Pixar just announced a slew of new projects, because of course they did. As part of their presentation at D23, the studio confirmed a sequel to their 2017 hit Coco, titled Coco 2, which is set to premiere in 2029. Because the world was just missing a follow-up to a movie that already perfectly told a self-contained story. The original Coco was a critical and commercial success, and Pixar is clearly hoping to recapture some of that magic with the sequel. They also released a first look at a much older Miguel in the form of concept art, because who doesn’t want to see a character they loved as a kid all grown up and still dealing with the same family drama?
The presentation at D23 also saw Benjamin Bratt take the stage to announce that he would be reprising his role as the villain Ernesto de la Cruz in Coco 2. He also managed to sneak in a solid dad joke, because that’s what these events are all about. The Coco-related announcements didn’t stop there, as Pixar also revealed that the world of Coco would be featured in the upcoming Disney video game Kingdom Hearts IV. Because what’s a Disney franchise without a crossover event, right? It’s not like they’re trying to create a shared cinematic universe or anything (oh wait, that’s exactly what they’re doing).
Pixar’s Future Plans
In addition to the Coco sequel, Pixar also announced a few other projects, including a new piece of concept art from Incredibles 3, which is currently due in theaters in the summer of 2028. Because the world is just missing a third installment in a franchise that already perfectly wrapped up its story. The studio also revealed what they’re billing as their “first ghost movie,” titled Ghost Market, which is set to bow in the spring of 2028. Because who doesn’t want to see a Pixar movie about ghosts? It’s not like they’re trying to cash in on the latest trend or anything (oh wait, that’s exactly what they’re doing).
The fact that 2026 marks 40 years of Pixar Animation Studios is also worth noting, if only because it’s a reminder that the studio has been around for a long time and has been producing quality content for decades. Although, it’s worth pointing out that Toy Story 1 came out in 1995, so that’s only 31 years old. Which, you know, is still a long time, but not as long as 40 years. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like Pixar is trying to make us feel old on purpose.
The Never-Ending Cycle of Sequels
It’s worth noting that Coco 2 is just the latest in a long line of sequels and reboots that have been announced in recent years. It’s like Hollywood has given up on trying to come up with original ideas and is just relying on nostalgia to carry them through. The Content Mines are still fully operational, and it’s clear that they’re not going to run out of material anytime soon. Somewhere, a Focus Group earned another bonus for telling a studio exactly what they wanted to hear. And so, the cycle continues, with studios cranking out sequel after sequel, each one trying to recapture the magic of the original. It’s exhausting, but hey, at least we’ll always have something to watch.
As I’m sure you’re all aware, every trailer is apparently “the most anticipated event of the decade,” and Marketing departments have once again declared history to be “made.” But let’s be real, we’ve seen this all before. Another beloved franchise has successfully avoided the sweet release of death, and the Merchandising Department has already started working on ways to milk it for all it’s worth. It’s just another day in the world of Hollywood, where the goal is always to make as much money as possible, no matter the cost. And so, we’ll just keep on watching, and the studios will keep on producing, until the wheels finally fall off this never-ending machine. Until then, I’ll just be over here, waiting for something, anything, to surprise me.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
