--- title: "Forgotten Island: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/forgotten-island/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/forgotten-island" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Forgotten Island (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 15 reviews: 12 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 2026. The critic calls the film an energetic, funny and unexpectedly emotional treat. They praise its imaginative animation and Philippine folklore, along with its bittersweet take on friendship and memory. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/forgotten-island/) ## Variety — Todd Gilchrist Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2026. The critic calls the animated adventure deeply felt, satisfying and a wonderful cinematic experience. They single out its vivid Filipino mythology and visually arresting environments as what makes it stand apart. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/forgotten-island-review-1236874557/) ## Little White Lies — Kambole Campbell Rating 3/4/3. 14 October 2026. Campbell finds the film visually inventive but let down by its story, characters and restless pacing. He praises its distinctive mix of throwback styling and modern animation, while noting that the frenetic editing blunts its poignant final act. [Read the review](https://www.lwlies.com/reviews/forgotten-island) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2026. Scheck calls it an exciting original, though he notes that its crowded story can be hard to keep up with. He praises its dazzling animation, imaginative use of Filipino folklore and the genuine emotion in the girls’ friendship. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/forgotten-island-review-dreamworks-animation-1236706120/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B. 22 September 2026. Ehrlich finds the film overstuffed and frenetic, but says its central friendship holds it together. He praises the vivid Manila-set opening and the emotional bond between Jo and Raissa. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/forgotten-island-animated-movie-review-1235218021/) ## The AV Club — Matt Schimkowitz Rating B. 24 September 2026. The review finds the film funny and charming, but ultimately overstuffed and emotionally unfocused. It praises the striking animation and rapid-fire jokes while noting that the many ideas blur together. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/forgotten-island-review-dreamworks-her-filipino-animated-movie) ## Screen Daily — Nikki Baughan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2026. The review presents the film as an entertaining, vivid family adventure. It praises its celebration of Filipino folklore and friendship. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/forgotten-island-review-dreamworks-philippines-set-adventure-is-a-vivid-celebration-of-folklore-and-friendship/5221498.article) ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Rating 3/4. 24 September 2026. Clark finds the film’s frenetic visual comedy mostly successful, while praising its emotional core. He singles out the third act’s heartbreaking journey and the richly imagined Filipino-mythology setting. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/forgotten-island-review-her-dave-franco/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 14 October 2026. The headline presents the adventure as fast-paced, though perhaps excessively so. It singles out the film’s breakneck energy as its defining feature. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/forgotten-island-review-2026) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2026. Bradshaw finds the film exhausting, over-controlled and ultimately empty. He singles out the quiet scene where Raissa tells Jo she is leaving as a rare moment of real emotion. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/24/forgotten-island-review-best-friends-forever-trapped-in-soulless-animation-dreamworks) ## The Playlist — Gregory Ellwood Rating B+/B. 23 September 2026. Ellwood calls it one of the year’s best original animated films, despite a somewhat messy story and slow arrival at its fantasy elements. He praises its energetic, spellbinding animation and vivid Filipino cultural influences. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/forgotten-island-review-two-filipino-best-friends-go-on-a-stunning-manga-inspired-adventure-20260923/) ## Collider — Erielle Sudario Rating 8/10. 22 September 2026. The review finds the film a heartfelt celebration of Filipino culture, anchored by Jo and Raissa’s convincing friendship. It praises the cultural detail but criticizes the crowded cast and the underuse of Lea Salonga. [Read the review](https://collider.com/forgotten-island-dreamworks-review/) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. The critic finds the film an exhilarating, emotionally grounded adventure, despite some overstuffed comedy and music. She particularly praises the nuanced friendship at its heart and the film’s vivid, inventive animation. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/forgotten-island-review-dreamworks/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. The critic finds the film sweet, endearing, and hard to ignore, despite its occasionally overwhelming energy. They praise its kinetic animation and distinctive use of Filipino mythology. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/forgotten-island-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 21 September 2026. Hammond finds the film overstuffed and unlikely to linger in his memory, though he expects its younger audience to enjoy it. He praises its colorful, varied animation and says its themes of friendship and preserving memories come through clearly. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/09/forgotten-island-review-h-e-r-and-dave-franco-frentetic-toon-1237109630/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/forgotten-island.md