This Year’s Most Underrated Fantasy Film Officially Lands on Digital Early

In the midst of a September full of highly anticipated films such as Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Resident Evil, and Primetime, the animated fantasy Forgotten Island remained largely unnoticed at the box office, despite garnering positive reviews from critics and audiences alike (it holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). The reasons for its lack of attention remain unclear, whether it was due to insufficient marketing or simply poor timing.

Fortunately, the most underrated film of the year is now available for digital rental and purchase starting October 27, a full month before its physical release on December 1. Directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, who also directed the 2022 hit Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) on their final night together before their lives diverge.

Enchanted by the mythical island they find themselves on, they struggle to remember their shared adventure and uncover the events of their night.

The film masterfully incorporates Filipino mythology and culture, with nods to anime including a scene where Dave Franco's character, Raww, transforms into a Super Saiyan. The creators, being of Filipino descent, successfully infused the film with an authentic portrayal of Filipino relationships, emphasizing the connections formed through shared experiences.

Forgotten Island's unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt storytelling positions it as a standout addition to 2026's film landscape. As Polygon's Tasha Robinson lauded, "It seems uniquely appropriate for a movie built around the importance of memories to be this memorable itself."