Written & Directed by Joel Crawford & Januel Mercado
Starring the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, Kevin McCann, & Lea Salonga
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Running Time: 1hr 49min
Rating: PG
Set during the 1990s in the Philippines, best friends, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Soberano), become trapped in the mystical world of Nakali, which they have grown up hearing stories of, and where their only escape might cost them their shared lifetime of memories.
This should have done better than it did financially, despite getting good reviews. I’m a sucker for period pieces, I grew up in the 90s, but in America, so I always love seeing what certain decades were like for other countries. Also it’s all just so visually stunning! So much color and fun character designs going on here.
I have some online friends from the Philippines, so certain terms I’m familiar with (such as Lola meaning grandmother) and some of the mythical creatures featured in the story (such as the manananggal, which is gnarly!), so getting to see all this in a major US animated studio is wonderful to see!
So yeah, absolutely see this when you get the chance! If it’s still playing in theaters where you live then see it on the big screen!
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