Forgotten Island Ending Explained: How The Bittersweet Finale Sets Up A Sequel

Published Sep 24, 2026, 7:20 PM EDT Brandon Zachary is a Lead Writer for Screen Rant's New Movie Team. He also writes or has written for Comicbook.com, CBR, That Hashtag Show, Just Watch, and TVBrittanyF. Brandon is an Emerging Screenwriters Semi-Finalist, co-writer of a Screencraft Quarter-Finalist, a seasoned on-screen interviewer, and a MASSIVE nerd. You can reach him at bs.zachary@gmail.com The following contains spoilers for Forgotten IslandForgotten Island is a surprisingly emotional movie from DreamWorks, with a keen focus on the bonds of friendship and the important role they play in shaping us. The film follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa on the eve of the latter's departure from the Philippines. A portal to the lost realm of Nakali (and a long-standing promise to find their way there) prompts a grand adventure to the island. What follows is a kinetic and vibrant adventure across a mystical setting that remains emotionally grounded through its focus on the two young women. Along the way, the pair make other friendships that underscore the moral of the movie and add unexpected layers of depth to antagonists like Batibat and Manang. The film even ends with a natural way to continue the story in a prospective sequel. What Happens To Jo And Raissa In Forgotten Island? Jo and Raissa get a bittersweet ending in Forgotten Island, with their friendship enduring despite their very divergent life paths. Most of the film is rooted emotionally in Jo's trepidation about Raissa moving to America for college, creating a level of distance she fears could permanently tear them apart. Given Jo's father left her for America as well, this anxiety isn't unfounded. Through the trials and tribulations of Nakali, the pair's friendship is tested but ultimately rewarded, with the duo reaffirming their bond while inspiring everyone they meet on the island to be better. The film ends with a brief time jump, which confirms that Raissa did move to the United States for college. Meanwhile, Jo has used her artistic skills to become a world-famous comics creator. The final scene of the film reunites the pair as part of Jo's book tour, where they joke about how her most famous graphic novel is inspired loosely by their adventure (and even inserts a non-existent love triangle for Raissa into the narrative). It's a sweet moral that highlights how distance and time can't undo the most important connections in our lives. A Sequel To Forgotten Island Could Revisit Nakali While the climax concludes with Jo and Raissa escaping Nakali, the final scene of the movie confirms that the pair can return to the realm by using their friendship bracelets in sync. It seems that Batibat's efforts to draw the memories from them has imbued them with some innate connection to the realm, making it an easy gateway back. Jo and Raissa's excited leap into the portal at the end of the film suggests this is something they've figured out together and have used before. This could easily lay the groundwork for sequels where the pair revisit the island and get involved in the conflicts that can arise between the different factions and kingdoms. A follow-up could send the pair in with someone new (potentially a love interest or even a child down the line) of could draw emphasis on the bridge between worlds. It would even be a possible way for the supernatural figures and forces of Nakali to make the leap to Earth for an inverse of the first film. If Forgotten Island gets a sequel, the ability to hop between realms is a crucial little touch. Manang's Missing Memory Is Forgotten Island's Big Mystery One of the lingering mysteries that the movie doesn't explain is the missing memory of Manang. For much of the film, the Manang is a fearsome creature that stalks the island in search of her stolen wings. In the process, she has become a deadly and feared entity. However, her general rage gets a more nuanced touch when it's discovered that Batibat took one of her memories. This makes Manang a more direct foil to Raissa, who also reacts furiously when her memories are taken and becomes prone to lashing out at others. However, Raissa ultimately has someone she's willing to fight for in Jo, sacrificing her chance at a clean escape to return to Nakali and rescue her from Batibat. In the process, they convince the memory thief to repent and even return Manang's stolen memory. Although the missing memory isn't revealed to the audience, it's clear from the vampiric woman's calmer attitude and toned-down monstrous touches after having her memory restored that it was something important to her. It's an intriguing mystery for audiences to ponder on, especially given some interpretations of the folklore that inspired Manang being rooted in a history of wronged women. The True Meaning Of Forgotten Island Forgotten Island is largely a story about friendship and the way it shapes us. In the climax, as Raissa watches the memories she and Jo share are torn apart for Batibat's use, she witnesses how much of her own confidence and resolve stems from her friendship with her best friend. These memories are what shape both young women on a fundamental level. Even beyond the friendship and memories between Jo and Raissa, the empathy they share for the other inhabitants of the island turns potential threats into dependable allies. The likes of Raww, Mermahn, and Bungi become crucial on their journey and are even able to stand up to Manang for the sake of their friends. Together, the group reshapes each other and brings out the best in one another. This gives Forgotten Island a broader message than just one about the importance of friendship. It shows how that empathy can change strangers as well as reaffirm lifelong companions. It proves distance can't compete with love. Forgotten Island is a wonderful ode to friendship that does more than just be about friends. Forgotten Island Release Date September 25, 2026 Runtime 109 Minutes Director Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado Writers Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado Cast Liza Soberano Raissa (voice)