Forgotten Island Director Teased Potential Sequel

Director Januel Mercado suggested future possibilities for the DreamWorks animated feature.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Animation

Graphic illustration of a stylized, vibrant tropical island map, evoking a sense of expansive animated world-building. — Director Januel Mercado has suggested that a sequel to the DreamWorks animated feature 'Forgotten Island' could further explore the history of the island of Nakali. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you watch a sequel to a film that performed poorly at the box office?

DreamWorks Animation director Januel Mercado has hinted at a potential sequel to the film Forgotten Island. He noted that the story could continue by exploring unanswered questions and established character histories.

Why it matters

A sequel could further expand the world of Nakali, as the filmmaker indicated the story exists within a larger framework of character backgrounds that were not fully explored in the first installment.

Forgotten Island earned $13 million during its domestic opening weekend following its release on September 25. The film has currently reached a total worldwide box office gross of $20.8 million.

The players

Januel Mercado

He is the director of the animated film Forgotten Island who has publicly identified potential narrative avenues for a sequel.

DreamWorks Animation

This is the major animation studio responsible for the production of the film Forgotten Island.

H.E.R.

She is a performer and star who provided voice work for the film.

Liza Soberano

She is an actress and star who provided voice work for the film.

The details

Director Januel Mercado stated that the film's narrative leaves room for future growth because of the character histories embedded in the setting of Nakali. While the story was contained within a single feature, the director confirmed that a path for a potential follow-up exists.

September 25, 2026: The film Forgotten Island opened domestically.

Industry Dynamics

This development follows the typical expansion pattern seen in the development cycle of DreamWorks Animation franchises. Studios often evaluate box office performance against established character potential to determine if a standalone film should pivot into a broader series.

Audiences can currently view the film in theaters where it remains in its initial domestic release window. Any future sequel announcement would likely determine potential shifts in theatrical versus streaming distribution strategies for the franchise.

The takeaway

Filmmakers often plant seeds for future storytelling even when a project is designed as a standalone work. Fans looking for franchise continuity should monitor studio announcements for potential greenlight decisions based on international box office totals.