Coco (franchise)
A franchise about family, music, and the Land of the Dead.
Pixar Animation Studios produces the *Coco* franchise, which Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributes. Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich, and Adrian Molina created this American media series. Set in Mexico during Día de Muertos, the story centers on Miguel Rivera and his family, with Miguel uncovering a connection between the living and the dead. The franchise launched with the 2017 film *Coco* and has a sequel, *Coco 2*, scheduled for 2029. It includes three short films, multiple video games, and a theme park ride currently in development.
- First film release
- 2017
- Upcoming sequel release
- 2029
- Creators
- Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich, Adrian Molina
- Production company
- Pixar Animation Studios
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Setting
- Mexico, Dia de Muertos
- Number of short films
- 3
Lore & Background
The franchise began with the 2017 film Coco, which follows 12-year-old Miguel Rivera, who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead and seeks help from his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return home and reverse his family's ban on music. The film was followed by three short films: Dante's Lunch (2017), A Day in the Life of the Dead (2021), and Family Bands Together (2024). A sequel, Coco 2, was announced in March 2025 by Disney CEO Bob Iger, with Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina returning as director and co-director, respectively, and Mark Nielsen as producer. The release date was set for November 21, 2029, during the D23 Fan Event on August 14, 2026, with Benjamin Bratt reprising his role as Ernesto de la Cruz.
The franchise has expanded into video games, with characters appearing in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode, Disney Magic Kingdoms (with a limited-time event), and a world based on Coco planned for Kingdom Hearts IV. A live stage show adaptation was announced on January 24, 2023, during Epcot's annual Disney on Broadway concert. In theme parks, Miguel appears as a meet-and-greet character at Disneyland's Frontierland, and figures of Miguel and Dante were added to It's a Small World in May 2025. A ride themed to the film was announced in August 2024 for Disney California Adventure, with construction beginning in 2026.
Reader's Guide
The Coco franchise is significant for its cultural representation of Mexican traditions, particularly Dia de Muertos, and its exploration of family and memory. The first film was the eleventh highest-grossing film of 2017 and is the 24th highest-grossing animated film of all time. It received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film. The franchise's legacy includes expanding into theme park attractions, video games, and a Broadway adaptation, demonstrating its enduring appeal. The upcoming sequel, Coco 2, and the planned ride at Disney California Adventure indicate continued investment in the franchise.
Did You Know?
- The short film Dante's Lunch was created early in the animation process to better understand the character Dante.
- Miguel appears as a meet-and-greet character in Frontierland at Disneyland.
- A live stage show adaptation was announced on January 24, 2023, during Epcot's Disney on Broadway concert.
- The sequel Coco 2 was announced in March 2025 with a release window of 2029.
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