Forgotten Island will be available to rent or buy digitally from 27 October, giving Australian viewers an early chance to catch one of 2026’s most overlooked fantasy films.
The animated adventure arrived in cinemas during a crowded September, alongside films including Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Resident Evil and Primetime. Despite strong audience and critical reactions, it made little impact at the box office. The film currently holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
When can you watch Forgotten Island at home?
Universal has confirmed that Forgotten Island will reach digital rental and purchase services on 27 October, several months before its streaming debut. Physical editions are scheduled to follow on 1 December.
That release window gives the film another opportunity to find an audience beyond its theatrical run. Its mix of mythology, comedy and expressive animation may also appeal to viewers who enjoy discovering distinctive fantasy worlds through games and interactive entertainment. RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage explores plenty of those wider connections.
What is Forgotten Island about?
Written and directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo, voiced by H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Liza Soberano. Their final night together before adulthood takes them in separate directions becomes an extraordinary journey.
The pair are carried to a mythical island inhabited by fantastical creatures. When they wake, they cannot remember what happened. Their search for a way home becomes a process of reconstructing the night’s events and rediscovering the reasons their friendship matters.
Crawford previously co-directed 2022’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In this film, the creative team uses the island setting and Filipino mythology to build a story with its own visual and cultural identity.
Filipino mythology and animation at the centre
The film incorporates anime references, including a sequence in which Dave Franco’s character Raww transforms in a Super Saiyan-inspired moment. Its broader approach combines playful humour with a setting rooted in Filipino culture.
H.E.R. and Soberano’s Filipino heritage also helped shape the relationship between Jo and Raissa. Their shared background informed the sense of immediate familiarity between the characters, including the meaning and use of the phrase “Tayo na!”.
For viewers who enjoy seeing how visual worlds are made, RETROCADE’s arcade video collection offers another way to explore creative work behind games and entertainment.
A fantasy film built around shared memories
Forgotten Island uses its supernatural premise to explore the uneasy transition from childhood to adulthood. The story treats memory as both a mystery to solve and the foundation of a lasting friendship.
Its combination of cultural authenticity, comedy and detailed animation made it a standout among 2026 releases, even if its cinema run did not attract widespread attention. The digital release on 27 October may be the film’s best chance to reach the audience it missed the first time.
Forgotten Island follows two friends through a magical night they cannot remember, then asks what their shared past means for the future.
If you are planning a dedicated home entertainment setup for films, games or both, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide can help you compare the options before choosing a cabinet.
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