DreamWorks Animation is venturing deep into uncharted waters with its latest original project, Forgotten Island, a feature-length adventure inspired by the rich and often underexplored world of Philippine mythology. The announcement marks another bold move for the Universal-owned studio, which has been steadily expanding its creative horizons with each new release.
While specific plot details are still being kept under wraps, DreamWorks has described Forgotten Island as a “broad party comedy adventure” that whisks its characters away to a long-lost island steeped in magical elements pulled from Philippine lore.
Directing duties will be handled by Joel Crawford, best known for his work on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Croods: A New Age, with Januel Mercado, who co-directed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, stepping into his first solo directing role. Mercado, a Filipino-American filmmaker and former head of story on The Croods: A New Age, brings a personal connection to the cultural source material. Their frequent producing partner Mark Swift is on board to produce.
Forgotten Island arrives at a time when DreamWorks is enjoying a wave of renewed momentum. Under the leadership of Margie Cohn, the studio has delivered hits like The Bad Guys and The Wild Robot, which not only resonated with audiences but earned strong awards-season recognition. With upcoming projects such as The Bad Guys 2, Shrek 5, and a live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, DreamWorks is actively diversifying its slate with both original ideas and proven franchises.
Currently, Forgotten Island holds the final weekend of September 2026 to itself, offering a clean runway for box office success. It follows releases such as Warner Bros.’ untitled project and Sony’s Resident Evil reboot from Zach Cregger, both scheduled to open the week prior.
By turning to the mythological roots of the Philippines, Forgotten Island not only adds cultural dimension to DreamWorks’ portfolio but also introduces global audiences to a world of aswangs, diwatas, and enchanted islands. As studios increasingly seek out authentic and untold stories, this film stands as an early signal that Southeast Asian folklore might just be animation’s next frontier.
Forgotten Island opens in cinemas on 25 September 2026.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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