Coco 2 Confirmed for November 2029 With a First-Look Reveal
Latin America · Culture
For anyone raising a family in Mexico or building a life across Latin America. The Land of the Dead is heading back to the big screen. Here is what Pixar actually confirmed, and how to enjoy the tradition while you wait.
Coco 2 is officially on the way, and after months of quiet Pixar has finally given fans something concrete to hold onto. At the Disney Entertainment Showcase during D23 Expo 2026 in Anaheim on Friday, 14 August 2026.
The studio confirmed a November 2029 release window and shared the first concept art from the sequel. For the millions of families in Mexico and across Latin America who took the original film to heart.
This is genuinely exciting news, even if the wait is a long one.
What Pixar Confirmed About Coco 2
For years the sequel was little more than a name. Bob Iger first said Coco 2 was in development back in March 2025, yet almost nothing followed.
So when Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter stepped on stage at D23 in mid-August 2026. The room was ready for real details.
Above all, the studio confirmed three things: a firm November 2029 release window. A batch of first-look concept art, and the return of one of the original film’s most memorable voices.
Because everything else about the plot is still under wraps. These confirmed facts are worth separating clearly from the rumors that tend to swirl around any Pixar project.
If you live in Mexico or elsewhere in the region, that matters. The first Coco became part of the cultural furniture here.
So it is worth knowing exactly what has been announced rather than relying on secondhand chatter.
When Coco 2 Arrives: The November 2029 Window
The headline number is simple: November 2029. That is the theatrical release window Pixar gave on stage, and it is the only official timing anyone should quote right now.
However, there is an important nuance. The studio did not lock in a specific calendar date, so anyone claiming to know the exact day is guessing.
In short, treat November 2029 as the confirmed month-and-year and nothing more precise than that. Yes, that is more than three years away.
Still, releasing near November is a deliberate choice, because it lines the film up with Dia de Muertos. The very tradition that inspired the original story.
The First-Look Concept Art
This is the part fans reacted to most. Pixar unveiled concept art rather than a full trailer, and even so the images were enough to set the crowd buzzing.
One piece shows a now-teenage Miguel walking down the street with Dante, his loyal dog from the first film. Another depicts Miguel back in the Land of the Dead, and a third captures an emotional reunion with Grandma Coco herself.
In fact, that reunion image was described by attendees as the standout of the reveal. There is no public teaser trailer yet, so for now the concept art is all Pixar has officially shared.
Do not expect finished footage for a long while, since the film remains early in production.
Who Is Coming Back
The clearest casting news is Benjamin Bratt, who will return to voice the charismatic villain Ernesto de la Cruz. Pixar confirmed this on stage, and multiple outlets reported it the same day.
Miguel, now shown as a teenager, is once again central to the story, and Grandma Coco features in that emotional reunion art. Anthony Gonzalez originated Miguel’s voice in the 2017 film; his return has been strongly implied by the concept art.
Although Pixar has not yet issued the same formal on-stage confirmation it gave for Bratt. Beyond that, no further voice cast has been officially announced.
As a result, any longer character list circulating online should be treated as speculation until Pixar says more.
The Team Behind the Film
Coco 2 reunites the creative team from the original. Lee Unkrich, who directed the 2017 film, returns to direct, while Adrian Molina comes back as co-director.
Producing duties fall to Mark Nielsen, the Oscar-winning producer behind Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2. Because the same core team is steering the sequel.
Fans have reason to hope the follow-up will carry the warmth and care that made the first film resonate so deeply.
Why Coco Matters So Much in Mexico and Latin America
It is hard to overstate how beloved the original Coco is here. When it opened in Mexico in October 2017.
It broke records and went on to become the highest-grossing film ever in the country at the time. The film earned about US$823 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards.
For Best Animated Feature and for the song “Remember Me”, at the ceremony in early 2018. Beyond the numbers, though, it won something harder to measure: trust.
Many Mexican viewers arrived worried the story would flatten their traditions into cliche. And instead they found a film that treated Dia de Muertos with real respect.
That is why a sequel lands so differently in this region than it might elsewhere. For expat and nomad families who have made a home in Mexico.
Coco is often the film that helped their kids understand the culture around them.
Dia de Muertos: The Tradition at Its Heart
Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated across Mexico on 1 and 2 November each year. In 2026, that falls on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 November, so it is easy to build a long weekend around it.
Families build ofrendas, or altars, layered with marigolds, candles, photographs, pan de muerto and the favorite foods of relatives who have passed. Far from somber, it is a warm, colorful celebration of memory and connection.
And that spirit is exactly what the first Coco captured. For newcomers, understanding this holiday is one of the quickest ways to feel closer to Mexican life.
Once you have visited a cemetery lit by candles on the night of 1 November. The emotional pull of Coco makes complete sense.
Where to Experience Dia de Muertos While You Wait
Three years is a long time, so the best way to sit with the news is to experience the real thing. Oaxaca is the classic choice, with its comparsas, sand tapestries and cemetery vigils drawing visitors from around the world.
Book accommodation months ahead, because rooms vanish fast around the holiday. Michoacan is another standout, especially the lakeside town of Patzcuaro and the island of Janitzio.
Where families keep candlelit vigils through the night. Mexico City, meanwhile, hosts a huge parade and countless neighborhood ofrendas, making it an easy option if you are already based there.
Wherever you go, approach it as a guest rather than a spectator. Ask before photographing altars, buy marigolds and pan de muerto from local vendors, and let the families around you set the tone.
How to Revisit the Original Before 2029
While you wait for Coco 2, the first film is the obvious warm-up. And it streams on Disney+ across most of Latin America.
It works beautifully in both its Spanish and English versions. So it is a rare movie you can enjoy in either language depending on the room.
For families settling into life in Mexico, a rewatch is more than nostalgia. It is a gentle, joyful primer on the traditions you will see all around you each November.
And a reminder of why the sequel is worth the long wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Coco 2 come out?
Pixar has confirmed a November 2029 theatrical release window. No specific calendar day has been announced yet, so November 2029 is the most precise timing available right now.
Is there a trailer or first look for Coco 2 yet?
There is no public teaser trailer. Pixar did unveil first-look concept art at D23 Expo 2026.
Who is in the Coco 2 cast?
Benjamin Bratt is confirmed to return as villain Ernesto de la Cruz. Miguel and Grandma Coco feature in the concept art, but no other voice cast has been officially announced.
Where can I experience Dia de Muertos in Mexico?
Oaxaca, the town of Patzcuaro and the island of Janitzio in Michoacan, and Mexico City are the best-known destinations. The holiday falls on 1-2 November each year, which in 2026 is Sunday 1 and Monday 2 November.
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