Originality Is Still A Winning Formula
In a world that seems incapable of anything other than franchise IP sequels, it seems there are still some original stories to be told from major animation studios. Forgotten Island is the proof: a beautifully rendered new story that feels as fresh as it does familiar. There is still life in animation, and this new original tale shouts its uncapped potential to the rooftops. DreamWorks’ latest launches them to the top of the best animated features of the year AGAIN. Thankfully, unlike some of its good but retreading competitors, it sets itself apart and the bar high.
It’s hard to talk about Forgotten Island without this framework of originality. It hits with such a breath of fresh air, and its electric energy and frantic, vibrant creations are almost overwhelming. It’s the kind of film that embraces childlike wonder while also tapping into the woes of growing up and apart. Something animation – when done right – used to do all the time. It’s what makes animated films family-friendly; not by dumbing down its ideas but by making them shareable for all ages.
The Beautiful Story & Voices of Forgotten Island
Written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, Forgotten Island follows two Filipino girls Riassa (Liza Soberano) and Jo (H.E.R). They become best friends in the early 90s over their love of mythology – particularly the fantasy island of Nakali, the forgotten island that thrives on memories. After years of close friendship as they promise to find the island. Raissa is accepted to Caltech University in America while Jo struggles to hold a job and doesn’t really have a plan for the future. As a rift grows between them on the eve of Riassa leaving for college, a portal opens up and takes them to Nakali.
What should be a new adventure that restores and solidifies their friendship turns into an unforgettable, perilous one. Namely because they’ve forgotten their entire night spent on the island. Needing to get back home so Riassa can catch her flight. They are joined by a collection of creatures they met the night before to help guide them through the island as they try to retrace their steps to get back home. That proves difficult because there are plenty of forces working against them and unfriendly creatures pursuing them. All will have to work together to restore their memories, get home, and find true friendship again. Forgotten Island also stars Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, and Dolly de Leon.
A Blend of Humor, Heart, & Visual Vibrance
It’s a new kind of coming of age film, one that captures the excitement and inevitable drifting apart that can come with friendships. Even ones we hope would last forever. Forgotten Island is also bursting with Filipino folklore, deeply rooted in its culture and clearly coming from a very personal place. This offers a whole new world to explore. Not just on the fantastical island filled with unique creatures and colorful characters, but a personal examination of experience rarely seen on screen this freely displayed.
There’s a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor (both for kids and adults) paired with deep, emotional heart that guides us through the vast world-building. Forgotten Island does a great job of giving us a lifetime of friendship between Jo and Riassa. It captures every aspect of finding your people – the best friend that just gets you, even if they approach life differently. We grow up and grow apart, and sometimes all we have are the memories together to remind us of how important that person is to us. We can forget (pun intended) the most important parts of those moments as we start to move on to new experiences.
The Friends We Made Along the Way
Sure, it’s cliche as hell, but Forgotten Island really is the friends we make along the way. Each new addition to the found family on the island represents a new aspect of friendship and new memories. Memories that need saved, not just for yourself, but for everyone. Jo and Riassa’s journey teaches them the profound effect even one crazy night can have on others. Not to mention, the value of keeping those memories close. Every character feels wholly unique and special in their own way, and everyone is searching for someone in some way. Forgotten Island is just so beautifully crafted and performed; it feels special, a film you don’t want to overlook.
The film also pushes the boundaries of animation style, taking a big page from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, blending visuals and including a variety of renderings. It’s got the energy of K-Pop Demon Hunters, where everything just pops off the screen, and each scene offers something different visually. It never lets up, narratively operating like The Hangover meets Spirited Away with a rockin’ 90s soundtrack. If those 4 films are the inspirational recipe used to make Forgotten Island, then I think that makes for a pretty excellent animated feature.
Pacing
There’s certainly a TikTok generation element here that may be too grating for some. Forgotten Island moves at a breakneck pace, firing on all cylinders from the jump and very rarely slowing down. It never lingers, and Jo can get a little annoying in her refusal to listen to others, making it difficult to feel for them and moving so quickly it may be hard for parents and kids alike to catch their breath. I’d argue this is a feature, not a bug, as I was able to dial in pretty quickly and allow the dazzling world of creatures and characters to guide me through the visual chaos.
Final Thoughts
Forgotten Island blew me away. Bright colors and passionate energy deliver a tale about the power of friendship and the vitality of memory; making them, keeping them, cherishing them, remembering them for the people in our lives. Memory is a huge theme of 2026 films, and Forgotten Island reflects on how necessary it is to remember. How the experiences we share shape each other in ways we may sometimes take for granted, and how important it is to share those memories with everyone for as long as we can.
Forgotten Island is one of the best animated films of the year. It’s a real surprise, coming out of nowhere and moving me to tears more than once. If DreamWorks continues to push animation forward and deliver fresh original stories like this, I think they are poised to be the dominant storytellers in animated cinema. Yes, Forgotten Island is THAT good. There’s literally A Will Smith Slap joke in this. It’s perfectly executed, and I guffawed in the theater. Believe the hype. Forgotten Island is the real animated deal.
Text your friend back. It’s time. Keep those memories alive together. No more ghosting.
Rating: 8 out of 10
