DreamWorks’ Critically Adored ‘Forgotten Island’ Is Heading Home Fast After a Tough Box Office Run

Few animated films this year have earned reviews as glowing as DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Forgotten Island.‘ The original adventure, inspired by Philippine mythology, drew rave notices for its visuals, its heart and its representation of Filipino culture, and some critics have called it one of the studio’s best films. It arrived in theaters on September 25 with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score at one point and an A from audiences on CinemaScore.

The story follows best friends Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who find a mysterious portal on their last night before separate life paths. It takes them to Nakali, a mythical island filled with magical creatures they learned about from their Filipino families, but the only way home may cost them the memories of their friendship. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film features Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng and Lea Salonga.

Despite all of that praise, the film’s theatrical run has been difficult, and now its next chapter has been confirmed. ‘Forgotten Island’ arrives on digital platforms on October 27, just over a month after its theatrical debut, with a physical release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD to follow on December 1.

‘FORGOTTEN ISLAND’ is officially already releasing digitally on October 27. The film grossed $60M on a $80M budget so far. https://t.co/E5oT3Hn8BI

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) October 20, 2026

The numbers explain why the studio is moving quickly. The film opened to $12.8 million domestically and $20.6 million worldwide, which landed it in fifth place and ranked among the lowest openings in DreamWorks Animation history. It missed tracking that had projected a $15-17 million domestic start, and it was working against an $80 million budget.

As of this week, the film has grossed about $60 million worldwide. Reports noted that it needs at least $100 million more to break even theatrically, and Universal has already reduced its theater count from 3,548 to 2,898 in the third weekend. The film also opened against ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore,’ which reportedly earned around $86 million worldwide.

Some observers have blamed thin marketing for failing to connect with casual audiences, while the critical and audience response suggests that people who did see it loved it.

The story looks very different in the Philippines. The film opened to about ₱97.2 million, or roughly $1.5 million, which ABS-CBN reported as the biggest opening for a DreamWorks Animation film in the country and the biggest opening weekend for a non-franchise animated film there.

That reception matters beyond the numbers. Reviewers have framed the film as a chance for a culturally specific story to find an audience far beyond the communities it represents, and the response from Filipino viewers suggests the movie hit its mark.

For viewers who missed it in theaters, the digital release comes with a new commentary and 60 minutes of bonus features at participating retailers. Extras include a look at the film’s mythological creatures, ‘Creatures of Lore,’ and a making-of featurette titled ‘Tayo Na! The Making of Forgotten Island.’

The timing may also help. The digital debut arrives ahead of a weekend with no major tentpole releases, giving it a clear runway before ‘The Cat in the Hat’ reaches theaters on November 6. A Peacock premiere date has not been announced yet.

The studio has reason to be hopeful. Universal insiders have told TheWrap that DreamWorks films like ‘The Bad Guys 2’ and ‘The Wild Robot’ saw strong premium video-on-demand revenue, and the same could happen here. Word of mouth has long been a powerful engine for family animation, and a film with a 95% critics score and a 96% audience score is well positioned to benefit.

It would not be the first time a movie that stumbled in theaters found its audience at home. For ‘Forgotten Island,’ the next few weeks could determine whether it becomes one of those slept-on favorites or remains a missed opportunity. Either way, the film’s reception shows how much appetite exists for stories that draw on the folklore and culture of the Philippines.

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