The story of how Day of the Dead became a global phenomenon actually lies with two recent movies.
In the opening scene of 2015’s “Spectre”, James Bond is seen chasing a villain through a crowded Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City’s Historic Center, which features enormous skulls and people adorned in colorful makeup.
The parade, which had never actually taken place, has now become a tradition in Mexico City, attracting thousands of visitors every year, with both foreigners and Mexicans alike coming to admire the festivities.
When Disney released “Coco” in 2017, the hype for the holiday and the practice of face painting grew even more.
In Mexico, children started attending Day of the Dead parades at school with their faces painted, while adults would wear skull makeup to parties.