McDonald's Disney Villains Boo Buckets Spark Fan Outcry Over Halloween Theme
Customers question the spooky relevance of the new Happy Meal promotion and lament the absence of classic bucket designs.
McDonald's has launched its annual Halloween Happy Meal promotion, this year featuring Disney Villains Boo Buckets. The collectible buckets showcase characters such as Jafar, Ursula, Scar, Cruella de Vil, and Maleficent. Each bucket comes with villain-themed stickers and can be paired with a hamburger, Chicken McNuggets, fries, apple slices, and a drink.
The release has coincided with fan disappointment, as many customers argue the new designs lack a traditional Halloween aesthetic. Social media commentary reveals a sentiment that the Disney Villains theme is not sufficiently spooky for the holiday.
Fans have expressed a strong preference for McDonald's previous Halloween buckets, particularly the original designs from the 1980s, which included the McPunk’n, McBoo, and McGoblin. A recurring complaint is the absence of lids on the current buckets, a feature present in earlier versions that customers believe is essential for practicality, especially for children.
McDonald's first introduced Halloween-themed buckets in 1986, following a test market launch in 1985. The promotion was discontinued in 2016 but was revived in 2022, marking its 40th anniversary this year. The 2025 Boo Buckets featured designs like a goblin, ghost, pumpkin, zombie, and cat, and included glow-in-the-dark stickers.
The current Disney Villains Boo Buckets are available for a limited time starting October 20, 2026. Pricing may vary by location.