Coco 2 (2025)
“Every song tells a story… and some stories refuse to fade.”
Pixar returns to the Land of the Dead in Coco 2 (2025), a visually dazzling and emotionally rich sequel that deepens the themes of family, legacy, and the power of music. Directed by Adrian Molina, the film captures the same heart and cultural authenticity that made the original a modern classic — while daring to take Miguel’s journey in bold new directions.
Now a talented young musician on the brink of stardom, Miguel (voiced again by Anthony Gonzalez) faces an unexpected crossroads when he begins receiving mysterious songs in his dreams — songs no living person claims to have written. When the Día de los Muertos arrives, Miguel finds himself pulled back into the Land of the Dead, where he discovers a new realm beyond: La Tierra del Olvido, the Place of the Forgotten, where memories fade and souls vanish unless their stories are told.
The returning cast — Gael García Bernal as Héctor, Benjamin Bratt as Ernesto de la Cruz (now seeking redemption), and Alanna Ubach as Mamá Imelda — breathe warmth and humor into the film, while newcomer Selena Gomez voices Luna, a spirited guide who helps Miguel navigate this mysterious, fading world.
Visually, Coco 2 is breathtaking. Pixar pushes its animation to new heights with ethereal, dreamlike landscapes, glowing marigold bridges, and spectral constellations shaped like musical notes. The soundtrack is equally enchanting, blending traditional Mexican folk music with sweeping orchestral arrangements. Standout songs like “Canción de las Estrellas” and “Never Let Me Go” are instant classics.
At its heart, the film is about the stories we leave behind — and the ones we fight to keep alive. The climax, in which Miguel must perform one final song to save a loved one from disappearing forever, is a tearjerker on par with the original’s “Remember Me.”
By the end, Coco 2 (2025) feels like a true celebration of love, culture, and the way music connects us across time. It’s joyful, heartbreaking, and absolutely unforgettable — the rare sequel that stands shoulder to shoulder with its predecessor.
