through Southeast Asia a few years back, so learning there is an actual myth connected to that felt like a nice surprise, small detail but it added a lot of charm for me personally and made the whole world feel more grounded in something real instead of just generic fantasy creature design pulled from nowhere in particular.

 

[ZAPZAP]

This feels like the kind of movie that will hit way different for people who grew up with these stories already, but even as an outsider I can appreciate the effort put into representing something authentic instead of a watered down version made only for a wider international audience.

 

[Kay]

I know nothing about Filipino folklore but this trailer made me want to learn everything. The Manananggal design alone looks terrifying in a good way, way more original than another generic dragon or witch we always get in western animation. I love when studios pull from myths I have never heard of instead of recycling the same Greek or European stories over and over.