There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing Filipino culture not just represented, but proudly celebrated on a global animated screen. Taking a break from my Film Festival marathon because there is a global film being shown worldwide that I have been very eager to watch! Im talking about Forgotten Island!
DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island follows lifelong best friends Jo, voiced by Grammy and Oscar-winning artist H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Liza Soberano, who find themselves transported to the mysterious island of Nakali. There, they encounter magical and mythological creatures inspired by Filipino folklore, including Raww, a well-meaning weredog voiced by Dave Franco, and the terrifying Dreaded Manananggal, voiced by the legendary Lea Salonga. With an ensemble that also includes Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng, the adventure eventually becomes something much deeper: a story about friendship, memories, and what we’re willing to sacrifice to hold on to the people we love.
Lets watch the trailer:
At its core, this is a story about friendship and memories, and I loved how unabashedly Filipino the film is. It wears its culture on its sleeve, and honestly, I wish more international productions would do exactly that.
The Filipino references are all on point. From the mythology and visual details to the little cultural touches sprinkled throughout the film, there is a genuine familiarity that made me smile more than once. This isn’t Filipino culture being added as decoration. It feels like the filmmakers genuinely understood the details and allowed them to become part of the world. Yes, I immediately got the “How to Train Your Dragon” vibes. The sense of adventure, the gorgeous landscapes, the creatures, and that big-hearted DreamWorks energy are definitely there. But Forgotten Island eventually becomes something distinctly its own—and, more importantly, very Pinoy.
And the animation? Gorgeous. The island is beautifully rendered, the characters are expressive, and the action sequences have that polished DreamWorks quality. But what surprised me most was how the film eventually finds its emotional center. Just when the adventure could have simply remained a fun animated ride, Forgotten Island finds its heart. Hiding my tears to my date but it really moved me LOL.
And then there’s the music. The variety of songs played throughout the movie is soooo us. There were so many moments when I thought, Of course they picked THAT song! The soundtrack choices add another layer of PInoy persona to the movie and make the experience feel even more familiar. Happy that the film features BINI’s “A Parallel World,” adding another distinctly Filipino musical touch to the experience.
Watching Forgotten Island also made me think about how far Filipino animation has come. I remember admiring films like RPG Metanoia, Saving Sally, and Day. These movies that made me proud to see PInoy animation telling our own stories in its own way. Now, seeing DreamWorks bring Filipino culture to a global audience feels like another exciting chapter in that journey.
My one big wish?
I really hope Forgotten Island gets a Tagalog dub re-release. Because as much as I enjoyed the original version, I would absolutely love to hear these characters speak in Tagalog and experience the story with that extra layer of Filipino familiarity. I can already imagine how much fun—and how emotional—it could be.
Forgotten Island may have the scale, polish, and spectacle of a major international animated production, but what stayed with me was something much closer to home. It felt Filipino. And for someone who has always had a soft spot for Filipino animation, folklore, music, and stories, that’s what made Forgotten Island special for me. DreamWorks may have brought us to the island, but the island feels like home
This is a Pinoy pride moment we should support! Forgotten Island brings Filipino culture, folklore, music, and familiar references to a global DreamWorks audience—and it’s something worth celebrating. From the Filipino-inspired world and mythology to the music and the little details that feel unmistakably Pinoy, this film shows how our stories and culture can shine on an international stage.
So if you’re looking for a movie to watch this weekend, support Filipino representation and watch Forgotten Island in cinemas!
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