DreamWorks’ New Movie Gets Studio’s Best Reviews Ever, Beating Shrek & HTTYD

DreamWorks Animation’s latest film has scored a major critical milestone. The animated adventure has received widespread praise ahead of its theatrical release. Critics are highlighting its visuals, emotional story, and Filipino mythology. It also puts Filipino culture at the center of a major animated adventure.

Forgotten Island currently has a 100% Tomatometer score from 22 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The score surpasses How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek, making it DreamWorks’ highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, the film follows best friends Jo and Raissa after they enter the mythical island of Nakali. They soon discover that the memories of their friendship could be the price of returning home.

What critics are praising most about Forgotten Island

Critics have particularly praised the film for combining its fantasy adventure with an emotional friendship story.

The Hollywood Reporter has praised Forgotten Island for its imaginative use of Filipino folklore. Its review describes the animation as “dazzling” and “tremendously fast-paced,” while noting influences from anime, Studio Ghibli, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

The Sydney Morning Herald gave the film 4 out of 5, calling its visuals dazzling while praising the thoughtfulness of the story, its heart, and its passion for Filipino culture. Critic Karl Quinn said the film mixes “3D computer animation, 2D animation, and manga-style hyper-expressive moments.”

DiscussingFilm gave the film 4.5 out of 5, praising Crawford and Mercado for creating an emotionally complex story about friendship. The review highlights the film’s painterly animation and 2D anime influences, while noting how its Filipino setting adds cultural specificity to the story.

Other reviews have focused on the film’s emotional themes. IGN praised its exploration of friendship and the importance of shared memories, while Refinery29 described it as joyful and hilarious, noting its emotional impact.

The film also draws heavily from Filipino mythology. The story takes place in the Philippines during the 1990s. It sends Jo and Raissa into a world filled with creatures based on stories they heard from their Filipino families. Lea Salonga voices Manang, while Dave Franco voices the chaotic were-aspin, Raww.

Forgotten Island arrives in theaters on September 25, 2026.

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