The new McDonald’s Boo Buckets for Halloween 2026 are decorated with five Disney villains: Jafar, Ursula, Scar, Cruella and Maleficent. Each bucket has a villain themed lid and a sheet of stickers for decorating it. You can get one with a Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s restaurants starting October 20, for a limited time while supplies last.
That date is today, which means the buckets are either already in restaurants near you or about to be. If you have kids who love Halloween, or you simply remember the thrill of finding out which bucket you got, it helps to know what is on offer before you make the trip.
Meet the Five Disney Villains on This Year’s Buckets
This lineup is built around some of the most recognisable bad guys in animation. Here is who appears and where each one comes from:
- Jafar, from “Aladdin”
- Ursula, from “The Little Mermaid”
- Scar, from “The Lion King”
- Cruella, from “One Hundred and One Dalmatians”
- Maleficent, from “Sleeping Beauty”
Check out Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal
Each collectible bucket carries an illustration of its character. The buckets come in a wide range of colours, but they all share the same yellow handle with the chain’s Golden Arches, so they still look like part of one family.
Which villain would you reach for first? It is a surprisingly hard choice when the list includes a sea witch and a lion who wants the throne.
What Comes With Each Bucket
Every bucket includes stickers, and this is where McDonald’s has put some extra thought. Each character’s sticker sheet is unique to their own movie. McDonald’s says the sheets include details that “true fans will recognize.” In other words, the stickers are meant as a small reward for anyone who knows the films well, not just decoration.
That also means the bucket is something to customise rather than simply carry candy in. A child, or an adult collector, can decide how to dress up the villain’s bucket.
Why This Release Stands Out From Earlier Boo Buckets
Boo Buckets have partnered with well known brands before. McDonald’s has previously worked with Mr. Potato Head, Scooby Doo, Monster High, Minions and Peanuts. This year is different in one specific way: it is the first set of movie themed Boo Buckets since the 2022 relaunch.
So even though crossovers are not new, a full set built around characters from classic films is a fresh step for the modern run of these buckets.
A Short History of the McDonald’s Boo Bucket
The Boo Bucket story begins in 1986, when McDonald’s introduced Halloween Pumpkin Happy Meals. There were three pumpkin shaped pails, each with its own jack o’lantern inspired design. Over time the buckets grew to include new characters such as ghosts and witches. Some versions added features like glow in the dark materials and built in Halloween cookie cutters.
They were especially popular in the 1990s, when kids rushed to their local McDonald’s to order a Happy Meal and see which bucket they would get. If you grew up then, you probably have your own memory of that moment.
The Pause and the Return
After 2016, McDonald’s quietly stopped making the annual collectibles. Customers kept asking for them, and after years of that demand the chain revived the tradition in 2022. Boo Buckets have been a Halloween staple every year since.
How the Designs Have Changed Since 2022
The recent years have been a mixed bag, and fans have not always agreed with the choices.
- 2022: The comeback year brought slightly different witch, pumpkin and ghost designs than the ones people remembered from the 1990s.
- 2023: McDonald’s debuted four new Boo Buckets: Monster in green, Skeleton in orange, Mummy in white and Vampire in purple.
- 2024: Many fans were not impressed by the 2024 Boo Buckets, which were white, orange, green and blue monster designs.
- 2025: The chain made up for it by releasing 15 Boo Buckets, including returning ghosts, pumpkins and goblins, along with cats and zombies.
Seen in that light, a lineup of five famous Disney villains is a noticeable change after a year with 15 designs and another with fan backlash.
How to Get Your Boo Bucket Before They Run Out
The rules are simple. The buckets come with a Happy Meal purchase at participating McDonald’s locations, and availability begins October 20. Because supplies are limited and the offer is for a limited time, it makes sense to plan your drive through run ahead of trick or treat season rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Since only participating restaurants have them, it is worth checking that your local branch is taking part before you head out.
Questions Fans Are Asking About the Disney Boo Buckets
Which Disney villains are on the 2026 McDonald’s Boo Buckets?
There are five: Jafar from “Aladdin,” Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” Scar from “The Lion King,” Cruella from “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” and Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty.”
When can I buy the new Boo Buckets?
They are available starting October 20 at participating McDonald’s locations, for a limited time while supplies last.
Do I need to buy a Happy Meal to get one?
Yes. According to the details available, the buckets come with a Happy Meal purchase.
Can I choose which villain I get?
The information supplied does not say whether you can pick a specific character. Your local restaurant is the best place to ask.
Do the buckets include anything besides the bucket itself?
Each one has a villain inspired lid and stickers. The sticker sheet is unique to that character’s movie and includes small details that McDonald’s says true fans will recognise.
Are the buckets all the same colour?
No. They span a wide range of colours, but all of them share the same yellow handle with McDonald’s Golden Arches.
How long have McDonald’s Boo Buckets been around?
They debuted in 1986 as Halloween Pumpkin Happy Meals. McDonald’s stopped making them after 2016 and brought them back in 2022 after years of customer demand.
Is this the first time Boo Buckets have had a pop culture theme?
No. Earlier partnerships include Mr. Potato Head, Scooby Doo, Monster High, Minions and Peanuts. What is new is that this is the first movie themed set since the 2022 relaunch.
Time to Pick Your Villain
If one of these five characters is already your favourite, now is the time to head to a participating McDonald’s before the supply runs low. And if you are still undecided, the sticker sheets might make the choice for you.
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