In Pixar’s Coco, what does Miguel dream of becoming?

Miguel dreams of becoming a musician in Pixar’s Coco.

He admires Ernesto de la Cruz and studies the singer’s performances in secret. Miguel wants to play guitar and perform for an audience, but his family forbids music because they believe it caused their ancestor to abandon the family.

This ambition drives the film’s central conflict. Miguel’s desire is not simply a hobby: he sees music as part of his identity and feels that it connects him to the mysterious musician in his family history.

The story eventually shows Miguel that pursuing music does not require rejecting his family. He learns the truth about Héctor, Ernesto, and his great-grandmother Coco, then uses music to restore a lost family connection. His dream is therefore best stated as becoming a musician, rather than specifically becoming a singer or guitarist.