Back to the Playa del Carmen

Back to the Playa del Carmen (Spanish: De regreso a Playa del Carmen) is an upcoming Mexican-American computer-animated musical comedy film written, produced and directed by Zack Isaac, who co-wrote the screenplay with Isaac and Elliott DiGuiseppi. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and the Mexican co-produced by Little Witch Pictures, the film features the voices of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anthony Ramos, and Demi Lovato. It was set to be released in limited theaters on December 25, 2025, by Universal Pictures

Premise
This animated musical comedy follows the hermit crabs who live under the boardwalk at Playa del Carmen. When between their friends and families rise. But when a storm casts the duo far from home, their love will lead them on an epic adventure which unites the divided community.

—DreamWorks Animation and Little Witch Pictures

Voice cast

 * Demi Lovato as Sofía
 * Anthony Ramos as Matías
 * Lin-Manuel Miranda as Roberto
 * Michael Peña as Mario
 * Eugenio Derbez as Danny
 * Zack Isaac as Agustín
 * Omar Chaparro as Félix
 * Sofía Vergara as Paulina
 * Salma Hayek as Conchita
 * Harvey Guillén as Amado
 * Benjamin Bratt as Señor Vagabundo

Production
In October 2023, a film titled Cangrejos en la Playa was announced as part of DreamWorks Animation's upcoming slate, with Zack Isaac writing, producing and directing the screenplay and Elliott DiGuiseppi, Mark Swift and Kelly Cooney Cilella producing. It was reported that Isaac was hired to direct the film, which was retitled Back to the Playa del Carmen. Amblin Partners' Mexican co-financed the film. The film was animated by DreamWorks Animation in Glendale, California, USA.

Release
Back to the Playa del Carmen is set to be released in limited theaters on December 25, 2025 by Universal Pictures. It was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on November 17-December 15. 2023, it was removed from the DreamWorks Animation release schedule with Trolls Band Together and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget taking the date.