In a thrilling turn of events, Disney has officially announced that a sequel to the beloved animated film *Coco* is in the works! This much-anticipated follow-up comes six years after the original film's success, which premiered in 2017 and captivated audiences worldwide. *Coco* told the story of Miguel, a passionate musician who finds himself in the enchanting land of the dead, striving to lift a family curse tied to his family's disapproval of music. The film received rave reviews, boasting an impressive 97% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, and won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song with the moving track "Remember Me." Box office numbers for the film were staggering, amassing an impressive $814.3 million globally against a budget of approximately $200 million.

During the annual Disney shareholders meeting, CEO Bob Iger made the exciting announcement that *Coco 2* is officially in development, with a planned release date set for 2029. What’s even more exciting is that the original team, including director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina, is returning to helm the project. Iger mentioned, "While the film is just in the initial stages, we know it will be full of humor, heart, and adventure. And we can't wait to share more soon."

This news resonated throughout social media as Pixar shared the announcement on their official accounts, complete with a new logo for the upcoming film, stirring anticipation among fans.

What This Means for the Future of Pixar

The return of Unkrich and Molina is a noteworthy occurrence in Pixar's recent history, as the company typically collaborates with a diverse range of writers and directors. Recent sequels have often introduced new leadership, like Kelsey Mann taking charge of *Inside Out 2*, or Angus MacLane stepping into the *Toy Story* universe with *Lightyear*. The last sequel that featured the original director was 2018’s *Incredibles 2*, led by Brad Bird.

Unkrich’s anticipated return marks his first directorial role with Pixar in eight years, following a remarkable career that includes directing *Toy Story 3* and co-directing classics like *Finding Nemo* and *Monsters, Inc.*. Notably, Adrian Molina is also continuing his partnership with Pixar, especially after *Elio* underwent major creative changes that led to new co-directors being brought on board.

Why Is This Sequel Perfect Timing?

The announcement of *Coco 2* comes at an ideal moment for Pixar. The studio has previously released several original films in the early 2020s, including *Soul*, *Luca*, and *Turning Red*. However, 2024's *Inside Out 2* became the highest-grossing animated film of all time shortly after its release, only to be momentarily dethroned by 2025’s *Ne Zha 2*. The success of this sequel highlights a lucrative avenue for Pixar, leading the studio to explore more sequels amidst the excitement of continuing franchises like *Toy Story 5* and *Incredibles 3*.

Fans of *Coco* can now mark their calendars for 2029, as the adventure, magic, and music of Miguel’s journey are set to return to the big screen!