DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island Debuts With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score: What Critics Are Praising

Days before its worldwide release on 25 September 2026, DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island opened its review window with a 100% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes. That figure comes with an important caveat: as of mid-September it was based on just 28 reviews, and the number will almost certainly drop once general audiences and more critics weigh in. Still, early reactions single out the film’s emotional depth, its distinctive hand-drawn-influenced visual style, and its grounding in Filipino folklore, a mythology rarely seen in mainstream Western animation.

The two lead characters of the animated film

Why the early reviews matter

The 100% “fresh” rating appeared as soon as the review embargo lifted. Critics praise the film’s emotional weight, its distinctive look, and what they describe as a respectful treatment of Asian culture. The small review count means the number should be read as an early signal rather than a final verdict.

Part of the attention stems from the project’s status as an original property. Rather than extending an existing franchise or adapting a well-known book, DreamWorks is releasing a new story with new characters. The directors, Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, previously worked on the well-received Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

A still from the animated film Forgotten Island

The story: friendship, a portal, and fading memories

The film is set in the Philippines in the 1990s. Two close friends, Jo and Raissa, are bracing for a painful separation because one of them is leaving to study in the United States. In an era without smartphones or messaging apps, a move like that could feel like the end of a relationship. On their final night together, the girls discover a mysterious portal and are transported to the island of Nakali, home to creatures from local legends.

The central conflict revolves around memory loss. The longer the heroines remain in the magical world, the faster their memories disappear. To return home, they will have to sacrifice the history of their years-long friendship.

A manananggal in Forgotten Island

The filmmakers drew heavily on Filipino folklore. Unlike classical Greco-Roman mythology, these legends are largely unfamiliar to mass Western audiences. The film features demons, spirits, and even a manananggal, an eerie creature capable of detaching the upper half of its body.

Release date

The worldwide release is scheduled for 25 September 2026. Release timing may differ in some markets where the studio does not distribute directly, so viewers outside major territories should check local listings.

A frame from the film’s trailer

Who the film is for

Forgotten Island is aimed at audiences who enjoy more layered family films such as The Wild Robot or Coco. Behind the bright visuals and jokes lies a metaphor for growing up and the inevitable changes life brings. It is described as a story not only for children but also for adults dealing with separation from loved ones.

That said, it may not suit very young or easily frightened viewers. The film carries a PG rating because of scary monster scenes and some crude humor. Some critics have also faulted the fast pace of the storytelling, which they say may tire viewers unaccustomed to rapid, hyperactive editing.

A dark, moody frame from the film

A visual style between anime and Spider-Verse

The animation has become one of the main talking points. Instead of photorealistic 3D, the creators opted for deliberately sharp movement and hand-drawn textures. That approach gained popularity after Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and here it is used to convey the instability of human memory.

In memory sequences, the picture often switches to a classic 2D format. Reviewers note a strong influence from Studio Ghibli and contemporary anime. The island world looks at once fairy-tale-like and frightening, mirroring the inner state of the two heroines.

The film’s unusual art style

Behind the scenes

To make the world feel authentic, the team brought in specialists and artists closely tied to the culture of the region:

• Key 2D sequences were drawn by artists at Manila-based Snipple Animation Studios.
• The voice cast includes well-known performers, among them Oscar winner H.E.R. and actress Liza Soberano.
• The soundtrack blends 1990s hits, traditional instruments, and tracks by Filipino groups BINI and SB19.
• The central relationship is partly modeled on the real, long-standing friendship between directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.

A rare original in an era of sequels

The strong early reception suggests an appetite for bolder, non-franchise animation. Rather than delivering only a visually pleasing fairy tale, the studio is tackling a difficult question: what remains of a relationship after people part ways and move to different places.

The aggregator score will almost certainly adjust once the film reaches a wider audience. Even so, on the basis of the early reviews, Forgotten Island has already established itself as one of the more unusual animated releases of the year, thanks to its animation, fresh setting, and independence from existing franchises.