DreamWorks' latest animated feature, Forgotten Island, is quietly disappearing from multiplexes. The film, which opened in over 3,500 theaters, will now play in just 1,500 locations as it heads into its fifth weekend. This steep drop comes just days before the movie makes its premium video-on-demand (PVOD) debut, joining the psychological thriller Verity and the sci-fi misfire The Dog Stars.
The theatrical run has been a tough one for the studio. Forgotten Island has grossed roughly $65 million worldwide, a far cry from its reported $80 million production budget. With the traditional 50/50 revenue split between theaters and studios, the film would need to earn over $160 million globally just to break even—a target that now seems impossible. The movie's underperformance highlights a growing trend in the animation industry, where studios are tightening budgets and relying more on artificial intelligence, creating a feast-or-famine environment for what was once a reliable genre.
This year has been a mixed bag for animated releases. Minions & Monsters, the latest in the Despicable Me franchise, wrapped up with just over $500 million worldwide—a solid number, but a fraction of what its predecessors earned. Two of those films crossed the $1 billion mark, and three others topped $900 million. Minions & Monsters was the lowest-grossing entry since the original Despicable Me over 15 years ago. Meanwhile, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Toy Story 5 both soared past $1 billion, while Pixar's Hoppers and Sony's Goat struggled to reach $400 million and $200 million, respectively.
For Forgotten Island, the silver lining is its critical reception. The film, which celebrates Filipino culture and folklore, has earned a “Certified Fresh” 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised its vibrant animation and heartfelt story, with the consensus calling it “a candy-colored ode to friendship and Filipino folklore” that “bursts at the seams with imagination.”
The theater reduction is partly to make room for Laika's stop-motion fantasy Wildwood, which is expected to have a modest opening. Universal is pulling Forgotten Island from nearly 580 screens to accommodate the new release. This move mirrors the recent fate of other underperforming films, like the latest Resident Evil installment, which also saw a massive theater drop as its run wound down.
Despite its box office struggles, Forgotten Island has found a place among the best fantasy films of the decade, according to some critics. Its imaginative world-building and emotional core have drawn comparisons to other beloved animated adventures. However, the film's financial performance serves as a cautionary tale in an industry where even well-reviewed movies can fail to find an audience.
As Forgotten Island prepares for its digital release, it joins a growing list of fantasy films that squandered their potential at the box office. While the movie may not have conquered theaters, it could still find a second life on streaming, where audiences are more willing to take a chance on something new.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Forgotten Island and other box office stories.
