Pixar’s Coco (2017) is a masterpiece. I don’t say that lightly—every time I watch it, I fall more in love with its heartwarming story, stunning visuals, and, of course, that unforgettable soundtrack. I can't listen to Miguel sing Remember Me to Coco at the end without balling my eyes out.
But as an art historian, what makes me geek out is how the animators drew inspiration from real-world Mesoamerican art and architecture—including the ancient city of Teotihuacan.
If you’ve ever wondered why the Land of the Dead looks fantastical yet ancient, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into how Teotihuacan’s awesome architecture helped shape the world of Coco.
What Is Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan is an ancient city located near modern-day Mexico City. Founded more than 2,000 years ago, it was once one of the largest cities in the world, with massive pyramids, sprawling plazas, and a grand avenue now known today as the Street of the Dead (or Avenue of the Dead). At its peak, it is estimated that the population of this impressive city was about 250,000 people. The city was very intentionally planned, and its buildings are covered in mural paintings.
The city’s architecture features a distinctive style known as talud-tablero, a design where sloping walls (the talud) are paired with vertical panels (the tablero). This combination creates a striking profile that is instantly recognizable to anyone who has visited the site. It is the architectural profile of the ancient city, so much so that we know where Teotihuacanos spread their influence because the talud-tablero style appears in far-off regions.
And guess what? That same architectural profile appears in Coco, forming the platforms and buildings of the Land of the Dead.
Why Did Disney Borrow from Teotihuacan?
Disney’s animators didn’t just include Mesoamerican architecture for aesthetic flair or because it's a famous archaeological site in Mexico and the movie takes place in Mexico—there are deeper reasons behind their choice.
Here’s why I think Teotihuacan’s influence plays such an important role:
Conveying Age and Timelessness: The Land of the Dead is portrayed as an ancient, otherworldly realm that has existed for centuries if not millennia. By incorporating architectural styles from Teotihuacan, Disney cleverly signals the age and grandeur of this world. After all, what better way to show that a place has been around forever than by borrowing from one of the oldest and most iconic cities in Mesoamerican history?
The Street of the Dead Connection: Teotihuacan’s main thoroughfare, known today as the Street of the Dead, seems like a natural influence for Coco’s world of departed souls. While the name Street of the Dead was given by the Mexica (Aztecs) centuries after Teotihuacan was abandoned, the imagery of an avenue lined with ancient monuments and tombs perfectly fits Coco’s vision of the afterlife. The animators seem to have drawn a direct parallel between the two, creating a Land of the Dead that feels deeply rooted in Mexican history and culture.
A Fun Fact about the Street of the Dead
What makes Teotihuacan even more fascinating is that its famous Street of the Dead didn’t get its name from its original inhabitants. The Aztecs, who arrived in the region long after Teotihuacan was abandoned and never met the people who lived there, apparently saw mummy bundles lining the avenue and assumed it functioned in part as a burial site. This explains the eerie yet evocative name.
While the original meaning of the avenue is lost to history, the name stuck, and it now serves as a poignant inspiration for Coco’s Land of the Dead, where souls make their way through a vibrant, layered world.
The Magic of Mixing History and Fantasy
Coco is so magical because it blends real-world traditions and history with fantasy. By borrowing architectural elements from Teotihuacan, Disney honors Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and creates a world that feels grounded and believable. Every arch, every slope, and every towering platform in the Land of the Dead connects to real ancient civilizations that once thrived in central Mexico. Well, actually, they connect to more than ancient Mesoamerican cultures—they also connect to Spanish colonial, 19th-century, and early 20th-century architecture too!
Coco and Teotihuacan
The next time you watch Coco (and inevitably cry during “Remember Me” because if you don't, who are you?!), take a moment to appreciate the incredible detail that went into designing its world. From talud-tablero profiles to the colorful layers of the afterlife, elements of Land of the Dead are a stunning tribute to the beauty of Mesoamerican art and architecture. Coco and Teotihuacan make an excellent pairing!
Stay tuned for other Mesoamerican architecture that appears in the Land of the Dead and more about Coco's connections to Día de Muertos, Art Deco buildings, and alebrijes.
CITE THIS PAGE: Kilroy-Ewbank, Dr. Lauren. "Coco and Teotihuacan: How Ancient Mesoamerican Architecture Brought the Land of the Dead to Life." lkilroyewbank.com <Insert date you accessed> https://www.lkilroyewbank.com/post/coco-and-teotihuacan-how-ancient-mesoamerican-architecture-brought-the-land-of-the-dead-to-life.
Learn more
Want to understand more about talud-tablero architecture with this video I made over at ARTSQ.
Read about how Dante in Coco relates to an important Aztec god.
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