Forgotten Island Movie Review Charming and Stylish

Forgotten Island (2026): An Animated Adventure Rooted in Philippine Mythology

Forgotten Island is a 2026 animated fantasy film directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, produced by DreamWorks Animation, and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film follows best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) after they discover a portal in the ocean and wake up in the mythical world of Nakali with no memory of how they arrived. The movie solves the problem of a compelling family adventure by combining Philippine folklore with vibrant, stylized animation aimed at a teen audience.

According to the review from TL;DR Movie Reviews, the film earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with the reviewer noting that while the ending is messy, the film is full of charm and style.

Key Facts

What Is the Plot of Forgotten Island?

Forgotten Island centers on the friendship between Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who share a love for mythology. Their bond is tested when Raissa is accepted into CalTech in America, but on their last day together, they find a star in the ocean that creates a portal. They wake up 12 hours later with amnesia and realize they have lost their way home and angered Manang (Lea Salonga), the Dreaded Manananggal.

The narrative is anchored on the threshold of high school graduation, which the reviewer notes is a relatable point for audiences who have experienced the coming dread of change. The film explores the girls' deep friendship as they navigate the new world of Nakali to find their way back.

**"The film commits to it fully, with the animation having a frantic energy that works because you feel it in the character design."**

How Does the Animation and Style Contribute to the Film?

The animation style in Forgotten Island is described as "consistently inconsistent," featuring a frantic energy reflected in the character design. The reviewer specifically highlights that the Manananggal moves with a stilted, halting gait that perfectly sums up the character, and that every person's flashback is rendered in a different animation style to reflect how individuals view their past differently.

This visual approach extends to the world-building of Nakali, which is rendered in gorgeous detail. The reviewer notes that each new reveal was fun to discover, from the character Mermahn (Kevin McCann) who has starfishes covering his nipples to the tree people who host karaoke nights. The distinct styles create a world that audiences will want to visit.

**"Forgotten Island is a visual treat, with the world of Nakali rendered in such gorgeous detail that you absolutely want to visit it."**

What Are the Criticisms of the Film?

While the film is recommended, the review identifies several flaws that stick out as the movie progresses. The reviewer states that not all emotional moments landed, possibly due to the reviewer's age, though they worked for a friend who attended the screening. The review also notes that the narrative becomes messy towards the end as it speeds through a conclusion.

The most significant criticism is directed at Dave Franco's accent, which the reviewer says "ripped me out of the film every time he spoke." The reviewer also acknowledges that the film is pitched at a very specific target audience and may not be everyone's cup of tea, even though it was surprisingly enjoyable to the reviewer who is far from that demographic.

**"The narrative does get a bit messy towards the end as they speed run a conclusion, and Dave Franco's accent ripped me out of the film every time he spoke."**

Who Is the Film For?

Forgotten Island is specifically designed for a teenage audience, particularly those at the threshold of major life changes like graduating high school. The reviewer, who admits being far from the target audience, still enjoyed the film due to the filmmakers' complete commitment to the concept. The film is ideal for viewers interested in mythology, specifically Philippine mythology, and those who appreciate vibrant, stylized animation.

The film is also suitable for families, given its PG ratings across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, and the German rating of 12. The reviewer suggests that viewers who enjoyed Coco would likely appreciate this film for its similar approach to introducing audiences to a new world of mythology in a delightful way.

**"I was charmed by how completely the filmmakers committed to the concept and by the rich new world they created for audiences to explore."**

Common Questions

Is there a post-credit scene in Forgotten Island?

No, there is no end-credit scene in Forgotten Island. The review explicitly states "There is no end-credit scene," so audiences do not need to stay after the film's conclusion for any additional content.

What is the rating of Forgotten Island in different countries?

Forgotten Island holds a PG rating in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, and a rating of 12 in Germany. The review lists these official ratings from the film's release.

Who are the main voice actors in Forgotten Island?

The main cast includes H.E.R. as Jo, Liza Soberano as Raissa, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Lea Salonga (as Manang, the Dreaded Manananggal), Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Kevin McCann.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the review titled "Forgotten Island Movie Review Charming and Stylish" written by Brian MacNamara, published on TL;DR Movie Reviews on September 14, 2026. The primary source URL is https://tldrmoviereviews.com/2026/09/14/forgotten-island-movie-review/. All direct quotes, ratings, credits, and factual claims are derived verbatim from this source material. This article was last updated on May 24, 2025.