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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Pinoy pride: The first trailer of DreamWorks 'Forgotten Island' featuring Filipino culture

Pinoy pride: The first trailer of DreamWorks 'Forgotten Island' featuring Filipino culture

Published Mar 26, 2026 12:03 am  |  Updated Mar 26, 2026 08:15 am

DreamWorks Animation released the first trailer of "Forgotten Island" on March 25, an original film that puts the unbreakable bond between two best friends to the ultimate test.

Rooted in rich Filipino culture, the film stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as Jo and Raissa — lifelong best friends and recent high school graduates on the verge of going their separate ways. But before they can say goodbye, a fateful accident sends them hurtling to Nakali, a mysterious island teeming with Filipino mythical creatures.

A scene from 'Forgotten Island' (Images courtesy of Universal Pictures)
A scene from 'Forgotten Island' (Images courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Desperate to find their way home, they cross paths with Raww (Dave Franco), a charming weredog, and come face to face with the island’s most terrifying legend — the fearsome Manananggal (Lea Salonga).

“Forgotten Island” also stars Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. Catch the captivating tale as “Forgotten Island” arrives in Philippine cinemas on Sept. 23. Check out Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest news and updates.

About 'Forgotten Island'

Your best friendship is worth fighting for.

DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you unforgettable bonds between a boy and a dragon in How to Train Your Dragon, an ogre and a donkey in Shrek, and a robot and a gosling in The Wild Robot, now welcomes a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart in Forgotten Island. 

The official film poster of 'Forgotten Island'
The official film poster of 'Forgotten Island'

The new original film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and is produced by Academy Award® nominee Mark Swift, the filmmaking team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. 

Grammy and Academy Award® winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths. 

While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.

Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.

The film’s all-star voice cast also includes Emmy nominee Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Dying for Sex), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick), BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Ghostlight), global comedy superstar Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn) and Emmy winner Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show, M3GAN).  

DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island" is distributed by Universal Pictures.

Related Tags

Forgotten Island DreamWorks Animation H.E.R. Lea Salonga Universal Pictures Philippines Filipino Liza Soberano Dolly De Leon Manny Jacinto
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