In an unexpected move, Disney has announced that Coco 2 is currently in development. The first film, a Pixar animation released in 2017, centers on Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), a young boy with dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family’s aversion to music. The movie, set against the vibrant backdrop of the Day of the Dead, received high praise and holds a Certified Fresh rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was not only a critical success but also a commercial one, earning two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me,” and grossing over $814 million worldwide on a budget of about $200 million.
At Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Coco 2 is indeed happening and is slated for a 2029 release. The film will see the return of its original directors, Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina. Iger expressed his excitement about the project, stating:
The project is still in the early stages, but we are confident it will deliver the same blend of humor, heart, and adventure. We look forward to revealing more details soon.
The announcement was also posted on Pixar’s official X account, which included the movie’s logo and the intended release year. Below is the post:
What This Means For Coco
A Welcome Return for the Original Directors at Pixar
Having the original directors of Coco come back to helm the sequel is quite unusual for Pixar these days. Although the studio generally maintains relationships with a variety of writers and directors, most recent sequels or spinoffs have seen new directors at the helm, such as Kelsey Mann for Inside Out 2 and Angus MacLane with Lightyear, marking his first foray into the Toy Story universe. The last sequel directed by its original director was Incredibles 2 in 2018, directed by Brad Bird.
This exciting news also ensures Adrian Molina’s continued collaboration with Pixar following a major creative shift in the upcoming Elio, which now includes co-directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi. This project will also be Lee Unkrich’s first directorial effort since Coco, after a distinguished run that included directing Toy Story 3 and co-directing other classics like Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and Toy Story 2.
Our Perspective on the Coco 2 Announcement
The Timing of the Sequel Could Prove Fortuitous
It’s clear why Pixar would decide to develop Coco 2 after such a considerable gap. The early 2020s were dominated by a series of original releases from Pixar including Onward, Turning Red, Soul, and Luca. The studio’s 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2, released nine years after its predecessor, became the highest-grossing animated film ever until it was overtaken by 2025’s Ne Zha 2. Given this pattern, pursuing another sequel alongside new chapters in established series like Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3 makes strategic sense.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
