A sequel to the 2017 Pixar hit Coco, tentatively titled Coco 2, is currently in development at Disney, with a scheduled theatrical release set for November 2029. The film marks the return of the original directing team and features a narrative shift that brings back key characters from the first installment.
Coco was a significant commercial and critical success for Pixar, grossing over $800 million worldwide and securing two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Remember Me" (Box Office Mojo, 2017).
Disney confirmed that the original creative team behind the first film will lead the production of Coco 2. Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina are returning to direct the project, ensuring creative continuity for the franchise (Disney D23, 2024). This leadership alignment is intended to maintain the cultural sensitivity and narrative style that defined the original film.
Coco 2 will follow a teenage Miguel as he is drawn back to the Land of the Dead, according to early previews shared at the D23 fan event (Disney D23, 2024). The plot introduces a shift in the relationship between Miguel and the antagonist Ernesto de la Cruz. Benjamin Bratt, who voices de la Cruz, indicated that the character returns seeking revenge against Miguel for the events of the first film, forcing an unlikely and reluctant partnership between the two.
Disney’s decision to move forward with a sequel follows a period of strategic re-evaluation regarding its intellectual property. CEO Bob Iger first signaled that a Coco follow-up was in the planning stages in March 2023, reflecting a broader corporate focus on established franchises with proven audience resonance (Variety, 2023). Given that the original film remains one of the few high-grossing Pixar titles without an immediate sequel, the company is leveraging existing brand equity to drive theatrical attendance.
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More from GroundworkCoco 2 is currently slated for a November 2029 release (Disney D23, 2024). This long development window is consistent with Pixar’s standard production cycle, which typically spans several years to accommodate complex animation rendering and story refinement. While the 2029 date is the current target, production schedules in the animation industry are subject to change based on studio priorities and creative adjustments.
How does this sequel impact the original story?
By bringing back Ernesto de la Cruz, Coco 2 complicates the resolution of the first film. The narrative premise—that de la Cruz views Miguel as the person responsible for destroying his legacy—suggests a darker, more confrontational tone compared to the original, which focused primarily on familial reconciliation. For viewers, this means the sequel will likely explore the consequences of the truth revealed in the first movie, rather than simply repeating the "discovery" arc of the original story.
If you are interested in the release of Coco 2, monitor official channels from Pixar and Disney for updates as the 2029 release date approaches. Because the production timeline is extensive, official trailers and casting confirmations are unlikely to appear until the final two years of the development cycle. In the meantime, you can re-watch the original Coco on Disney+ to familiarize yourself with the established lore and character dynamics that will serve as the foundation for the upcoming sequel.
