Coco 2 in Development as Pixar Reunites Original Creative Team

Pixar is returning to the world of Coco. Disney announced in March 2025 that Coco 2 is in development, bringing back director Lee Unkrich, co-director Adrian Molina and producer Mark Nielsen, the key creative team behind the acclaimed 2017 animated film.

The announcement marks the next chapter for one of Pixar’s most culturally resonant stories. While the studio has not revealed a release date, plot details or the full voice cast for the sequel, the return of the original filmmakers offers an important creative link to the first film.

Pixar prepares a return to the Land of the Dead

The original Coco introduced audiences to Miguel Rivera, a young boy whose passion for music leads him into the Land of the Dead during the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos. The film combined a family mystery with an exploration of memory, ancestry and the importance of being remembered.

Its emotional foundation came from the relationship between generations. Rather than treating family history as background detail, Coco placed remembrance at the centre of its narrative, showing how stories, photographs and music can keep connections alive across time.

That approach helped the film reach audiences well beyond its fantasy setting. Its depiction of Mexican traditions, music and visual culture was central to the film’s identity, while its themes of belonging and family gave it broad international appeal.

Why the original film remains significant

Released in 2017, Coco became one of Pixar’s major critical and awards successes. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Remember Me,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

The film’s recognition also reflected the strength of its storytelling. Coco presented a detailed cultural world without separating spectacle from emotion, allowing its animation, music and family drama to work together. For Pixar, it stood as an example of how an original animated story could be both culturally specific and globally accessible.

What is known about Coco 2

Coco 2 is currently in the early stages of development. Disney and Pixar have confirmed the return of Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina and Mark Nielsen, but have not announced the film’s storyline, release schedule or additional creative and casting details.

That leaves the sequel’s direction open, although the returning team suggests that the filmmakers who established Miguel’s world will help shape its next journey. Any continuation will also carry the responsibility of preserving the emotional and cultural qualities that made the original distinctive.

For audiences, the announcement is significant not only because it revives a popular Pixar title, but also because it signals the studio’s interest in expanding a story whose appeal is rooted in family memory and cultural identity. A sequel will need to offer a meaningful new adventure while respecting the emotional resolution of the first film.

DPIFF Instagram reference

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival shared the announcement of Coco 2 and the return of Pixar’s original creative team on Instagram. The post highlights the sequel’s connection to the 2017 film and its continuing themes of family, music and remembrance.

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About Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival is a platform dedicated to celebrating cinema and recognising creative achievement across the Indian and international film landscape. The festival highlights the work of filmmakers, actors, technicians and other contributors to the screen industries. Through its awards, editorial coverage and digital platforms, DPIFF connects audiences with important developments in contemporary cinema.

With Coco 2 still in development, further details are expected to emerge from Disney and Pixar as production progresses. For now, the confirmed return of the original creative leadership places the sequel among the studio’s most closely watched upcoming animation projects.