DreamWorks Animation's latest fantasy adventure, Forgotten Island, is quietly retreating from multiplexes. The studio has trimmed the film's theatrical footprint by roughly 500 screens, dropping from 3,548 to 2,898 locations as it enters its third weekend. The move comes as the movie continues to struggle at the box office, failing to capture the momentum of previous DreamWorks hits.
The film, which reportedly carried an $80 million production budget, has grossed just $30 million domestically and $50 million worldwide after 17 days. That's a far cry from the $100 million-plus it would need to break even theatrically. Over the weekend, it pulled in a modest $4.5 million domestically, trailing behind The Social Reckoning, which earned $5.5 million. Its opening weekend was equally underwhelming, with only $13 million in domestic ticket sales.
Despite the commercial disappointment, Forgotten Island has been a critical darling. The film holds a 95% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences echoing that sentiment at 95% Verified Hot. Critics have praised its vibrant animation and heartfelt story, calling it "a candy-colored ode to friendship and Filipino folklore." The voice cast, including H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, and Jenny Slate, has also drawn positive attention.
This theatrical fade is part of a broader trend for DreamWorks, which has deliberately scaled back budgets on original animated features in recent years. Forgotten Island joins a slate of sub-$100 million productions like The Bad Guys 2, The Wild Robot, and Kung Fu Panda 4—though those films all performed significantly better at the box office. The strategy mirrors that of Illumination, Universal's other animation powerhouse, whose Minions & Monsters underperformed relative to franchise predecessors but still grossed $525 million worldwide on an $85 million budget.
For fans of fantasy animation, the film's early exit from theaters is a reminder that even well-reviewed originals can struggle to find an audience. If you're looking for more fantastical fare, check out our list of Netflix fantasy gems that never had a bad season or our ranking of the best fantasy movies since 2010.
As Forgotten Island continues its theatrical run, it's unclear if it will rebound or if this marks the beginning of a rapid digital release. Similar situations have played out recently with other films, such as Alan Ritchson's Runner and Practical Magic 2, both of which saw significant theater losses before heading to streaming.
For now, Forgotten Island remains in select theaters. Whether it finds a second life on streaming or becomes a cult favorite remains to be seen. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other box office stories.
