Coco (Film)

Coco (2017) is an American 3D computer-animated musical-fantasy film produced jointly by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, centered on Mexican culture and especially the tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The film was directed by Lee Unkrich, with Adrian Molina serving as co-director and screenwriter. The screenplay was written by Unkrich, Molina, Jason Katz, and Matthew Aldrich.

Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition observed annually on November 1–2 to honor and celebrate the deceased. This special day is held to keep the memories of departed loved ones alive and to honor their spirits. Celebrations are filled with colorful decorations, traditional foods, and rituals. In 2008, it was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The film tells the story of Miguel Rivera, a 12-year-old boy living in the Mexican town of Santa Cecilia. Despite his family’s ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming a musician. On Día de los Muertos, while playing his guitar at the tomb of the famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz, he finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead. There, he uncovers secrets about his family’s past and meets his great-great-grandfather, Héctor. Miguel embarks on this mystical journey to change his family’s attitude toward music and discover his true identity.

^{Coco (2017), (Source:} IMDB⁾

Coco’s production process was shaped by a deep commitment to Mexican cultural heritage. The production team conducted field visits to the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Oaxaca to support research for the film’s background. During these trips, local traditions, architectural styles, and family dynamics were studied, and the findings were integrated into the film’s visual design and narrative structure. The film was produced with a budget estimated between $175 million and $225 million. It is also the first major-budget animated film to feature an entirely Latinx principal cast.

^{Coco (2017) Production, (Source:} IMDB⁾

• Miguel Rivera: A 12-year-old boy with a dream of becoming a musician. Despite his family’s ban on music, his passion leads him on an adventure to the Land of the Dead.
• Héctor Rivera: A cheerful and helpful skeleton living in the Land of the Dead who helps Miguel uncover the truth about his family’s past.
• Ernesto de la Cruz: Miguel’s idol, a famous musician whose true nature is revealed as the story progresses.
• Mamá Imelda: Miguel’s great-great-grandmother and the person behind his family’s ban on music.
• Mamá Coco: Miguel’s grandmother and Héctor’s daughter. She holds key memories of the family’s history.
• Dante: Miguel’s loyal dog and guide who accompanies him in the Land of the Dead.

^{Coco (2017), (Source:} IMDB⁾

Upon its release, the film won numerous awards at national and international film festivals.

• Best Animated Feature Film
• Best Original Song: “Remember Me”

• Best Animated Film

• Best Animated Feature Film

• Nominated in 13 categories and won 11 awards.

• Best Animated Feature Film
• Best Song: “Remember Me”

• Best Animated Motion Picture Producer

• Best Animated Film
• Best Music

• Best Song Written for Visual Media: “Remember Me”

The film earned over $800 million worldwide at the box office.

The film’s score was composed by Michael Giacchino. The song “Remember Me,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards. At the same ceremony, Coco also won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. The film achieved commercial success with box office earnings exceeding $800 million.

Soundtrack Album: The official soundtrack album was released on November 10, 2017, under the Walt Disney Records label. It features 11 songs performed by various artists and 27 instrumental pieces composed by Michael Giacchino.

“Remember Me”, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, is the emotional centerpiece of the film. Thematically, it embodies both farewell and remembrance. In the film, the song is interpreted in various forms by different characters: as a stage performance, a lullaby, and a memory melody. Particularly, Miguel singing the song to his great-great-grandmother Mamá Coco is a powerful scene symbolizing memory and family bonds. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2018.

^{Coco Remember Me Music, Remember Me (Source:} IMDB⁾

The song is presented in multiple versions throughout the film within different narrative contexts. First, it is introduced as a lullaby composed by the character Héctor Rivera for his daughter Coco. Later, it is performed as a stage number by the character Ernesto de la Cruz. Finally, it is reinterpreted emotionally by Miguel as a memory directed toward his great-great-grandmother Mamá Coco.

“Remember Me” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.

“Un Poco Loco” is a song performed jointly by Miguel and Héctor during a music competition in the Land of the Dead. With its humorous lyrics and rhythm, the song embodies the film’s lighthearted tone. It is also the scene in which Miguel first showcases his musical talent before a crowd. “Un Poco Loco” is composed in the cumbia style enriched with cultural elements.

^{Coco (2017), (Source:} IMDB⁾

La Llorona is a traditional Mexican folk ballad and is performed in Coco by the character Imelda in a dramatic scene set in the Land of the Dead. Thematically, the song explores intense emotions such as loss, longing, and regret.

The film interprets this scene with a theatrical style using its staging and visual storytelling techniques.

Coco is an animated film centered on Mexican culture and specifically the Día de los Muertos tradition. It has been widely praised by critics for its detailed and respectful portrayal of these cultural elements. Thematically, it focuses on family bonds, individual and collective memory, and questions of identity.

Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration observed on November 1 for children (Día de los Inocentes or Día de los Angelitos) and November 2 for adults (Día de los Muertos). These dates coincide with the Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. According to belief, during these days, the spirits of the deceased return to the world of the living to spend time with their families.

^{Coco (2017) Ofrenda, (Source:} IMDB⁾

• Ofrenda (Altars): Altars built in homes or cemeteries are decorated with photographs of the deceased, their favorite foods and drinks, candles, and marigold flowers (cempasúchil). These altars guide the spirits on their journey back to the world of the living.
• Calavera (Skull) Symbols: Colorful sugar skulls symbolize the joyful acceptance of death. People also dress their faces with skeleton makeup to participate in processions.
• Pan de Muerto: A sweet bread made specifically for Día de los Muertos, often decorated with bone-shaped designs and placed on altars.
• Cemetery Visits: Families visit the graves of their deceased loved ones, clean and decorate them, and share meals to honor their memories.