DreamWorks Animation is set to bring Philippine mythology to the global stage with Forgotten Island, an upcoming animated film slated for release on September 25, 2026. The movie will be co-directed by Filipino-American Januel Mercado, in his first full directorial credit, alongside DreamWorks veteran Joel Crawford.
According to a report by Variety, Forgotten Island will be a “broad party comedy adventure” that follows its protagonists as they are swept into a long-lost magical island steeped in Philippine mythology. With DreamWorks’ signature humor and heart, the film promises a colorful journey into folklore rarely explored in mainstream animation.
Mercado previously co-directed the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, also under DreamWorks, and has worked on notable projects such as Kung Fu Panda 2 and Penguins of Madagascar. A proud son of Filipino immigrants, Mercado grew up in Stockton, California, and studied animation and illustration at San Jose State University.
In an earlier interview with GMA News, he shared how his Filipino roots strongly influence his storytelling style.
“My love and care and my Filipino culture is very universal as well… The way I live is tied to the emotion of the film and the character dynamics,” he said.
He also credited his parents for nurturing his creative talent early on. “They saw early on when I was a kid that I just loved to draw, and they recognized that talent right away. And they nurtured it.”
Forgotten Island is not only a celebration of Filipino mythology—it’s also a proud milestone for Filipino representation in global cinema. With Mercado at the helm, fans can expect an adventure that’s both deeply personal and culturally resonant.
The film adds to a growing wave of Filipino and Southeast Asian stories making their mark in global media, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be a groundbreaking animated experience.
