James Bond's THIS movie inspired 'Day of the Dead' festival in Mexico

Around 1.5 million people gathered in Mexico City on Saturday during a grand parade for the Day of the Dead, according to the city officials.

Known in Spanish as "Dia de los Muertos," the Day of the Dead is one of Mexico's most important annual festivities and a huge international attraction. It's worth noting, however, that Mexico City only launched the annual parade in 2016, after taking inspiration from the 2015 James Bond movie, "Spectre." In the opening of that film, the British agent is wearing a skeleton costume while walking with a beautiful woman though a large crowd celebrating Dia de los Muertos — before abandoning her in a hotel room to stalk his target on the rooftops. 

The opening scene of Spectre (2015) glides through Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade in one seamless shot, instantly pulling you into Bond’s world with style and tension.
pic.twitter.com/LHbhmoYD5X https://t.co/vFqMci2LQA

— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) August 6, 2025

The festivities begin on October 31, when families welcome the spirits of deceased children.

The Catrinas Parade in Mexico City.

AFP’s Rodrigo Oropeza photographs celebrations surrounding the traditional festival of The Day of the Dead, which in 2003 was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, centers around the belief that the living and the dead can… pic.twitter.com/kdEjg1aDev

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 27, 2025

It continues on November 1 with sweets and toys for the young souls believed to return to earth to visit their families.

The parade in Mexico's capital on Saturday serves as the heart of the festivities, bringing together diverse cultural traditions from the nation of over 130 million people.

The celebration concludes on November 2 with offerings of favorite foods and drinks for the adults being honored.