Forgotten Island has become the first movie to hold a premiere at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. DreamWorks brought the animated film to the new Los Angeles museum on September 23, one day after the museum opened to the public. The film then opened in US theaters on September 25.

The event put an original animated story inside a venue built to celebrate visual storytelling. NBCUniversal said the premiere used both of the museum’s theaters. The museum opened on September 22 in South Los Angeles, making the film screening one of its first major public-facing cinema events.

What is Forgotten Island about?

H.E.R. voices Jo and Liza Soberano voices Raissa, friends since childhood who are about to head in different directions after school. On their last night together, they find a portal to Nakali, an island filled with creatures drawn from Filipino family stories. Getting home has a painful price: they could lose every memory of their friendship.

Jo and Raissa celebrate beneath colorful fireworks on the island.
The friends enter a magical world inspired by Filipino stories. · Credit: DreamWorks Animation / Universal Pictures

That story makes the museum premiere more than an unusual venue choice. The film is built around the way stories and memories shape a friendship. Its colorful island also gives DreamWorks room to bring Filipino folklore to a wide theatrical audience. The Lucas Museum’s focus on images, films and narrative art puts those choices in the spotlight.

Who made and stars in the film?

Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado wrote and directed Forgotten Island, with Mark Swift producing. They previously worked together on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Dave Franco voices Raww, a helpful but clumsy weredog. Lea Salonga voices the feared Manananggal. Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng also appear in the voice cast.

Who plays whom?

Jo and Raissa pose on a jeepney in an official Forgotten Island promotional image.
The film opens in US cinemas after its Lucas Museum premiere. · Credit: DreamWorks Animation / Universal Pictures

DreamWorks released new trailers and official images ahead of opening day. The studio’s movie page now lists the film as in theaters. That is a US theatrical release, not a confirmed home-streaming launch. Peacock currently hosts an exclusive preview, but NBCUniversal has not announced a date for the full movie to stream there.

Forgotten Island is playing in US cinemas now. Our movie page has the cast, story and confirmed release information. If you plan to go, check a local cinema for showtimes; the Lucas Museum premiere was a special event, not the only place to see the film.