Forgotten Island is a 2026 American animated fantasy adventure comedy from DreamWorks Animation. The film is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.
The voice cast includes H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, and Lea Salonga. The story follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, whose final night together before a life-changing move leads them through a magical portal to Nakali, an enchanted island inspired by Filipino folklore.
As they search for a way home, they discover that staying too long slowly erases their memories of each other. The film will be released in U.S. theaters on September 25, 2026, by Universal Pictures.
Forgotten Island Age Rating
Forgotten Island is officially rated PG by the MPAA for animated sequences of scary action, language, rude humor, thematic elements, some violence, and brief tobacco imagery.
The film is designed for family audiences but contains several fantasy action scenes and emotional moments that may be intense for younger children.
While there is no graphic violence or mature content, parents should expect suspense involving mythical creatures, occasional mild language, light rude humor, and themes centered on friendship, separation, and memory loss. The brief tobacco imagery is limited and appears as part of the movie’s 1990s setting rather than being promoted.
Scary Scenes and Peril
Scary content is the biggest concern for young children. The main villain, Manang, is a manananggal, a creature from Filipino legend that splits its body at the waist and flies with bat-like wings, leaving its legs behind. The film shows this transformation on screen, and Lea Salonga’s performance makes the character truly menacing. Her appearances come with chases, sudden jump moments and a dark, eerie atmosphere. Other folklore creatures, like the tiyanak, can look creepy at first even though some turn out to be friendly. Kids who scare easily, especially those under 7, may find several scenes too intense.
Violence
The action is cartoonish but frequent. Characters are chased, knocked down, kicked and knocked unconscious during fantasy fights. One character often handles a butterfly knife, flipping it as a habit, though it isn’t used to seriously hurt anyone. There is no blood or gore. The violence is in line with recent DreamWorks adventures, maybe a little more intense than average.
Language
The language is a bit stronger than in most PG animated films. There are a few mild swear words, one use of God’s name as an exclamation, and some name-calling and insults between characters. Nothing goes beyond what a PG rating allows.
Crude Humor and Nudity
There is some potty humor, and a few non-human creatures show their bare bottoms in comic moments. In one gag, a character is hit in the groin, followed by a joking anatomical reference. There is no sexual content, apart from the warm friendship at the center of the story.
Tobacco and Substance Use
The PG rating mentions brief tobacco imagery, which appears in passing and isn’t shown in a positive light. There is no drinking or drug use.
Emotional Themes
At heart, Forgotten Island is a story about friendship, growing up and the fear of being forgotten by someone you love. Memory loss is a central part of the plot, and some scenes where characters start to lose their memories of each other are quite emotional. Kids who are going through a move, a friend leaving or a family member with memory problems may find these scenes especially moving. The film also touches on homesickness and the bittersweet feeling of growing apart.
Is Forgotten Island Suitable for Kids?
Ages 5–7: With Guidance. Children in this age group may enjoy the colorful animation and funny characters, but some fantasy creatures and suspenseful scenes could be frightening. The emotional storyline about losing memories may also be difficult for younger viewers to understand.
Ages 8–12: Yes. Most children in this age range should enjoy the film. The fantasy adventure, comedy, and heartfelt friendship themes are appropriate, while the scary moments remain mild compared to many animated adventure films.
Ages 13+. Teens are likely to appreciate both the emotional story and the Filipino folklore that inspires the island’s magical world. The content is very mild for this age group.
Overall recommendation: Forgotten Island is best suited for children ages 8 and older, while children aged 5–7 may enjoy it with parental guidance due to fantasy peril and emotional themes.
What Parents Can Do
Before the movie, tell younger kids that the film includes monsters from Filipino folktales and that some are scary while others are friendly. That simple heads-up makes the villain less frightening.
Afterward, ask your kids how they would keep a friendship strong when someone moves away. The film is also a great way to explore Filipino culture together.
You can look up the folklore creatures the characters are based on, like the kapre, the duwende and the manananggal. Filipino families may enjoy pointing out the cultural details and Tagalog phrases.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Forgotten Island?
A: Forgotten Island is officially rated PG by the MPAA for animated sequences of scary action, language, rude humor, thematic elements, some violence, and brief tobacco imagery.
Q: Is Forgotten Island appropriate for kids?
A: Yes. It is a family-friendly animated adventure, although younger children may need parental guidance because of fantasy scares and emotional moments.
Q: Does Forgotten Island have scary scenes or violence?
A: Yes. The film includes magical creatures, suspenseful chases, fantasy battles, and moments of peril, but the violence is non-graphic and suitable for a PG audience.
Q: Does Forgotten Island contain bad language?
A: The movie contains occasional mild language and insults, but no strong profanity or explicit dialogue.
Q: Is there any sexual content or nudity?
A: No. There is no sexual content or nudity. The film focuses on friendship, adventure, and fantasy.
Q: Where can I watch Forgotten Island?
A: Forgotten Island is scheduled to be released exclusively in U.S. theaters on September 25, 2026.