Pixar’s Coco Hits Even Even Harder Than Disney’s Encanto

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Pixar is releasing Toy Story 5 in theaters, marking their second film this year. Following the success of their earlier release in 2026, they continue to be a leader in animation. Also under the Disney banner, Walt Disney Animation Studios is building on the popularity of last year’s Zootopia 2 with a new animated film called Hexed, scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 25th.

Although Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios generally create distinct films, there’s been some overlap, most notably between Coco and Encanto. Both movies deeply explore Latin American culture and emphasize the importance of family. This similarity has sometimes led people to wonder if Encanto was actually made by Pixar. However, Coco originally covered these themes more effectively, making it the stronger film.

Encanto Is a Beautiful Cultural Story About Family Expectations

In 2021, Disney released a beautiful film that showcased the studio’s strengths. The story centers on Mirabel, a young woman who feels like an outsider in her family and worries she might unintentionally hurt those she loves. In her family, it’s customary for each member to receive a special gift when they come of age. However, Mirabel didn’t receive any gift at all, which deeply disappointed her grandmother. As a result, she often felt like a disappointment and a burden.

Everyone adored Mirabel, but she always felt like she didn’t quite measure up. Her sisters appeared to be thriving, though they also felt the strain of their family’s important role in the town. The truth is, no one in the Madrigal family was truly happy, and the family harbored a hidden pain, especially with Uncle Bruno being ostracized. Encanto explores themes of acceptance, finding your place within a family, and adapting to support those you love.

Encanto is a visually stunning and musically captivating film. Inspired by Colombian culture and a heartfelt story, the movie features a remarkable soundtrack that truly brings it to life. Several of the songs became global hits, demonstrating how deeply personal and relatable the music is. Walt Disney Animation Studios created a truly special musical experience, evoking the same warm, nostalgic feelings as classic Disney films.

This film stands out as a success within the studio’s collection. Although the main character faces challenges with her grandmother and uncle Bruno, the story is ultimately about family connection. It’s a heartwarming film that encourages viewers to appreciate their own families, imperfections and all, and its message feels both relatable and enduring. The animation and storytelling are so well done, it’s easy to see why some people might think Encanto was made by Pixar.

Coco Outshone Its Successor With Pride

As a huge animation fan, I absolutely loved Pixar’s Coco when it came out in 2017. It reminded me a lot of Encanto in how beautifully it drew from Latin American culture. The film centers around Día de los Muertos, the incredible Mexican holiday celebrating loved ones who’ve passed away. It definitely tackles big themes like death and grief, but does so with so much color and imagination! Coco shows this amazing afterlife where the memories of the living actually keep the deceased alive. But it also highlights how fragile memory can be – if people forget you, even in the afterlife, you start to fade away.

Like Encanto, the story explores family relationships and what it feels like to be different from your own family. Miguel faces this when his family bans music for generations, stemming from a past family member who abandoned them for his musical pursuits. Even though music is Miguel’s greatest passion, he’s forced to suppress it.

Driven by his passion for music, Miguel finds himself in the afterlife, but he’s unwilling to accept its limitations. He’s determined to return home and continue pursuing his dreams, all while working to save the memory of Hector, who is on the verge of being forgotten in the land of the dead.

Coco is a visually stunning film that offers a beautiful and imaginative take on the afterlife, drawing heavily from Mexican culture. The story is cleverly told, with a surprising twist that redefines the villain and shifts how we see Miguel’s family. Ultimately, it’s a heartwarming story about acceptance, change, and reconnecting with one’s roots. While both films celebrate Latin American heritage, the similarities between Coco and Encanto are still readily apparent.

The songs in these films are truly exceptional, especially thanks to the songwriting duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who worked on Frozen. They have a remarkable ability to craft music that powerfully drives the story forward. Music is central to the emotional impact of the films, with a key scene in one film using a beautifully written song to explore the power of memory. Coco is a particularly moving example, offering a hopeful perspective on death and different cultural beliefs. Ultimately, both Encanto and Coco celebrate the importance of love.

Pixar & Walt Disney Animations Must Start Looking For Studio Distinction

It’s easy to see why people compare these two films. They share a vibrant and striking visual style, and both feature incredible music that feels fresh for Disney, drawing heavily from Latin American influences. At their heart, both stories explore themes of family, loss, and love, focusing on characters who feel like outsiders and need to find acceptance – both from their families and for who they truly are.

As a fan, I always thought musicals felt more like Disney Animation’s thing – they’ve done so many princess movies with songs! It was a big surprise when Pixar released Coco, their first full-length musical. And honestly, Encanto felt more like a Pixar film to me, especially since it didn’t have a typical princess storyline. It’s becoming harder and harder to tell the difference between the two studios, which is a bit of a branding challenge. Back in the day, it was easy – Disney did princesses, and Pixar told really innovative, computer-animated stories. Now, the lines are definitely blurred!

I’m still seeing people mistake Encanto for a Pixar film, and honestly, it’s a wake-up call. Pixar needs to keep pushing boundaries with its animation to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully, they seem to be realizing that, and we’re starting to see a wave of really original movies. Elemental is a perfect example of this shift – it’s a visually stunning film and, for me, offers the clearest look yet at where Pixar is heading with its new approach, leaning back into what makes them special.

Walt Disney Animation Studios needs to create something truly original, rather than depending on established franchises that audiences already know and love. Their new film, Hexed, a story about magic and witchcraft, could be that breakthrough project. However, regardless of what they choose to do next, films like Encanto and Coco prove that the studio consistently creates beautiful and meaningful works of art that explore what it means to be human.

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2026-05-09 21:11