McDonald’s has officially launched its highly anticipated 2026 Halloween Boo Buckets, featuring a brand-new collaboration with Disney to highlight some of the company’s most iconic animated antagonists. Beginning October 20, 2026, participating restaurants across the United States replaced traditional Happy Meal cardboard boxes with colorful, collectible plastic pails designed around five legendary Disney villains.
The limited-time promotion introduces five distinct bucket colors, each representing a specific character from classic animated films. According to McDonald’s, the lineup includes a red bucket for Jafar from Aladdin, a purple bucket for Ursula from The Little Mermaid, an orange bucket for Scar from The Lion King, a white bucket for Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, and a green bucket for Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Each container comes equipped with a character-inspired decorative lid and a sheet of themed stickers featuring recognizable details from the movies.
What Comes in the Disney Villains Happy Meal?
Customers ordering the themed Happy Meal can choose from standard menu items. The meal includes a hamburger-with an optional cheese addition-or a four-piece or six-piece order of Chicken McNuggets. True to standard McDonald’s kids’ meals, every order is paired with a drink, apple slices, and French fries designed to fit inside the collectible container. Final pricing varies depending on restaurant location and local franchise adjustments.
Fan Reactions and Nostalgia
While the collaboration marks a major milestone for the Chicago-based chain as it celebrates decades of seasonal buckets, the design departure has drawn mixed reviews from longtime collectors and parents. Social media platforms like Instagram quickly filled with commentary from fans questioning the seasonal aesthetic. Many die-hard supporters expressed disappointment over the modern color palette and the lack of traditional jack-o’-lantern motifs found in classic releases like the original 1980s McPunk’n, McBoo, and McGoblin buckets.
“I look forward to these every year, but honestly this year I’ll pass. Nothing remotely Halloween about these,” one customer wrote on social media, echoing widespread sentiment among fans requesting traditional designs.
Additionally, some consumers raised concerns regarding the structural design of the pails, noting that modern iterations utilize flat sheet toppers or handles rather than the deep, secure lids featured in historical releases. Despite customer critiques across social media, the collectible pails remain available while supplies last at participating locations nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Boo Buckets
When were the Disney Villains Boo Buckets released?
The Disney Villains Boo Buckets officially launched at participating McDonald’s locations across the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which characters are featured in the 2026 collection?
The 2026 collection features five villains: Jafar (Aladdin), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Scar (The Lion King), Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty).
Do the buckets come with stickers?
Yes, each Boo Bucket includes a character-inspired sheet of decorative stickers featuring iconic details from the respective animated films.
What food options are included with the Boo Bucket Happy Meal?
The meal includes a choice of a hamburger (with optional cheese) or four- to six-piece Chicken McNuggets, accompanied by French fries, apple slices, and a drink.
How long will the Boo Buckets be available at McDonald’s?
The collectible pails are available for a limited time only while supplies last at participating restaurants.
