Pixar is taking Miguel‘s story into his teenage years with Coco 2, bringing the young musician back to the Land of the Dead for another supernatural adventure.
The studio confirmed the sequel’s November 2029 cinema release during Disney’s D23 event, where it also offered the first glimpse of an older Miguel. Concept artwork presented at the event showed the character alongside Dante, his loyal dog from the original film.
The new story will reunite Miguel with several familiar faces, including Ernesto de la Cruz, the legendary singer whose carefully constructed reputation was dismantled during the events of Coco.
Benjamin Bratt, who provided Ernesto’s voice in the first film, is returning for the sequel. This time, however, the character will have a personal score to settle with Miguel.
Ernesto de la Cruz is back for revenge
Ernesto was revealed in Coco to have built his career on music stolen from Héctor, Miguel’s great-great-grandfather. The discovery turned the celebrated performer from a family idol into the central antagonist of the film.
The sequel will revisit that conflict, with Ernesto seeking revenge against Miguel after the boy helped expose the truth about his past.
Pixar has not explained how Ernesto will return or what circumstances will lead Miguel back into the Land of the Dead. The studio has also kept most of the plot under wraps, leaving details of the new adventure undisclosed.
Héctor is expected to feature as well, continuing the bond established between him and Miguel in the original film.
The sequel is being developed by several members of the creative team behind Coco. Lee Unkrich, who directed the 2017 film, will return to the director’s chair with Adrian Molina, who co-directed the original. Mark Nielsen will produce.
Nielsen previously produced Pixar projects including Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2.
What we know about the sequel
Disney announced Coco 2 in March 2025, initially describing the project as being in the early stages of development. The studio said at the time that Unkrich, Molina and Nielsen would reunite for the film.
The original Coco arrived in cinemas in 2017, following Miguel, a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s long-standing rejection of music.
His attempt to prove himself led him into the Land of the Dead, where he uncovered a series of family secrets and learned the real story behind his ancestors’ history.
The film became a major commercial and critical success, earning more than $800mn worldwide. It also won the Academy Award for best animated feature and best original song for «Remember Me». The film additionally received the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for best animated film.
Coco 2 will now pick up Miguel’s story after the events of that film rather than simply retelling or extending its original premise. The character’s move into adolescence is expected to give Pixar a new perspective on his relationship with his family, music and the spirit world.
For now, the studio has revealed only limited details about the sequel beyond its premise, returning characters and creative team. More casting announcements, footage and plot information are expected closer to the 2029 release.
