Catrina AI video: the Day of the Dead AI filter, done beautifully
One selfie becomes La Catrina: delicate sugar-skull makeup, a marigold crown, black lace and candlelight. 16 copy-ready prompts, in English and Chinese.
Video + image1 selfie9:16
The trend
What is the Catrina AI video trend?
Since mid-October 2026, Instagram Reels have been full of short AI videos in which an ordinary selfie turns into La Catrina: fine sugar-skull face paint, a crown of orange marigolds (cempasúchil, the Day of the Dead flower), a black lace gown and often a wide-brim hat, glowing in candlelight. The Prompt Master reported on 16 October that one reel walking through the workflow passed 4,200 likes within days, and ByteDance's Dreamina app added Day of the Dead templates on 8 October.
The timing explains the boom. Halloween falls on 31 October and Día de Muertos follows on 1 and 2 November, so one elegant look works for both. Unlike gory Halloween filters, the Catrina look is meant to be beautiful: the contrast of white face paint, black fabric and bright orange flowers photographs extremely well.
La Catrina herself goes back to an etching by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada from the early 1910s, a skeleton lady in a fancy hat that mocked people who pretended to be rich. Diego Rivera's 1947 mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central” gave her a full gown and made her a national icon. Her message: death comes to everyone, rich or poor.
Honour the tradition. Día de Muertos is a time when families remember loved ones who have died. Keep your Catrina elegant, not gory or sexualised; don't turn real ofrendas, photos of the dead or religious objects into props; and only use your own face or friends who said yes. Sources: The Prompt Master (16 Oct 2026), MakeViral.
How to
How to make a Catrina AI video for free
Pick one clear selfie
Front-facing, sharp, even light, nothing covering the face. The AI paints the makeup on top of your features, so a blurry or side-on photo gives messy paint.
Make the Catrina still
In Jimeng, Doubao or Gemini, upload the selfie and paste image prompt #1 or #2. Generate three or four and keep the one where the face paint is delicate and symmetrical.
Animate it
Upload that still as the first frame in Kling 4.0, Jimeng, Hailuo, Runway, Pika or Veo and paste a matching video prompt from #9–#16. Keep the camera slow.
Generate 5–10 seconds in 9:16
Short vertical clips keep the face paint stable. Use the negative prompt where the tool has a field for it, and regenerate if the pattern flickers.
Add music and a kind caption
Add soft guitar, strings or a licensed trending sound in CapCut or Instagram, and consider a one-line caption about what Día de Muertos means.
Guide
A respectful guide to Catrina AI videos
What Día de Muertos means
The Day of the Dead, on 1 and 2 November, is not a Mexican Halloween. Families build ofrendas (home altars) with photos of loved ones who have died, their favourite food, candles and orange marigolds, whose colour and scent are said to guide the souls home. It is a warm, often joyful time of remembering, and UNESCO lists the indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead as intangible cultural heritage. La Catrina, the elegant skeleton lady, is a reminder that death treats everyone equally.
Honour, don't mock
The Catrina look works best when it is beautiful. Skip blood, cracked skin and zombie effects, avoid jokes about death, and don't sexualise the costume. Don't use a real family's ofrenda, photos of the dead, crucifixes or saints' images as props or backgrounds, and never put a person who has died into a video without their family's blessing. A one-line caption about what the holiday means is a small, kind touch.
Getting the face paint right
Describe the paint precisely: a smooth white base, soft dark shading around the eyes, fine floral linework, small petals on the chin. Words like “delicate” and “fine linework” keep it elegant rather than mask-like. Create the still image first and only animate the one where the paint is symmetrical; video models copy whatever pattern the first frame has.
Keep motion slow
Fine linework is hard for video models to hold steady. Slow head turns, gentle push-ins and drifting petals look better than spins or fast walking. Clips of 5–10 seconds keep the pattern stable; for longer stories, Kling 4.0's long takes work if you describe each beat clearly. Regenerate if the pattern flickers between frames.
Halloween or Day of the Dead?
Posting on 31 October? Lean into candlelight and night scenes. Posting on 1–2 November? Add marigolds and a caption that remembers someone you miss. The same respectful look works for both.
Prompts
16 copy-ready Catrina AI prompts
#1–#8 are image prompts (upload your selfie first); #9–#16 are image-to-video prompts written for Kling 4.0, Jimeng, Runway, Pika, Hailuo and Veo. Negative prompts are included.
16 of 16 shown
#01
Classic Catrina portrait
Photorealistic portrait of the person in the reference photo transformed into an elegant La Catrina for Día de Muertos, keeping their face shape and features. Delicate sugar-skull face paint: smooth white base, soft black shading around the eyes, fine floral filigree on the cheeks and forehead, tiny painted petals on the chin. Crown of bright orange marigolds (cempasúchil) and deep red roses, high-neck black lace gown. Warm candlelight against a dark background, shallow depth of field, 85mm, serene expression, 3:4.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imageportraitmarigold
中文版 Chinese version
写实肖像:把参考照中的人变成亡灵节里优雅的 La Catrina,保留其脸型和五官。精致的糖骷髅面妆:光滑白色底妆,眼周柔和黑色晕染,脸颊和额头细腻的花卉卷草纹,下巴点缀小花瓣。头戴亮橙色万寿菊(cempasúchil)与深红玫瑰花冠,身穿高领黑色蕾丝长裙。暗色背景中的温暖烛光,浅景深,85mm,神情安详,3:4。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#02
Wide-brim hat & lace gown
Full-length fashion portrait of the person in the reference photo as La Catrina: oversized black wide-brim hat trimmed with marigolds, feathers and lace, long-sleeved black lace Victorian gown with a high collar, lace gloves holding a closed fan. Fine sugar-skull face paint with petal-shaped eye rims. Standing in a dark courtyard lit by candle lanterns, soft violet rim light, editorial photography, 9:16.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imageeditorialhat
中文版 Chinese version
全身时装肖像:参考照中的人化身 La Catrina,头戴装饰万寿菊、羽毛和蕾丝的超大黑色宽檐帽,身穿高领长袖黑色蕾丝维多利亚长裙,戴蕾丝手套,手持合起的折扇。精致糖骷髅面妆,眼眶描成花瓣形。站在烛灯照亮的昏暗庭院中,柔和紫色轮廓光,杂志大片风格,9:16。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#03
El Catrín (men's version)
Photorealistic portrait of the person in the reference photo as El Catrín, the gentleman partner of La Catrina: black three-piece suit, burgundy bow tie, black top hat with a single orange marigold, white gloves on a cane. Clean sugar-skull face paint with fine black linework and a painted moustache flourish. Warm candlelight, dark velvet background, 85mm, confident calm look.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imagemenportrait
中文版 Chinese version
写实肖像:参考照中的人化身 El Catrín(La Catrina 的绅士搭档):黑色三件套西装,酒红色领结,礼帽上别一朵橙色万寿菊,白手套扶着手杖。干净的糖骷髅面妆,黑色细线勾勒,画上卷翘小胡子。温暖烛光,深色丝绒背景,85mm,神情自信从容。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#04
Catrina & Catrín couple
Elegant couple portrait of the two people from the two reference photos as La Catrina and El Catrín, keeping both faces recognisable. She wears a black lace gown and marigold crown, he wears a black suit and top hat; both have matching delicate sugar-skull face paint. Arm in arm under an arch of marigold garlands, warm candlelight, soft bokeh, romantic and respectful, 4:5.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imagecouplemarigold
中文版 Chinese version
优雅情侣照:两张参考照中的两个人分别化身 La Catrina 和 El Catrín,保留两人可辨认的长相。她穿黑色蕾丝长裙、戴万寿菊花冠,他穿黑西装、戴礼帽,两人都画着相配的精致糖骷髅面妆。挽手站在万寿菊花环拱门下,温暖烛光,柔和散景,浪漫而庄重,4:5。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#05
Marigold path at dusk
The person in the reference photo as La Catrina walking along a path strewn with orange marigold petals at blue-hour dusk, rows of small candles on both sides, black lace gown trailing behind, marigold crown. Delicate sugar-skull face paint. Wide cinematic composition, warm golden candlelight against deep blue sky, gentle mist, 35mm, dreamy and peaceful.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imagemarigoldoutdoor
中文版 Chinese version
参考照中的人化身 La Catrina,在蓝调黄昏里沿着铺满橙色万寿菊花瓣的小路行走,两侧排满小蜡烛,黑色蕾丝长裙拖在身后,头戴万寿菊花冠。精致糖骷髅面妆。宽幅电影构图,金色烛光映衬深蓝天空,轻薄雾气,35mm,梦幻宁静。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#06
Candlelit festive backdrop
Half-body portrait of the person in the reference photo as La Catrina in front of a festive backdrop of colourful papel picado banners, marigold garlands and dozens of glowing white candles (decorative only, no personal photos or religious images). Fine sugar-skull face paint, red rose behind one ear, black lace shawl. Warm amber light with subtle teal shadows, 50mm, gentle smile.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imagecandlelightportrait
中文版 Chinese version
半身肖像:参考照中的人化身 La Catrina,背景是彩色剪纸旗(papel picado)、万寿菊花环和几十支发光的白蜡烛(仅作装饰,不出现私人照片或宗教图像)。精致糖骷髅面妆,耳边别一朵红玫瑰,披黑色蕾丝披肩。温暖琥珀色光线配淡青色阴影,50mm,浅浅微笑。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#07
Day of the Dead pet portrait
Gentle illustrated-style portrait of the pet in the reference photo for Día de Muertos: a soft decorative sugar-skull pattern drawn over its fur as digital art (not real paint), a tiny marigold crown, sitting calmly beside glowing candles and marigolds. Keep the pet's breed, fur colour and markings identical. Warm light, cute and respectful, 4:5.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
Stylised illustration of the person in the reference photo as La Catrina in Mexican folk-art style: bold flat colours, black outlines, marigolds, papel picado shapes and swirling vines framing the figure, elegant sugar-skull face paint, wide-brim flowered hat. Rich orange, magenta, teal and black palette, poster-like composition, no text, 3:4.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, cracked or rotting skin, zombie, horror, scary skull mask, extra fingers, distorted face, nudity, revealing clothing, text, watermark, logo
imageillustrationart
中文版 Chinese version
风格化插画:参考照中的人以墨西哥民间艺术风格化身 La Catrina:大胆的平涂色块、黑色描边,万寿菊、剪纸旗图形和卷曲藤蔓环绕人物,优雅的糖骷髅面妆,戴装饰花朵的宽檐帽。橙、品红、青绿和黑色的浓郁配色,海报式构图,无文字,3:4。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、皮肤开裂或腐烂、僵尸、恐怖、吓人的骷髅面具、多余手指、五官变形、裸露、暴露服装、文字、水印、Logo
#09
Kling 4.0: slow candlelit turn
Image-to-video from the Catrina still. The woman in the black lace gown and marigold crown slowly turns her head toward the camera and gives a calm, gentle smile; candle flames flicker softly around her and a few marigold petals drift down. Static camera with a very slow push-in, face paint pattern stays exactly the same, photorealistic, smooth natural motion, 9:16, 10 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
Start on the original selfie, natural makeup, plain background. A swirl of glowing orange marigold petals sweeps across the face from left to right; as it passes, delicate sugar-skull face paint, a marigold crown and a black lace collar appear, and the background turns into a candlelit night. The person blinks and smiles at the camera. Smooth magical transition, face stays the same person, 9:16, 6 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
The Catrina from the still walks slowly in slow motion through a tall archway covered in orange marigolds, lit candles lining the path on both sides, her black gown flowing behind her. Camera tracks backward in front of her at walking pace, warm golden light against darkness, gentle drifting petals, cinematic 24fps look, 9:16, 8 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
The person from the photo stands in everyday clothes and spins once; at the midpoint a burst of marigold petals and soft golden sparks fills the frame, and they land facing the camera fully dressed as La Catrina: black lace gown, wide-brim flowered hat, fine sugar-skull face paint. Playful but elegant, static camera, 9:16, 5 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
videoPikatransformation
中文版 Chinese version
照片中的人穿着日常衣服原地转一圈;转到一半时,万寿菊花瓣和柔和的金色光点炸满画面,落定时已面向镜头、完整变身 La Catrina:黑色蕾丝长裙、装饰花朵的宽檐帽、精致糖骷髅面妆。俏皮又优雅,固定机位,9:16,5 秒。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、头骨裂开、僵尸、突然惊吓、帧间脸部变形、面妆闪烁、手部扭曲、裸露、文字、水印、Logo
#13
Hailuo: hat tip and glance
Close-up of the Catrina from the still. She lifts one lace-gloved hand to touch the brim of her wide flowered hat, lowers her eyes, then looks up into the lens with a soft knowing smile; candlelight shimmers on the lace. Subtle expressive facial motion, face paint stays crisp and unchanged, shallow depth of field, 9:16, 6 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
Cinematic slow dolly-in on the Catrina from the still, seated on a carved wooden chair in a courtyard full of marigolds and candle lanterns at night. She closes her eyes and breathes calmly, a breeze moves the candle flames and her veil. Audio: soft Spanish guitar, distant crickets, gentle wind. Photorealistic, warm amber and deep blue palette, 9:16, 8 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
One continuous 30-second sequence from the Catrina still. 0–10s: wide shot, she walks through a candlelit plaza strung with papel picado as marigold petals fall. 10–20s: the camera arcs around her as she stops and lifts a single marigold to her face. 20–30s: slow push-in to a close-up, she looks into the lens and smiles, candles glowing behind. Same face and face paint in every shot, smooth camera, photorealistic, 9:16.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
Image-to-video from the couple still: La Catrina in a black lace gown and El Catrín in a suit and top hat dance a slow, graceful waltz in a courtyard lit by candle lanterns and marigold garlands; her skirt swirls, he spins her once and they both smile at the camera. Medium-wide shot, gentle orbiting camera, faces and face paint stay consistent, 9:16, 8 seconds.
Negative prompt: gore, blood, skull cracking open, zombie, jump scare, face morphing between frames, flickering face paint, distorted hands, nudity, text, watermark, logo
videoJimengcouple
中文版 Chinese version
以情侣静图为首帧图生视频:身穿黑色蕾丝长裙的 La Catrina 和穿西装戴礼帽的 El Catrín 在烛灯与万寿菊花环点缀的庭院里跳一段缓慢优雅的华尔兹;她的裙摆旋开,他带她转一圈,两人一起对镜头微笑。中远景,镜头缓慢环绕,脸和面妆保持一致,9:16,8 秒。
反向提示词:血腥、血迹、头骨裂开、僵尸、突然惊吓、帧间脸部变形、面妆闪烁、手部扭曲、裸露、文字、水印、Logo
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Tools
Free tools that work well
Plain links for now. drawcue is independent and not affiliated with these tools.
A short AI clip that turns your photo into La Catrina, the elegant skeleton lady of Mexico's Day of the Dead: sugar-skull face paint, a marigold crown, a black gown and candlelight. It is trending on Instagram for Halloween and Día de Muertos 2026.
Is there a free Day of the Dead AI filter?
Yes. Kling, Jimeng, Hailuo, Runway and Pika all offer free daily or starter credits at the time of writing, and CapCut has free Catrina templates. Limits and watermarks vary by tool.
Is it disrespectful to do Catrina makeup with AI?
Not if you treat it with care. Día de Muertos honours loved ones who have died. Keep the look elegant, skip gore and jokes about death, don't use real ofrendas, photos of the dead or religious objects as props, and a respectful caption goes a long way.
Why does the sugar skull AI makeup look messy?
Usually the reference photo is blurry, dark or side-on. Use a sharp front-facing selfie, describe the paint as “delicate fine linework”, and make the still first so the video model only has to animate it.
Can men do it too?
Yes. The male counterpart is El Catrín, in a suit, bow tie and top hat. Prompt #3 is a Catrín portrait and #4 and #16 are couple versions.
Can I use someone else's photo?
Only with their permission. Putting another person's face in a transformation video without consent breaks most platforms' rules. Never use photos of real people who have died without their family's blessing.