What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCoco
Film · 2017
If you loved Coco, start with Steven Universe (Rebecca Sugar, 2013) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Coco across media.
If you loved the way Coco navigates the complex bridge between ancestral heritage and the personal quest for self-discovery, explore these stories.
Books on the same thread
Beloved
Toni Morrison · Book · 1987
Explores: Intergenerational Trauma, Haunting and Memory, Motherhood and Sacrifice.
Like the spirits in Coco, the characters here confront the weight of history and memory, offering a profound, haunting look at how ancestors shape our present lives.
Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi · Book · 1996
Explores: Transformation, Redemption, Consequences.
This story mirrors the transformative journey found in Coco, focusing on a protagonist whose desire to belong and prove himself leads to unexpected and moral consequences.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez · Book · 1967
Explores: generational trauma, incest, fate vs free will.
This epic saga captures the same intergenerational intensity present in Coco, mapping out how the weight of family legacy and memory dictates the fate of future generations.
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi · Book · 1929
Shares a thread with Coco: coming-of-age.
Much like Miguel’s path in Coco, this narrative follows a young protagonist on a transformative coming-of-age journey that tests his morality and his place within his world.
Series on the same thread
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Explores: Friendship, Self-discovery, Redemption.
Just as Coco explores the connection between a boy and his family history, this series follows a young hero stepping into his mother’s legacy to find himself.
Hunter x Hunter
Series · 2011
Explores: self-discovery, overcoming adversity, friendship.
The drive to honor a father’s path while embarking on a high-stakes adventure mirrors the core emotional engine that propels Miguel forward throughout the film Coco.
Naruto
Series · 2002
Explores: Coming of Age, Underdog, Friendship.
Like Miguel in Coco, this protagonist seeks recognition while navigating a world that demands he prove his worth, highlighting the struggle between destiny and personal ambition.
The Legend of Korra
Bryan Konietzko · Series · 2012
Shares a thread with Coco: Coming-of-Age.
This story echoes the themes of Coco by showing a young leader challenging tradition to find balance, ultimately learning that true power comes from understanding one’s roots.
Podcasts on the same thread
Torta Podcast
Podcast
Explores: embracing life, positive mindset, self-acceptance.
This podcast captures the same spirit of embracing life and self-acceptance that defines the emotional climax of Coco, encouraging a positive outlook on your own heritage.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
While the tone differs, this show shares the focus on the search for genuine connection and legacy found in Coco, examining how we cultivate intimacy and friendship.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Coco about a boy who wants to be a musician?
Yes, Coco follows Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician despite his family's generations-old ban on music. His journey begins when he attempts to prove his talent and enters the Land of the Dead.
What is the main conflict Miguel faces in Coco?
In Coco, Miguel faces a conflict between his passion for music and his family's strict ban on it. This leads him to seek out his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, and eventually embark on a journey through the Land of the Dead with a character named Hector.
Does Miguel travel to another world in Coco?
Yes, after a mysterious chain of events, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. Throughout his time in Coco, he explores this location while working with the trickster Hector to uncover his family history.
Who does Miguel meet while in the Land of the Dead in Coco?
While navigating the Land of the Dead in Coco, Miguel meets a charming trickster named Hector. Together, the two characters set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the secrets behind Miguel's family history and his desire to play music.