[music]

I have to sing.

I have to play.

The music, it's... it's not just in me, it is me.

[bark]

When life gets me down, I play my guitar.

The rest of the world may follow the rules, but I must follow my heart.

[gag]

You know that feeling...like there's a song in the air and it's playing just for you?

[guitar rip]

[mimic guitar rip]

♪ Being so close you can reach out and touch it ♪

♪ I never knew I could want something so much ♪

♪ But it's true ♪

Never underestimate the power of music.

No one was going to hand me my future.

It was up to me to reach for my dream.

Grab it tight...

-and make it come true. -and make it come true.

[music]

All right, who's in there?

I'm sorry.

[gasp] What's going on?

I'm just dreaming.

[screams]

[music]

[barking] Dante, wait up.

Dante! Dante!

You got to stay with me, boy.

[sneeze]

You don't know... where we...are.

This isn't a dream, then.

You are really out there.

[gasp] [bark]

[sigh] Oh, it's you.

You're going to get me in trouble, Dante.

Someone can hear me.

I wish someone wanted to hear me...

[music]

...other than you.

[moan]

[laughs] Okay.

[music]

I know I'm not supposed to love music.

No music!

No music!

[sigh]

But my great-grandmama Coco's father was the greatest musician of all time.

Papa?

Ernesto de la Cruz.

One day, he left with his guitar and never returned.

Now my family thinks music is a curse.

Great, great-grandfather, none of them understand me.

I'm supposed to play music.

All right, who's in there?

I'm sorry.

[gasp] What's going on?

I'm just dreaming.

[screams]

Do you mind?

[scream]

Welcome to the Land of the Dead.

Dante, wait up.

You got to stay with me, boy.

[sneeze]

This isn't a dream, then.

You are really out there.

Agents at the Department of Family Reunions are available to assist you.

Please be on the lookout for a living boy.

Miguel, you're here.

We're your family, mijo.

[groan]

[groan]

[bark]

I know your great, great-grandpa.

Whoa.

I'll get you to him.

What are you doing?

I'm walking like a skeleton.

No, skeletons don't walk like that.

It's how you walk.

No, I don't.

When there's no one left in the living world who remembers you,

you disappear from this world.

But you can change that.

We got to find my great, great-grandpa.

You got to do it by sunrise.

What happens at sunrise?

You'll be stuck here forever.

Wha-- what?

Ew.

[music]

I'm a big fan.

[music]

[roar]

[gasp]

[laughs]

Never forget how much your family loves you.

[music]

It's almost sunrise.

[roar]

One cannot deny who one is meant to be.

[screams]

[music]

[sneeze]

I am terribly allergic.

But Dante doesn't have any hair.

And I don't have a nose and yet, here we are.

[sneeze]

[music]

Abuelita runs the house just like Mama Imelda did.

[music from soda bottle]

No music!

[music playing from car]

No music!

[singing]

No music!

I think we're the only family in Mexico who hates music.

And my family's fine with that.

But me...

We got the lunch, mijo.

Love you, mama.

... I'm not like the rest of my family.

Hola, Miguel.

Hola.

[music]

Muchas gracias.

De nada, Miguel.

[music]

[bang] [groan]

[giggle] Dante!

[groan] [barking]

Stand.

Down.

Roll over.

Shake.

Fist bump.

Good boy, Dante.

Mira, mira, they're setting up for tonight,

the music competition for Dia de Muertos.

You want to be like your hero?

You should sign up.

Uh-un, my family would freak.

Look, if you're too scared then well, have fun making shoes.

Come on, what did de la Cruz always say?

Seize your moment.

Show me what you got, muchacho.

I'll be your first audience.

Miguel!

[gasp] [groan]

[music]

Abuelita?

What are you doing here?

Um, uh.

You leave my grandson alone!

Doña, please.

I was just getting a shine.

I know your tricks, mariachi.

What did he say to you?

He was just showing me his guitar.

[gasp]

Shame on you.

My grandson is a sweet, little [speaking Spanish].

He wants no part of your music, mariachi.

You keep away from him.

[groan]

[music]

[whistle] Come on, Dante.

Dante?

[garbage cans banging]

[groan]

[bang]

[music]

[groan]

[music]

[groan]

[squeal]

[music]

[bang] [groan]

[music] [barking]

[grunts]

[screams]

[music] [barking]

[grunts]

[music] [barking]

[music]

[groan]

[groan]

[music]

[groan] [growling]

[groaning]

[loud groan]

[groan]

[music]

[screams]

[music]

[groans]

[music]

[groan]

[panting]

[music]

[sniffing]

[groan]

[music]

[groan]

[music]

[barking]

[singing]

[music]

[barking]

Dante!

Dante!

Dante, wait up.

You got to stay with me, boy.

[sneeze]

You don't know... where...

[music]

This isn't a dream, then.

You are really out there.

You thought we weren't?

Well, I don't know.

I thought it might've been

one of those made-up things that adults tell kids,

like vitamins.

Miguel, vitamins are a real thing.

Well, I'm thinking maybe they could be.

[drum roll]

[cheering]

Bienvenidos a todos!

Ow! [laughing]

Who's ready for some musica?

[cheering]

It's a battle of the bands, amigos.

The winner gets to play for the maestro himself, Ernesto de la Cruz,

at his fiesta tonight.

[cheering]

So I'm thinking, muchacho--

[screaming]

Let the competition begin.

[cheering]

[tuba music]

[saxophone music]

[rock music]

[xylophone music]

[electronic music]

[dogs singing]

[accordion music]