Coco 2 (2025) is a highly anticipated sequel to Pixar’s 2017 film Coco, which enchanted audiences with its heartfelt exploration of family, tradition, and the afterlife. The sequel picks up several years after the events of the original film, where Miguel Rivera, having reconnected with his ancestors during his journey through the Land of the Dead, is now a young adult deeply connected to his family and heritage. Music, once forbidden in the Rivera family, has become an essential part of their lives, with Miguel continuing his passion for music and honoring his great-great-grandfather, Ernesto de la Cruz.
In Coco 2, the story delves deeper into the relationship between the living and the dead. The film opens during the annual Día de los Muertos celebration, where the Riveras joyously remember their loved ones. This year, however, Miguel notices something strange: fewer spirits are returning to visit their families. Some of the altars are missing their photographs, and the connection between the living and the dead seems to be weakening.
Concerned, Miguel is visited by his old friend Hector in a dream-like encounter. Hector explains that something is wrong in the Land of the Dead—ancient barriers between the realms of the living and the dead are being disrupted, causing spirits to disappear. It turns out that the Land of the Dead is facing a new threat from an ancient, forgotten curse tied to a dark part of Mexican folklore. This curse threatens not only the spirits but also the memories that keep them alive in the hearts of the living.
Miguel, driven by his deep connection to his ancestors, sets out on a new adventure that takes him back to the Land of the Dead. Alongside his spirit guide, Dante the Xolo dog, and his deceased family members, Miguel must travel to forgotten areas of the afterlife to uncover the origins of the curse. Along the way, he meets new characters, including ancient spirits who hold the key to reversing the curse but are reluctant to help due to long-held resentments.
As Miguel races against time, the film explores themes of legacy, forgiveness, and the importance of remembering those who came before. The vibrant animation of the Land of the Dead returns, now even more elaborate and visually stunning as Miguel journeys through both familiar and new parts of the underworld.
In the emotional climax, Miguel realizes that the only way to break the curse is through a deeper understanding of his own family’s history and the shared legacy of the living and the dead. Coco 2 promises to be another visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful story that celebrates Mexican culture, family, and the enduring bonds that transcend life and death.