## The Evolution of *Coco*: From Grief to Remembrance in Pixar’s Masterpiece
The animated film *Coco*,released in 2017,resonated deeply with audiences worldwide,celebrated for its vibrant visuals,heartwarming story,adn respectful portrayal of Mexican culture. However, the path to this critically acclaimed film was far from straightforward. Initial concepts for *Coco* underwent a meaningful transformation, pivoting from a narrative centered on grief and letting go to one embracing the core tenet of Día de los muertos: remembrance. As of November 10, 2025, *Coco* continues to be a benchmark for culturally sensitive storytelling in animation, influencing subsequent films and sparking broader conversations about memory and family. This article delves into the interesting evolution of *Coco*, exploring the initial story ideas, the pivotal realization about thematic dissonance, and the ultimate triumph of a narrative aligned with the spirit of the Day of the Dead.
### The Initial Story: A Journey of Saying Goodbye
early iterations of *Coco*, as revealed by director Lee Unkrich in a 2018 interview with Cinema Blend, focused on a young boy’s journey to the Land of the Dead, triggered by a series of unexplained occurrences.
Lee Unkrich, as reported by Cinema Blend (November 2018): “A series of strange events happened, and the boy ended up going to the land of the dead. But ultimately, that story, there was no Ernesto de la Cruz or any of that, it was a journey film that ultimately was about this kid coming to grips with his mother being gone and saying goodbye to her and letting go of her.”
This initial concept, while possessing potential for emotional resonance, centered on a protagonist grappling with loss and the necessity of acceptance. The narrative arc was designed to culminate in the boy’s ability to bid farewell to his deceased mother, finding closure through the experience.
However, this approach presented a essential conflict with the cultural importance of Día de los Muertos. The original storyline, focused on *letting go*, stood in stark contrast to the holiday’s central theme of *remembering* and maintaining a connection with departed loved ones. This realization proved to be a turning point in the film’s development.
### The Thematic Shift: Embracing Remembrance
unkrich and his team, immersed in research about Día de los Muertos, came to understand that their initial story fundamentally misrepresented the holiday’s core values.
Lee Unkrich, as reported by Cinema Blend (November 2018): “I realized at a certain point that the more that we were learning about Day of the Dead and what it’s all about, I realized that we were telling a story that was wholly antithetical, thematically, to what Dia de los Muertos is all about.As Dia de Los Muertos is about never letting go.”
This realization prompted a complete overhaul of the narrative. The team recognized that to authentically portray Día de los Muertos, the story needed to emphasize the importance of memory, family connection, and the enduring bond between the living and the dead.
This shift led to the introduction of pivotal characters like Ernesto de la Cruz, a celebrated musician whose legacy becomes central to the plot, and a deeper exploration of Miguel’s family history. The narrative evolved into a quest to uncover the truth about his great-great-grandfather, a musician whose memory had been intentionally erased from family lore.The film’s climax doesn’t involve saying goodbye, but rather *remembering* and restoring a forgotten ancestor’s place in the family’s collective memory.
### *Coco*’s Impact and Legacy: A Cultural Touchstone
The revised *Coco* resonated profoundly with audiences, earning over $807.8 million worldwide and winning numerous awards, including
