The Coco 2 movie finally has an official update, and Pixar fans have waited nearly a decade for it. Disney confirmed the long-rumored sequel at its D23 fan event, ending years of speculation about whether the beloved 2017 film would ever get a follow-up.
For anyone still asking, “is there gonna be a Coco 2,” the answer is now a firm yes. Disney and Pixar used the showcase to unveil new concept art, confirm returning cast members, and share the first real plot details for the highly anticipated project.
Benjamin Bratt Confirms His Return
Actor Benjamin Bratt took the stage at D23 to make the announcement himself. He will once again voice Ernesto de la Cruz, the legendary singer whose dark secret defined the emotional twist of the original film.
Bratt teased the character’s mindset heading into the sequel. He described Miguel as “a little menace who ruined a career and destroyed a legacy,” adding that Ernesto de la Cruz is coming back for revenge. According to Bratt’s comments on stage, fate has a sense of humor, and Miguel will need to team up with the very man he exposed years earlier.
That reveal answers another popular search question, “is Coco 2 coming out.” The project is officially in development, with a returning voice cast member, a confirmed creative team, and a general release window now locked in.
A Teenage Miguel Leads the Story
The most significant plot detail involves Miguel’s age. Rather than picking up immediately after the first film, Coco 2 jumps forward several years. Miguel is no longer the 12-year-old boy fans remember. He is now a teenager, which opens the door to a more mature adventure back in the Land of the Dead.
Concept art shown at D23 depicted an older Miguel walking alongside his dog Dante, along with an emotional reunion scene between Miguel and Mamá Coco in the afterlife. The imagery suggests the sequel will lean into the same blend of humor, music, and family emotion that made the original a global hit.
Ernesto’s motivation drives the new conflict. He was humiliated and exposed as a fraud and a killer at the end of the first movie, and a falling bell appeared to end his story for good. The sequel’s setup confirms he survived in some form and has spent years plotting payback against the boy who ruined him.
Release Date and Timeline
Multiple outlets reported that Coco 2 is targeting a November 2029 theatrical release, with several citing November 21, 2029 as the specific date shared during the presentation. A few reports noted that the exact date may still be subject to change, since some early promotional materials referenced only the year.
Here is a quick timeline of how the sequel came together:
- March 2025: Then-Disney CEO Bob Iger announced Coco 2 was officially in development during the company’s annual shareholder meeting.
- August 2026: Disney and Pixar revealed the first concept art, confirmed Benjamin Bratt’s return, and shared a November 2029 release window at D23.
- November 2029: The sequel is expected to arrive in theaters, roughly 12 years after the original Coco premiered in November 2017.
That gap places Coco 2 among the longer waits between an original Pixar film and its sequel, though the studio has taken similar breaks before with other franchises.
Who Else Is Returning
Director Lee Unkrich is back behind the camera, joined again by co-director Adrian Molina, who also helped write the original film. Producer Mark Nielsen returns as well, keeping much of the Oscar-winning creative team from 2017 intact.
Bratt is currently the only confirmed member of the voice cast. It remains unclear whether Anthony Gonzalez will reprise Miguel now that the character is older, or whether Pixar plans to recast the role for the teenage version. Details on Héctor’s involvement, along with the rest of the Rivera family, have not been confirmed either, though concept art suggests Mamá Coco will factor into the story in some way.
The songwriting team behind the original film’s Oscar-winning music is also set to contribute new songs for the sequel, according to details shared alongside the announcement.
Why the Coco 2 Movie Matters to Pixar
The original Coco grossed more than $800 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me.” Its success made a sequel feel almost inevitable, even though Pixar took years to confirm one.
Coco becomes the seventh Pixar franchise to receive a sequel, joining other major names like Toy Story, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Inside Out. The announcement arrived alongside another major Pixar reveal, a follow-up to The Incredibles set for 2028, signaling a busy stretch of returning franchises for the studio over the next several years.
Disney also used the event to highlight a new Coco-themed attraction currently under construction at Disney California Adventure, reinforcing how central the franchise has become to the company’s broader parks and entertainment strategy.
What Fans Can Expect Next
Pixar did not share a trailer or additional footage beyond the concept art shown at D23. A full cast list, official synopsis, and marketing rollout will likely follow as the 2029 release window approaches.
For now, fans searching whether there is going to be a Coco 2 finally have a clear, confirmed answer. The project is moving forward, the story is taking shape around a teenage Miguel and a vengeful Ernesto de la Cruz, and Benjamin Bratt is back to bring the character to life once again.
What do you think Ernesto de la Cruz’s revenge plan looks like? Share your predictions and let us know how excited you are for the Coco 2 movie.