Coco follows Miguel, a young boy who ventures into the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s buried history and passion for music. The film explores themes of memory, legacy, and the unbreakable bonds of family, blending vibrant storytelling with emotional depth.
This list highlights 25 pivotal quotes that capture the heart of the story, its characters’ growth, and the enduring power of remembrance.
Remember me, though I have to say goodbye, remember me, don’t let it make you cry
Scene: Ernesto de la Cruz’s performance
Speaker: Ernesto de la Cruz
Context: His iconic song underscores the film’s theme of legacy and the fear of being forgotten.
Our memories, they have to be passed down by those who knew us in life – in the stories they tell about us
Scene: Héctor explains remembrance
Speaker: Héctor Rivera
Context: Highlights the importance of oral tradition in keeping memories alive across generations.
You don’t have to forgive him. But we shouldn’t forget him!
Scene: Miguel defends Héctor
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Bridges familial conflict with the necessity of preserving history, even amid pain.
I wanted to forget you. I wanted Coco to forget you, too, but…
Scene: Imelda confronts Héctor
Speaker: Mamá Imelda
Context: Reveals her struggle between resentment and the inevitability of family ties.
Family comes first
Scene: Miguel’s resolution
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Marks his growth from rebellion to embracing familial love over personal ambition.
To be remembered is to be alive
Scene: Héctor’s plea to Miguel
Speaker: Héctor Rivera
Context: Distills the film’s core message about memory as a lifeline beyond death.
The rest of the world may follow the rules, but I must follow my heart
Scene: Miguel defies his family
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Embodies the tension between tradition and individuality central to his journey.
No one was going to hand me my future. It was up to me to reach for my dream
Scene: Miguel’s determination
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Reflects his resolve to carve his own path despite familial opposition.
We may have our differences, but nothing’s more important than family
Scene: Imelda’s reconciliation
Speaker: Mamá Imelda
Context: Signifies her evolution from rigidity to acceptance of unity over discord.
I carry you in my heart. You remind me that there’s more to life than just the here and now
Scene: Miguel comforts Mama Coco
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Bridges past and present, emphasizing love’s timelessness.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray
Scene: Mama Coco sings
Speaker: Mamá Coco
Context: Reconnecting with Héctor through song reignites her faded memories.
One cannot deny who one is meant to be
Scene: Ernesto’s philosophy
Speaker: Ernesto de la Cruz
Context: A twisted mantra highlighting ambition’s duality as both inspiration and corruption.
If you must dream, then don’t ever stop
Scene: Miguel’s resolve
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Encourages perseverance while balancing dreams with familial responsibility.
I’m running out of time. It’s Coco
Scene: Héctor’s fading memory
Speaker: Héctor Rivera
Context: Urgency to reconnect before being erased from existence drives the climax.
You’ve got to get home before sunrise or you’ll be stuck here forever
Scene: Land of the Dead rule
Speaker: Head Clerk
Context: Raises stakes, emphasizing the cost of Miguel’s quest for truth.
The real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people
Scene: Miguel’s realization
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Shifts his focus from personal glory to selfless connection.
Sometimes, we might take the wrong path, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find our way back
Scene: Héctor’s reflection
Speaker: Héctor Rivera
Context: Advocates for redemption and the possibility of healing past mistakes.
I know, I’m not supposed to love music. But my great-grandma Coco’s father was the greatest musician…
Scene: Miguel’s confession
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Explores the clash between familial duty and personal identity.
He was just trying to get me home! I didn’t want to listen, but he was right!
Scene: Miguel defends Héctor
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Acknowledges Héctor’s sincerity, deepening their bond and Miguel’s maturity.
I… I can’t forgive you. But I will help you
Scene: Imelda aids Héctor
Speaker: Mamá Imelda
Context: Balances unresolved pain with commitment to family unity.
Until you’re in my arms again, remember me…
Scene: Héctor’s lullaby
Speaker: Héctor Rivera
Context: A father’s heartfelt plea to his daughter, anchoring the story’s emotional core.
A picture from your past has the power to echo in your future
Scene: Abuelita’s lesson
Speaker: Abuelita Elena
Context: Stresses how ancestral legacy shapes identity and choices.
You tell me that it’s red, but I remember it blue. Memories mean more to me than dresses
Scene: Mama Coco’s recollection
Speaker: Mamá Coco
Context: Prioritizes emotional truth over factual accuracy, honoring personal history.
Nothing’s more important than family
Scene: Miguel’s epiphany
Speaker: Miguel Rivera
Context: Culminates his arc, affirming family as the ultimate source of belonging.
We may not see each other, but we are always together
Scene: Final reunion
Speaker: Mamá Coco
Context: Reinforces the enduring connection between the living and the departed.
