Most critics respond warmly to Coco, with praise clustering around its animation, music and respectful treatment of Mexican traditions. The detailed Land of the Dead setting draws particular admiration, while the songs and family story make its treatment of memory and bereavement moving for many reviewers. The voice performances also earn praise, with The i Paper singling out Gael García Bernal as Hector. Several reviews value how the film gives children a way to think about death without losing its humour.
The reservations concern familiar plotting, busy exposition and how insistently the film seeks tears. Responses range from enthusiastic approval to qualified appreciation, with even less persuaded critics finding merit in the images and cultural detail. Screen Daily offers the sharpest dissent, finding the characters perfunctory and the storytelling insufficiently engaging. The broader disagreement is over whether the emotional force compensates for the familiar Pixar machinery.
R
Radio Times
★★★★★ · Alan Jones
100
This is a rich tapestry of Mexican folklore and family heritage that finds Pixar at the top of its animation game and a quality magical must-see family attraction. It singles out the vibrant visuals, clever skeletal dexterity and tribute to Latino cinema.
Coco is a zingy, sunny family adventure about what it means to be dead that makes sense of bereavement in a healing and hopeful way. It could help children better understand grief.
The critic praises Pixar for raising the animation bar with its most musical and arguably most magical film yet, noting the breathtaking visuals and moving story about family connections. She singles out the absolute commitment to Mexican culture and the spectacular musical numbers leading to a touching finale.
The critic describes the film as a funny, irreverent and eye-popping CGI epic set around Mexico’s Day of the Dead that will make viewers cry. She singles out the subtle subversion of stereotypes through its focus on a hairy monster as hero and the emotional ode to memory and family.
The review highlights the breathtakingly stratified land of the dead and Pixar's polished craftsmanship as a homage to Mexican culture, but notes the film is somewhat formulaic with a relentlessly tearjerking finale.
The critic calls the film a spirit-raising fantasy that atones for years of Mexican cartoon stereotypes through its celebration of Day of the Dead traditions and strong representation. He singles out the breathtaking animation of the Land of the Dead and the exceptional voice work, especially Gael García Bernal as Hector.
Coco is a goofy joy that bubbles with wit and daring, gliding between kid-friendly spectacle and heart-tugging emotion. It singles out the full commitment to the Mexican Day of the Dead setting and the handling of tough themes like immigration and dementia.
The critic calls it Pixar’s best film in ages, visually splendid, frequently emotional and culturally nourishing, even if it lacks the ingenuity of their finest outings. She singles out the exquisitely rendered musical fantasy in the Land of the Dead and the addictive songs as delivering rich rewards.
The critic finds it a charming if belabored adventure indebted to other Pixar and Ghibli films, with delightful musical sequences and strong messages about family, though the setup feels homework-y and reliant on emotional manipulation.
It is almost lovely as a shaggy dog ride into the afterlife that never kicks into top gear and is not top-tier Pixar but decent enough. It singles out the pristine design and tactile textures for praise while noting lazy contrivances in the story.
Coco has all the Pixar virtues except simplicity, with a powerful idea about being forgotten and an emotionally effective climax. Its busy plot takes time to reach its strongest points.
Coco is sweet and sentimental without being particularly engaging, reverent rather than inspired due to perfunctory characters and mediocre plotting. It singles out the filmmakers' appreciation of Mexican traditions and the vibrant soundtrack and visuals for commendation.
Coco is a high-spirited romp through the underworld that honors family and roots while rebuking stifling traditions, but its breathless velocity and formulaic constraints keep it from feeling truly great. The visuals are rich and the cultural elements are handled with respect, yet it feels governed by timid, responsible spirits.
Coco is a beautiful testament to the power and pains of family that deconstructs myths around fame while celebrating Mexican culture. It singles out the tender and accurate depiction of Mexican traditions and the Day of the Dead.
Coco is an engaging and touching quest narrative with great spectacle, sweet musical numbers and insightful points about family and memory. It has a real third act and an interesting ending that leaves a lump in the throat.
The critic calls it one of Disney-Pixar's most engaging efforts, steeped in Mexican culture and folklore with emotional resonance and vibrant visuals. It features a peerless voice cast of Mexican and Latino actors and delivers a universal message about family bonds.
The film is a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and the first Pixar feature with a non-white protagonist, but it colors comfortably within the studio's lines on most other fronts. The sincere emotional resolution earns the sobs it inspires despite some drags and gags.
The film is a moving, beautiful look at family, music, and legacy realized through a journey in the Land of the Dead. It surpasses recent Pixar efforts with its visuals, characters, and emotional resolution.
The critic calls it another dazzling Pixar success, a colorful, musical and fun adventure that tops itself visually. He singles out the imaginative Land of the Dead setting, humor derived from the skeletal characters, and the flavorful score and songs.
The critic finds the film magical, rebellious and subversive, one of Pixar's very best that truly transports the viewer. They single out the heartfelt emotional core and the way it feels profoundly personal yet universal in the current political climate.
The critic hails it as a spirited, touching and breezily entertaining animated film that offers children a way to process death through Mexico’s Día de los Muertos. He singles out the rich music, spirited performances and swirling, vibrantly hued artistic achievement in its design and animation.
The critic says Pixar is back on track with one of their most beautiful movies. They single out the reliance on music and the vibrant, lush depiction of Mexican culture that makes it visually wondrous.
The critic calls it a wonderful return to form for Pixar that delivers emotional and creative goods while exploring other cultures with genuine respect. They single out the vibrant, stereotype-free love letter to Mexico and its Day of the Dead traditions along with the heartfelt family themes.
It is a tidy, endearing story with a beautiful, well-realized aesthetic that gives prominent billing to Mexican culture. The rich Land of the Dead world and a powerful emotional scene stand out for praise.
The critic calls it a delightful return to form for Pixar with a poignant family story and rich homage to Mexican culture, plus rousing musical numbers. They single out the eye-popping world-building and colorful design of the Land of the Dead as a highlight.
Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate
