Forgotten Island (2026): Out in Theaters, Cast & Plot Guide
By Sam Carter · · Updated
Forgotten Island hit theaters on September 25, 2026. Find out who stars in the cast, how the plot unfolds, and which question about the island the story answers.

Forgotten Island Is Out Now: What You Need to Know
Forgotten Island came out in theaters on September 25, 2026, after premiering on September 10. It's a 109-minute animated adventure, and its hook is brutal in the best way: to go home, two best friends have to give up the memories of their friendship.
That's a heavy premise for a family film. So is it any good? Ratings are still coming in, so I'm not going to throw a score at you. Let me break down what the movie actually is instead.
Here are the key points at a glance:
- Forgotten Island hit theaters on September 25, 2026, after a September 10 premiere.
- It's a 109-minute animated adventure with fantasy, comedy and family elements.
- The voice cast is led by H.E.R. as Jo and Liza Soberano as Raissa.
- It's directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford.
- No subscription streaming service is confirmed yet, so check JustWatch for updates.
What Is the Plot of Forgotten Island?
Forgotten Island follows high school graduates Jo and Raissa, best friends celebrating their last night together before life pulls them apart. They stumble onto a mysterious portal and land on the fantastical island of Nakali (see its Wikipedia page).
Then comes the catch. Getting back home costs them the memories of their entire friendship. Every minute they stay, they lose a little more of each other. The tagline says it all: "No memory left behind."

Here's what I like about this setup. Most kids' adventures treat the magical world as a playground. This one treats it as a ticking clock, and the clock is emotional, not physical. Nobody's chasing the heroes with a sword. They're racing against forgetting.
Sound familiar? If you liked the bittersweet streak in Inside Out, you'll probably recognize the territory. Genre-wise, it's animation, adventure, fantasy, comedy and family, so expect jokes alongside the heartache.
Honestly, I'm cautiously optimistic. A graduation-night friendship story is relatable for teens and the parents dragging them along. And the forgetting mechanic gives the second half a built-in sense of urgency that plenty of animated films never manage.
Who Is in the Forgotten Island Cast?
The Forgotten Island voice cast is led by H.E.R. as Jo and Liza Soberano as Raissa, with Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon and Jo Koy filling out the island. It's directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford (see the IMDb page).
Here's the full lineup in one place:
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Jo | H.E.R. |
| Raissa | Liza Soberano |
| Raww | Dave Franco |
| Batiba | Jenny Slate |
| Bungi | Manny Jacinto |
| Manang | Lea Salonga |
| Lola Fatima | Dolly de Leon |
| Datu | Jo Koy |
What stands out to me is the Filipino talent. Soberano, Salonga, de Leon and Koy are all names that carry real weight, and the names Nakali, Manang, Lola and Datu point to a Filipino-flavored fantasy world. That's a fresh flavor for a major animated release.
Joel Crawford directed The Croods: A New Age and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, so the visual ambition makes sense. Anyone who's seen the vivid look of that last film knows he can make an animated frame feel alive.
Where Can You Watch Forgotten Island?
Forgotten Island is in theaters now, and no subscription streaming service is confirmed to carry it. If you want to see it on the big screen, check your local listings or the official site for showtimes.
Planning a home viewing instead? Here's the deal: titles in this window usually move to digital rental or purchase before landing on a subscription service. But I can't confirm any of that for this movie, and I won't guess a platform for you.

So how do you check? Search the title on JustWatch, which tracks streaming, rental and purchase options in real time. Your digital store of choice will also list it the moment it's available. For ticket or rental pricing, always look at the live listing, since prices change.
Picking something for family movie night? A theater trip works well here. At 109 minutes it's tight enough for younger kids, and the emotional beats are strong enough that older siblings and parents won't be checking their phones.
One practical tip: if your kids are sensitive to sad-ish themes, preview the premise first. Losing memories of a best friend can hit harder than a talking-animal gag, even in a comedy.

Related: Heart of the Beast
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forgotten Island an LGBTQ movie?
The official synopsis doesn't label Forgotten Island as an LGBTQ movie. It centers on the deep friendship between best friends Jo and Raissa, and the fear of forgetting each other. Nothing in the plot description frames it as a romance, so treat it as a friendship story.
Is Forgotten Island a Disney movie?
No studio has been confirmed for Forgotten Island, so I won't call it a Disney movie. What's confirmed is the team: it's directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, and it's an animated family adventure with a voice cast led by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
Where can I watch the movie "Forgotten Island"?
Forgotten Island has been in theaters since September 25, 2026. No subscription streaming platform is confirmed yet. To track when it reaches digital rental, purchase or streaming, search the title on JustWatch or check your preferred digital store for the current listing.
The Verdict
Forgotten Island pairs a genuinely affecting premise with a strong voice cast, and I'd bet it becomes the animated film families keep talking about long after the theater run ends. Catch it on the big screen if you can, and bookmark JustWatch for the digital release.