Forget the usual Halloween pumpkins and ghosts because McDonald’s is bringing some of Disney’s most infamous villains to the Happy Meal table.
If you grew up collecting McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets, this year’s announcement might send you straight down memory lane. The familiar seasonal containers are returning with a wicked twist, featuring characters who have spent decades making life difficult for Disney’s heroes.
Starting October 20, 2026, participating McDonald’s restaurants in the United States will offer five collectible Boo Buckets inspired by Disney villains. Each design comes with a character-themed lid and stickers, giving families and collectors another reason to look forward to Halloween. The buckets will be available for a limited time, while supplies last, according to coverage of McDonald’s Boo Bucket announcement.
This year’s collection is especially interesting for its mix of childhood nostalgia, recognizable characters, and a Halloween tradition that has survived several decades.
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Five Disney Villains Are Getting Their Own Boo Buckets
Choosing a favorite might be harder than deciding what to order with your Happy Meal.
This year’s collection features five characters from some of Disney’s most recognizable animated stories.
- Jafar: The scheming villain from Aladdin gets a red bucket inspired by his distinctive look.
- Ursula: The sea witch from The Little Mermaid brings her unmistakable personality to a purple design.
- Scar: The ambitious lion from The Lion King appears on an orange bucket.
- Cruella de Vil: The fashion-obsessed villain from One Hundred and One Dalmatians features on a white design.
- Maleficent: The formidable villain from Sleeping Beauty completes the collection with a green bucket.
Each bucket includes a villain-inspired lid and a sheet of stickers featuring details connected to the character’s movie. The shared yellow handle, complete with the Golden Arches, ties the designs together.
According to ABC News’ look at the 2026 Boo Buckets, the containers will replace the standard Happy Meal boxes at participating locations during the promotion.
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A Halloween Tradition That Started in 1986
These little containers have been making Halloween more memorable for generations.
McDonald’s introduced its original Boo Buckets in 1986, beginning a seasonal tradition that gave children a reusable container alongside their meals. Early designs featured pumpkin-inspired pails, which later expanded to include ghosts, monsters, and other Halloween characters.
The promotion later disappeared for several years after 2016, leaving longtime fans wondering whether the collectible containers would ever return. McDonald’s brought them back in 2022 following years of customer demand, and the Boo Buckets have since become a familiar part of its Halloween promotions.
Over the years, the designs have changed to reflect different characters and seasonal themes. That variety is part of the appeal: someone who collected a pumpkin bucket as a child can now discover a new design with their own children.
For collectors, the newest release offers another opportunity to add a fresh design to an existing collection. For younger customers, it introduces a playful Halloween accessory that can be used long after the meal is finished.
More Than Just a Happy Meal Container
The real fun begins when the food is gone, and the bucket gets a second life.
Unlike ordinary disposable packaging, Boo Buckets are designed to be kept and reused. Children can carry them while trick-or-treating, fill them with Halloween sweets, or use them to store small toys and other treasures.
The character designs also appeal to Disney fans who enjoy themed merchandise. Someone who loves Ursula might want the purple bucket, while a longtime Lion King fan might eye Scar.
That second use is an important part of the attraction. A Happy Meal provides the immediate treat, but the bucket offers something tangible to keep.
The stickers add another playful detail, letting children interact with the design instead of just taking home a container. Each sheet is tailored to its featured movie, giving fans a reason to examine the details.
How to Get the 2026 Boo Buckets
If you want a particular villain, waiting until the last minute might not be the best strategy.
The Disney Villains Boo Buckets are scheduled to arrive at participating US McDonald’s restaurants on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. They will be offered for a limited time while supplies last.
Customers can order a Happy Meal with a hamburger or four- or six-piece Chicken McNuggets, depending on the available menu. The meal also includes standard sides and a drink, with the themed bucket replacing the usual Happy Meal box.
Prices may vary by restaurant, so check the McDonald’s app or ask your local location about availability and cost before making a special trip.
Because the promotion is limited, availability may differ between restaurants. If you want to collect all five designs, check which buckets are available instead of assuming every location will have the complete set. You can also follow the latest details through WDRB’s report on the return of the Boo Buckets.
The Halloween Fun Doesn’t Have to End at the Drive-Thru
A little creativity can turn a fast-food collectible into part of your family’s Halloween tradition.
Once you have your bucket, you can use it for trick-or-treating, decorate it with the included stickers, or turn it into a small Halloween storage container. Families who collect different designs can even use them to organize candy or hold party favors.
If you are planning a Halloween gathering, themed buckets could also make playful decorations for a snack table. Fill them with individually wrapped sweets or use them to hold small party supplies.
The Bottom Line
McDonald’s is giving a familiar Halloween favorite a villainous makeover, and fans can choose from five designs.
The 2026 Boo Buckets combine a collectible tradition dating back to 1986 with characters from some of Disney’s most recognizable movies. With themed lids, movie-inspired stickers, and containers that can be reused after the meal, the promotion offers something for nostalgic adults and younger Disney fans alike.
The collection launches at participating US locations on October 20 and will remain available for a limited time while supplies last. Whether you want one favorite character or hope to collect the entire set, check local availability early.
After all, Halloween is about more than costumes and candy. Sometimes, a small collectible is enough to bring back a favorite childhood memory.
Now tell us: which Disney villain would you choose for your Boo Bucket: Maleficent, Ursula, Scar, Cruella de Vil, or Jafar?
