Pixar is officially returning to the Land of the Dead. Disney and Pixar announced at the D23 fan event on August 14, 2026, that ‘Coco 2’ will hit theaters in November 2029. The sequel will pick up several years after the original film, with Miguel now a teenager facing the return of his biggest enemy. Benjamin Bratt will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz, who is back for revenge against the boy who exposed his dark secrets. Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina will return to direct, with Mark Nielsen producing. The announcement came with the first concept art showing an older Miguel walking with his loyal dog, Dante.
Teenage Miguel Takes Center Stage in the Sequel
The new Coco 2 movie jumps forward in time. Miguel is no longer the 12-year-old boy from the 2017 original. He is now a teenager, and the first concept art reveals his new look. He has a new haircut but still carries his signature guitar. The artwork shows him walking alongside Dante, his faithful dog from the first film. The story takes place several years after the events of the original movie. This time jump allows the filmmakers to explore how Miguel has grown and changed since his first adventure in the Land of the Dead.
Pixar shared the concept art on social media with a simple message. The studio wrote on Instagram:
“We are officially returning to the Land of the Dead in 2029 with Coco 2! Check out Miguel in the new concept art revealed at #D23.”
Ernesto de la Cruz Returns for Revenge
Benjamin Bratt took the stage at the D23 event to confirm his return as the voice of Ernesto de la Cruz. In the first film, Ernesto was Miguel’s idol who turned out to be a murderer and a fraud. Miguel exposed the truth, ruining Ernesto’s legacy. Now, the villain wants payback.
Bratt explained the sequel’s plot during his appearance:
“To some, Miguel is a little menace who ruined a career and destroyed a legacy. Ernesto de la Cruz is back for revenge, sending Miguel on an adventure back to the land of the dead. Proving fate has a sense of humor, Miguel must team up with a handsome superstar: me.”
The actor also joked about his character’s perspective. While fans see Miguel as a hero, Bratt noted that “to some, he’s a little menace”. This sets up an interesting dynamic where the villain gets to tell his side of the story.
Creative Team Returns for the Sequel
Lee Unkrich, who directed the original Coco, is coming back to direct the sequel. He is working alongside Adrian Molina, who co-wrote the first film and will serve as co-director. Unkrich had retired from Pixar in 2019 to spend time with his family, but he is returning for this project. Molina previously directed Elio and contributed to The Good Dinosaur.
Mark Nielsen, a Pixar veteran known for producing Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2, will produce Coco 2. The songwriting team from the first film is also expected to return to create new music for the sequel.
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger first announced the sequel was in development during a shareholder meeting in March 2025. At that time, he said the film was in its early stages and would arrive in theaters in 2029.
The Original Coco’s Success and Legacy
The first Coco film arrived in theaters in November 2017 and became a massive hit. It followed Miguel, a young boy from a family that had banned music for generations. During the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, Miguel accidentally traveled to the Land of the Dead. There, he uncovered his family’s secrets and learned the true story behind his great-great-grandfather.
The film earned over $800 million at the global box office. It won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me,” written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The movie was praised for its emotional story, beautiful animation, and celebration of Mexican culture.
What to Expect From Coco 2
The sequel will bring back Héctor, Miguel’s skeleton guide from the first film. It is not yet confirmed whether Anthony Gonzalez, who voiced Miguel in the original, will return for the sequel. The film will take Miguel back to the Land of the Dead, where he must face the consequences of exposing Ernesto de la Cruz.
Pixar is leaning into sequels with this release. Recent Pixar sequels like Toy Story 5 and Inside Out 2 both grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Incredibles 3 is set to release in 2028, ahead of Coco 2.
Disney is also expanding the Coco brand beyond movies. A Coco-themed attraction is planned for Disney California Adventure and is expected to open in the coming year.
Release Information for Global Audiences
Coco 2 will release in theaters in November 2029. The specific date is November 21, 2029. This positions the film as the Thanksgiving release for that year. The movie will debut in theaters worldwide, with Disney planning a traditional theatrical release rather than a streaming debut.
For audiences in the USA, the film will arrive just before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. UK and Canada viewers can expect a similar November 2029 release window. Australia and India will also receive the film in theaters around the same time, though exact dates for international markets have not been confirmed. Global audiences should check their local theater listings as the release date approaches.
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