DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’: Filipino Cast, Release Date, and Why It Matters for Representation

DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film Forgotten Island is shaping up to be a landmark moment for Filipino stories in mainstream animation. Set in the Philippines and powered by a star-studded Filipino and Filipino American voice cast, it’s exactly the kind of movie Asian American and Filipino diaspora audiences have been waiting to see on the big screen.

Forgotten Island release date and setting

Forgotten Island is currently set for a theatrical release in September 2026, with DreamWorks positioning it as one of its major original animated titles of the year. The film follows two best friends in the Philippines who discover a portal to the mystical “Forgotten Island,” a place where staying too long causes your memories—including those of each other—to slowly disappear.

The world of the movie is deeply rooted in Philippine mythology, drawing on creatures, landscapes, and stories specific to the archipelago rather than using a generic fantasy setting. Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado led research trips to the Philippines so the creative team could experience local culture, history, and daily life firsthand.

Filipino and Filipino American voice cast

One of Forgotten Island’s biggest draws is its predominantly Filipino and Filipino American cast. Confirmed voice actors include:

• H.E.R. as Jo, one of the two lead best friends

• Liza Soberano as Raissa, the other lead best friend

• Lea Salonga in a key role tied to Philippine folklore (reported as a powerful mythic figure)

• Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, Dolly de Leon, Ronny Chieng, and Amielynn Abellera in supporting roles

The cast list is a rare concentration of Filipino and Filipino American talent in a major U.S. studio animated film, spanning Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe winners and nominees. H.E.R. has said it feels “amazing to share a piece of my childhood with a global audience,” while Liza Soberano has called the project a dream come true because it shows “the Philippines accurately while still being relatable to people outside our culture.”

Dreamsworks Forgotten Island Highlights Filipino Culture

Filipino culture and folklore at the center

Forgotten Island doesn’t just feature Filipino characters—it’s built around Filipino culture:

• The film’s mythical island is inspired by Philippine folklore and creatures like the manananggal, which Lea Salonga is reported to be voicing in a major role.

• Visual design, music, and world-building draw from local architecture, festivals, and natural landscapes across the Philippines.

• Co-director Januel Mercado has woven in personal elements, including memories of his father and their Tagalog conversations while the film was being developed.

For Filipino and broader Asian American audiences, this is significant because it moves beyond one-off references and puts Filipino mythology, language, and humor at the center of a four-quadrant family film. It’s not just representation on screen—it’s representation in the story’s DNA.

Why Forgotten Island matters for Asian American and Filipino diaspora audiences

Forgotten Island arrives at a moment when global audiences are increasingly embracing culturally specific animated stories, from East Asia to Southeast Asia. For Filipino Americans and the broader Asian American community, it delivers on several fronts:

• Authentic casting: Filipino and Filipino American performers voice Filipino characters, rather than being pushed to the margins or replaced by non-Filipino stars.

• Specific yet universal storytelling: The plot—two best friends facing separation, memory, and growing up—feels universal, but it’s anchored in uniquely Filipino spaces, language, and myth.

• Major-studio backing: As a DreamWorks title with a global release, the film has the marketing muscle to introduce Filipino culture to millions of families worldwide.

Filipino cast members have emphasized how rare it is to see Philippine culture showcased at this scale and how meaningful it feels to contribute to a project that future generations of Filipino kids will grow up with. For Asian American parents and fans, this is the kind of movie that can become a staple for family nights and cultural pride.

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