Forgotten Island metacritic: 2026 Score & Reviews Guide

Forgotten Island is a 2026 animated action film from DreamWorks Animation, directed and written by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. The current Metacritic listing gives the movie a 73 Metascore, based on 22 critic reviews, placing it in the Generally Favorable range.

The audience snapshot is considerably stronger. Forgotten Island has a 9.4 user score from five user ratings, labeled Universal Acclaim. That audience number is still based on a small sample, so it is best read as an early enthusiasm signal rather than a settled long-term consensus.

Video Highlights:

• Early reactions focus on the film’s colorful animation and imaginative fantasy setting.
• Review discussion repeatedly highlights Filipino folklore and female friendship.
• The reception includes both strong praise and concerns about the movie’s fast pace.

The most useful way to read the score is to separate broad approval from complete agreement. Most critics responded positively, but several reviews identified specific issues with tone, pacing, or character depth.

For the latest listing, see the Forgotten Island reviews page on Metacritic. Scores can change if additional reviews or user ratings are added.

The critic response is positive overall, but the reasons behind that response are more informative than the number alone. High-scoring reviews praise Forgotten Island as a visually inventive adventure with a sincere emotional center. Several critics also describe it as a celebration of Filipino culture, mythology, and friendship.

Variety awarded the film 90, calling it deeply felt and satisfying while emphasizing the value of experiencing the story with a friend. Polygon gave it 85, highlighting its treatment of shared memories and the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood. Next Best Picture and Screen Rant each listed 80, with Screen Rant praising the film’s energy and mythological design while acknowledging that its intensity may not work for everyone.

The reception becomes more divided at the lower end. The Travers Take gave the movie 70, recognizing its cultural celebration and examination of female friendship while finding some excesses exhausting. The Guardian gave it 40, criticizing the controlled presentation, nonstop momentum, and limited opportunities for the characters to slow down and develop.

This spread explains why the overall Metacritic result lands at 73 rather than in the high 80s or 90s. The movie’s artistic ambition is widely recognized, but its high-speed style creates a clear dividing line among reviewers.

Forgotten Island follows Jo and Raissa during their last night together. A mysterious portal transports them to Nakali, a fantastical island filled with magical and mythological creatures connected to the Filipino stories they heard from their families.

The premise combines a familiar coming-of-age structure with a setting rooted in Filipino folklore. Jo and Raissa encounter allies and enemies while moving through an unfamiliar world, and the fantasy journey becomes a way to explore memory, identity, family, and the changing shape of friendship.

The strongest thematic thread is the connection between remembering and forgetting. The movie treats memories as part of how people understand one another, especially when childhood friendships begin to change. That idea gives the title additional meaning: the island adventure is not only about discovering a strange place, but also about preserving experiences that shape the characters.

The cultural setting is another major part of the film’s identity. Critics consistently mention Filipino mythology and culture as important strengths rather than background decoration. The folklore influences the creatures, the fantasy realm, and the story’s sense of family connection.

Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado direct and write the film. DreamWorks Animation and Dentsu are listed as the production companies. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes, carries a PG rating, and is categorized as Animation and Action.

The cast includes recognizable performers in both lead and supporting roles. Liza Soberano voices Raissa, while H.E.R. voices Jo. The ensemble also includes Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Eric Bauza, Ronny Chieng, Jo Koy, Dolly De Leon, and Lea Salonga.

The creative pairing is important because the film’s appeal depends on both spectacle and emotional direction. The action and animation provide the immediate energy, while the story’s focus on friendship and family gives the journey a more personal purpose.

The cast list also supports the film’s cultural emphasis. Lea Salonga appears as the Dreaded Manananggal, while Jo Koy voices Datu and Dolly De Leon voices Lola Fatima. These roles connect the ensemble to the movie’s Filipino folklore and family-centered themes.

The available reception suggests a film with a clear creative identity rather than a generic animated adventure. Forgotten Island combines Filipino folklore, action, humor, and a story about the memories that hold friendships together. Its 73 Metascore reflects broad critical approval, while the high early user score indicates particularly enthusiastic audience response.

For readers deciding whether to watch, the main question is not whether the film has strengths. The reviews consistently identify them. The more useful question is whether the movie’s fast, visually crowded style matches your preferences.