McDonald’s is bringing back its seasonal Halloween tradition with a wicked twist. The chain is introducing five Disney villain-themed Boo Buckets at participating U.S. restaurants starting on October 20, 2026. Customers can receive these limited-edition collectible containers with a Happy Meal purchase while supplies last, according to announcements reported by USA Today, the Orange County Register, Delish, and WRIC.
The 2026 collection shifts away from classic Halloween monsters and pumpkins. Instead, it highlights some of Disney’s most notorious animated antagonists. The lineup features Scar from The Lion King, Cruella de Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Jafar from Aladdin, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.
Character Designs and Colorways
Each bucket in the new collection is color-coded to match its respective character. It also comes with a character-themed lid and a matching sticker sheet. The distinct design details include:
- Jafar: Red bucket base, inspired by Aladdin
- Cruella de Vil: White bucket base, inspired by 101 Dalmatians
- Ursula: Purple bucket base, inspired by The Little Mermaid
- Scar: Orange bucket base, inspired by The Lion King
- Maleficent: Green bucket base, inspired by Sleeping Beauty
McDonald’s noted that a shared yellow handle unites the collection across all five colorways. The included sticker sheets feature iconography and details intended to appeal to fans familiar with the characters and their respective films.
How to Get a 2026 Boo Bucket
The Disney Villains Boo Buckets replace the traditional Happy Meal box at participating U.S. locations starting Tuesday, October 20, 2026. When ordering a Boo Bucket meal either in-store, at the drive-thru, or through the McDonald’s app, customers can choose from several entrées. Options include a hamburger, cheeseburger, or 4-piece or 6-piece Chicken McNuggets meals, served alongside french fries, apple slices, and a drink.
Pricing for the Boo Bucket meals is determined by individual franchise locations and may vary by region. Because the containers are available for a limited time and while supplies last, McDonald’s has not announced an official end date for the promotion. Availability of specific character designs may depend on local stock.
History of the Boo Bucket Tradition
First introduced in 1986, McDonald’s Boo Buckets have established a multi-decade legacy as a fixture of the fast-food chain’s autumn marketing. The original release featured a trio of orange pails with simple scary expressions. Over the years, the holiday pails have undergone numerous redesigns. They have incorporated classic monsters like vampires, mummies, skeletons, and witches, as well as pop-culture crossovers such as Peanuts-themed buckets a decade ago.
The 2026 release marks a rare direct dive into animated film villains for the classic pails. This gives parents who grew up collecting the original 1980s and 1990s pails a new generation of memorabilia to share with children and collectors alike.
