Get ready to journey back to the vibrant and emotional Land of the Dead—Disney and Pixar have officially announced Coco 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 Oscar-winning hit. During Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the follow-up film is in the early stages of development and is slated for a theatrical release in 2029.
“While the film is just in the initial stages, we know it will be full of humor, heart, and adventure,” Iger shared. “And we can’t wait to share more soon.”
The original creative team is reuniting to bring the magic of Coco back to life. Lee Unkrich, who directed the first film, is returning to helm the sequel alongside Adrian Molina, who co-directed and wrote the original. Producing duties will fall to Mark Nielsen, a Pixar veteran known for his work on Toy Story 4 and the upcoming Inside Out 2.
The 2017 original was a cultural phenomenon, earning widespread critical acclaim and grossing over $800 million worldwide. It tells the story of Miguel, a 12-year-old boy who defies his family’s generations-old ban on music to pursue his dream of becoming a guitarist. On Dia de los Muertos, Miguel finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead, where he uncovers the truth about his family’s history. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for the poignant ballad “Remember Me.”
While a 2029 release means fans will have to wait roughly 12 years between films, Disney and Pixar have proven that patience can pay off. Take Inside Out 2, for example: released nine years after the original, it shattered box office records for animated films in 2024. This suggests that taking time to craft a meaningful sequel can resonate deeply with audiences.
Pixar’s recent success has largely come from sequels to beloved franchises, such as Incredibles 2 (2018) and Inside Out 2 (2024). In contrast, original stories like Elemental (2023) and spinoffs like Lightyear (2022) have struggled to match the studio’s earlier triumphs. With Coco 2, Pixar is doubling down on what works while continuing to develop new projects like Elio and Hoppers, as well as follow-ups such as Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3.
The announcement of Coco 2 is sure to excite fans who fell in love with the original’s heartfelt story, stunning animation, and celebration of Mexican culture. While details about the sequel’s plot are still under wraps, one thing is certain: Disney and Pixar are committed to delivering another unforgettable journey filled with music, family, and the magic of the Land of the Dead.
Mark your calendars for 2029—Coco 2 is coming, and it’s bound to be worth the wait.
