Catholic Family Movie Night: Coco

Do you feel that? The coolness of fall right around the corner? While September is technically the beginning of fall, I always consider October to be THE fall month. As many families choose to participate or sit out the festivities of Halloween, I wanted to put a spotlight on a very Catholic tradition of remembering the dead or Memento Mori. Halloween comes from the night before All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation and widely celebrated!

For October's Catholic family movie night, we will watch Coco which is a movie that really illustrates the importance of remembering the dead and does touch on Catholic Themes.

Before You Watch

• Consider setting out snacks with a fall theme: popcorn with cinnamon sugar, pumpkin muffins, or hot cocoa.

• If you have family photos of deceased loved ones, you could place them on the coffee table as a gentle reminder of those we love and remember.

• I think lighting a candle or two and dimming the lights always sets the mood, too!

The Catholic Connection

First explain to your kids that you want to show them a movie that isn't made to be Catholic, but that you want to show them the truth of our faith can be found in sometimes unexpected places. Today you want to show them a movie called Coco that helps us to remember that death is not the end, and that all of loved ones who have died are headed to heaven.

Here are some Catholic themes we can take from this movie.

1. The Communion of Saints

• Coco shows that the dead are not “gone forever,” but remain connected to the living.

• In Catholic teaching, the Communion of Saints means that those in heaven, purgatory, and on earth are united in Christ. Like Miguel remembering his ancestors, Catholics “remember” the saints and pray for the faithful departed.

• Consider asking everyone who their favorite saint is and ask for their prayers this week.

  
  

2. The Importance of Remembrance & Praying for the Dead

• The ofrenda (altar) with pictures mirrors Catholic practices like All Souls’ Day and visiting cemeteries in November.

• Catholics pray for the dead, especially in November, to help them on their journey to heaven. Remembering the dead keeps their memory alive and expresses love beyond death.

• Consider planning a trip to the cemetery and lay flowers on the grave of a loved on in November and/or tell a story of a loved one you have lost and why you loved him/her, then everyone say a prayer for the souls in purgatory.

  
  

3. Family, Tradition, and Roots

• The movie shows the value of honoring and learning from one’s family history.

• Family is the building block of our Catholic church. The “domestic church,” is where faith, stories, and traditions are handed on.

• What are some traditions your family always does? Ask the kids to share their favorite tradition and why.

  
  

4. The Power of Music and Beauty

• Miguel’s gift of music draws people together and helps heal broken relationships.

• Catholic theology teaches that beauty (like music) reflects God and can lift our hearts toward the divine. Anything that is good, true, or beautiful will lead others toward God.

• Consider asking everyone: "Do you have a special gift or talent that brings goodness, truth or beauty into the world? What is it?"

  
  

5. Eternal Destiny & Hope Beyond Death

• The story insists there is life after death, a truth Catholics hold firmly.

• While Coco presents it in a cultural way, you can use it as a springboard to talk about heaven and the hope we have in Christ’s resurrection.

• Consider this time to tell your children that heaven is where your family desires to go after death. Everything your family does should be seen through the lens of heaven.

  
  

We pray this blog blesses your family and helps you to remember the sacredness of the upcoming Halloween/All Saints celebration!