Forgotten Island (2026)
Directed by: Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado
Premise: An animated film. Set in the Philippines during the 1990s, two imaginative teenage girls grow up together. As graduation approaches, the girls are transported to a magical land and must find their way back.
What Works: Forgotten Island is fundamentally a teenage friendship movie and the heart of the film is the relationship between Raissa and Jo (voices of Liza Soberano and H.E.R.). Each of them has a distinct personality; Raissa is the rational and responsible half of the duo while Jo is impulsive. They are linked by a shared enthusiasm and imagination but on the cusp of adulthood, Raissa is poised for success while Jo is stuck in menial jobs. Although they are slotted in familiar types, Raissa and Joe are distinct characters and their friendship is watchable and likable. They are the kind of characters who are fun to be around, regardless of the story. Raissa and Jo are transported to the magical world of their shared imagination. It’s visualized in a way that is vivid and creative with unusual creatures. That’s the other defining quality of this movie. Forgotten Island is made with energy and enthusiasm. It’s primarily done with familiar digital animation but the film occasionally adopts other visual styles. It’s got a lot of humor and the movie is very funny but its also affecting in the way it dramatizes a teenage friendship reaching a critical point.
What Doesn’t: Forgotten Island is a teenage friendship story and it follows the formula very closely. The plot follows a predictable trajectory. Raissa has a secret that she needs to tell Jo but the reveal is bottled up until the two of them eventually explode and break up only to reunite in the end. Most viewers can see where this is going. The reunion between the Raissa and Jo doesn’t really require either of them to make a meaningful sacrifice. Contemporary animated films have avoided villainy in their antagonists. So often now, the villains are just misunderstood. It’s become a cliché that sometimes cheapens the drama by not allowing a confrontation with evil. Forgotten Island does this as well. It undercuts the heroism of the characters and the moral integrity of the story.
Bottom Line: Forgotten Island is a lot of fun. It’s a familiar plot but the movie is made with humor and energy and features likable characters. It ought to appeal to the viewers who loved KPop Demon Hunters.
Episode: #1124 (November 1, 2026)