The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Coco
Entertainment • Film

Coco

"Coco" is a 2017 American animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Coco is a 2017 American animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, it follows a boy named Miguel who enters the Land of the Dead during Día de los Muertos and uncovers his family’s history. The film received major critical acclaim and won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me.”

Premise

The film follows Miguel Rivera, a Mexican boy whose family has banned music for generations. On Día de los Muertos, he is transported to the Land of the Dead and tries to return home while learning the truth about his family.

Production

Coco was produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Lee Unkrich, with Adrian Molina credited as co-director and co-writer.

Themes and cultural setting

The film draws heavily on Mexican culture, particularly Día de los Muertos traditions. Its story explores family memory, generational conflict, identity, and the role of music in personal expression.

Reception and awards

Coco was widely praised for its animation, music, and cultural representation. It won major awards including the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

Key facts

  • Coco was inspired by and centred on Mexican traditions associated with Día de los Muertos.
  • The story follows Miguel, a young boy who wants to become a musician despite a family ban on music.
  • The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for 'Remember Me'.
  • Coco was a major commercial success and became one of Pixar’s most successful releases.
🍁
Canadian context

Coco was released theatrically in Canada by Disney/Pixar and became widely viewed there as a family animated film with broad theatrical and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Coco about?
It follows Miguel, a boy who loves music, as he enters the Land of the Dead during Día de los Muertos and discovers the truth about his family.
Who directed Coco?
The film was directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina.
What awards did Coco win?
It won the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me.”
When was Coco released?
It was released in 2017.
What culture is Coco based on?
The film is centred on Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos traditions.

References

  1. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/coco_2017
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriters, distributor, genre, release date, runtime, and box office.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_(2017_film)
    Supports: Plot summary, production details, voice cast, and general film overview.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2380307/
    Supports: Plot summary, themes, and film identification.
  4. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/coco-movie-facts-2018-10
    Supports: Commercial success, box office performance, and Mexico-related box office record claims.
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkWBfoiFUGs
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, main cast, story premise, and awards mentioned in the video description.