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Forgotten Island Sets September 2026 Release With New Animated Vision
Forgotten Island is a new animated movie about two best friends named Jo and Raissa.
They are finishing high school and preparing to follow different paths.
During their last night together, they find a mysterious portal.
The portal takes them to a magical place called Nakali.
The island is filled with creatures from stories their Filipino families told them.
Jo and Raissa must explore this strange world together.
Their friendship is the most important part of the adventure.
The filmmakers want the movie to show that animation can tell many different kinds of stories.
Universal Pictures India will release Forgotten Island in Indian cinemas on 25 September 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery.
The animated film follows high school graduates and longtime friends Jo and Raissa.
A mysterious portal transports Jo and Raissa to the fantastical island of Nakali.
The island features magical and mythological creatures inspired by stories from their Filipino families.
Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado wrote and directed the film, with Mark Swift producing.
- Who
- High school graduates Jo and Raissa are the central characters; the film is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado and produced by Mark Swift.
- What
- Forgotten Island is an original animated adventure about friendship, magical creatures and a fantastical island.
- Where
- It will be released in cinemas across India and is set partly on the fantastical island of Nakali.
- When
- The film is scheduled to release on 25 September 2026.
- Why
- Jo and Raissa enter Nakali after discovering a mysterious portal while celebrating their last night together.
Key facts
- Film
- Forgotten Island
- India release date
- 25 September 2026
- Distributor
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Indian distributor
- Universal Pictures India
- Writers and directors
- Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado
- Producer
- Mark Swift
- Central theme
- Friendship during a major life transition
Quotes
Joel Crawford
Writer and director of Forgotten Island, and Academy Award and BAFTA nominee
“For so long, animation has been put in this box, especially Western animation, where it is expected to be one thing. We really wanted to break out of that. Animation can tell any kind of story, and Januel and I set out to make an original film that felt truly original in every sense. There is broad comedy inspired by anime, but there are also cinematic, subtle, emotionally grounded moments. All of that can coexist in one movie. For Januel and me, it all feels authentic.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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