DreamWorks has released the first trailer for “Forgotten Island,” the latest original animated film from the studio behind “Shrek” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Set in the Philippines during the ’90s, “Forgotten Island” stars H.E.R and Liza Soberano as Jo and Raissa, two polar opposites who become best friends in early childhood. Tight-knit for their entire lives, the two come to a crossroads upon graduating high school: while the gregarious and artistic Jo plans to stay in the Philippines, the responsible and neurotic Raissa is going to move to the United States to attend college.
On their last night together before Raissa leaves, the two stumble upon a strange portal that transports them to the island of Nakali, which is filled with mythological creatures pulled from Filipino folklore and mythology. There, they also discover that being on the island causes them to slowly lose their memories of their outside lives, including their memories of their friendship together. With a trusty sidekick weredog named Raww (Dave Franco), the two must confront the fearsome Dreaded Manananggal (“Mulan” voice actor Lea Salonga) to escape the island before they forget everything.
“Forgotten Island” is directed and written by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, longtime animators at DreamWorks who got their start with “Kung Fu Panda 2.” The two previously worked together on 2022’s acclaimed “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” — Crawford as a director, Mercado as co-director —which received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Along with H.E.R, Soberano, Franco, and Salonga, the “Forgotten Island” voice cast also includes Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. The film is produced by Mark Swift, who also produced “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Universal Pictures distributes the film.
Currently, “Forgotten Island” is the only original DreamWorks animated film officially announced. In 2027, the studio will release “Cocomelon: The Movie,” a film based on the preschool entertainment channel, as well as the sequel to the live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Shrek 5,” the long-awaited sequel to the studio’s most popular franchise.
“Forgotten Island” hits theaters on Friday, September 25. Watch the full trailer below.