McDonald's Boo Buckets return with Disney villains for Halloween
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- McDonald's Boo Buckets return on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, for a limited time.
- This year has five buckets, each themed to a famous Disney villain.
- Each bucket replaces the usual Happy Meal box and comes with stickers.
McDonald's is bringing back its Boo Buckets for Halloween. This year, the buckets star five Disney villains. They go on sale Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The buckets will be on sale for a limited time. They will last only while stocks last. You get one with a Happy Meal.
What happened
McDonald's shared the news this week. The new Boo Buckets carry Disney villain designs. It is the first time the buckets have a Disney theme.
There are five buckets to collect. Each one shows a different villain. The five villains are Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Scar, Maleficent, and Jafar.
Ursula is the sea witch from The Little Mermaid. Cruella de Vil is the fur-obsessed villain from 101 Dalmatians. Scar is the scheming lion from The Lion King.
Maleficent is the horned villain from Sleeping Beauty. Jafar is the royal vizier from Aladdin.
Each bucket comes with a sheet of stickers. The stickers show small details that true fans will spot. McDonald's says each pail also has a lid that matches its villain.
The lid design fits the face on the bucket.
The bucket replaces the normal Happy Meal box. You do not get a paper box with this meal. You get a plastic pail instead.
Many fans keep the pail after the meal. Some use it to hold candy on Halloween night.
How to get one
Order a Boo Bucket Happy Meal at a McDonald's near you. You can order in the restaurant. You can also order through the McDonald's app.
You can pick your main dish. The choices are a hamburger or Chicken McNuggets. You can add cheese to the hamburger.
The nuggets come in two sizes: four pieces or six pieces.
Every meal also has a drink. It also has apple slices and french fries. The food is the same as a normal Happy Meal.
Only the box is different.
The price is not the same in every town. Each restaurant sets its own price. Prices may change based on where you live.
McDonald's says the buckets are on sale at most sites. But not every site may take part. Ask your local site if you are unsure.
The buckets are on sale only while stocks last. Past years show that popular designs run out fast. If you want a set, go early in the week.
Do not wait until Halloween night.
Why it matters
Boo Buckets are a Halloween tradition for McDonald's. The first Boo Buckets came out in 1986. That makes this year the 40th year of the buckets.
Many adults grew up with them as kids.
The first buckets were simple. They were three orange pails with scary faces. Over the years, the designs changed a lot.
Past buckets showed monsters like a mummy and a vampire. A decade ago, there were Peanuts-themed buckets.
McDonald's stopped selling Boo Buckets for some years. Fans asked for them back. In 2022, the buckets came back after more than six years away.
They have come back each year since then.
Last year, the buckets had five designs too. The set was Ghost, Pumpkin, and Goblin, plus a Cat and a Zombie. This year swaps those classic shapes for Disney villains.
It is a big change for collectors.
The Disney link matters for another reason. Disney villains have huge fan groups. People collect villain toys, clothes, and art.
A villain bucket fits that hobby well. It gives fans a cheap item to add to a set. Some kids line up their toys in a row at home.
A set of five buckets fits that habit well.
The buckets also fit a wider trend. Fast food chains now lean hard into Halloween. Burger King, Dairy Queen, and Jack in the Box all ran spooky menus this year.
McDonald's is joining that race with its most famous Halloween item.
For parents, the bucket has a clear use. It can hold candy on trick-or-treat night. It is sturdier than a paper bag.
It also works as a toy box after Halloween. The Disney Food Blog notes that some fans reuse old buckets as plant pots. That gives the pail a second life at home.
What happens next
The buckets launch on Tuesday, October 20. Expect long lines at some sites on day one. Collectors will try to grab all five designs.
Social media posts will show which designs each site has in stock.
McDonald's has not said when the buckets will end. The sale runs while stocks last. In past years, some sites ran out in days.
Others kept stock for a week or more. Your best bet is to check early.
If you miss out, you still have options. Many fans trade or sell spare buckets online. Prices for rare designs can climb fast.
But be careful with resale prices. A bucket is a Happy Meal item, not a rare jewel.
Families can also bake Halloween cookies at home while they wait. It is a cheap way to get into the spooky mood. A night of baking beats a night of waiting in line.
Watch McDonald's social media pages too. The chain may share new photos of the buckets. It may also share news if stocks run low.
Keep an eye on your local site for the best updates.
What to know before you go
Bring the app if you want to order fast. The app lets you pick your meal in advance. It can save time on a busy launch day.
Check the bucket before you leave the counter. Make sure you got the design you wanted. If the site is out of one design, ask what is left.
Staff may not be able to swap designs later.
Keep your receipt if you plan to collect. It helps to prove what you bought. It also helps if you need to ask about a missing item.
One last tip: the stickers are part of the fun. Kids can decorate their own bucket. Let them place the stickers where they like.
A bucket with your own design feels more special.
McDonald's Boo Buckets turn 40 this year. This time, five villains lead the party. If you want one, mark October 20 on your calendar.
Go early, pick your design, and enjoy the meal.
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