McDonald’s is giving customers another reason to visit its restaurants this Halloween with the return of its popular Boo Buckets. This year, the nostalgic Halloween favorite is getting a Disney Villains makeover, combining a familiar McDonald’s tradition with some of Disney’s most recognizable animated villains.
Starting October 20, 2026, participating McDonald’s restaurants across the United States are expected to offer the special-edition Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal for a limited time. The collection features five designs inspired by Jafar, Ursula, Scar, Cruella de Vil, and Maleficent.
The announcement is attracting attention from families, Disney fans, and collectors who look forward to seasonal McDonald’s promotions. With its Halloween theme and collectible packaging, the latest release offers a new take on a familiar fast-food tradition.
McDonald’s Brings Back Its Popular Boo Buckets
Boo Buckets have become a recognizable part of McDonald’s Halloween promotions. Originally introduced in 1986, the colorful containers became popular with children and eventually developed a nostalgic following among adults who remember collecting them during their childhood.
The buckets returned in 2022 after a lengthy absence, renewing interest in the seasonal promotion. Since then, different designs have helped maintain the collection’s appeal among customers who enjoy Halloween-themed merchandise.
The 2026 edition introduces a new direction by replacing the familiar Halloween-inspired characters and colors with Disney’s famous villains.
Rather than simply bringing back an older design, McDonald’s is combining its established Halloween promotion with characters that have remained popular across generations.
For longtime fans, the return provides a chance to revisit a childhood favorite. For younger customers, the Disney collaboration offers a new way to enjoy the seasonal Happy Meal experience.
Meet the Five Disney Villains Boo Bucket Designs
The 2026 collection includes five designs based on well-known Disney villains. Each character has a distinctive personality and visual style, giving collectors several options to look for during the promotion.
1. Jafar
Jafar, the calculating villain from Aladdin, is known for his dramatic appearance and ambition. His inclusion brings a recognizable character from Disney’s animated classics to the Halloween collection.
2. Ursula
Ursula, the sea witch from The Little Mermaid, is another featured character. Her distinctive appearance and memorable role make her a natural fit for a Halloween-themed collectible.
3. Scar
Scar, the villain from The Lion King, adds another familiar face to the lineup. His dark personality and recognizable design make him one of the collection’s standout characters.
4. Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil, the fashion-obsessed antagonist from 101 Dalmatians, brings a different style to the collection. Her distinctive black-and-white appearance sets her apart from the other characters.
5. Maleficent
Maleficent, the iconic villain from Sleeping Beauty, completes the five-character lineup. Her dramatic horns and dark fairy-tale aesthetic make her especially appropriate for a Halloween promotion.
Each bucket includes a character-inspired lid and themed stickers featuring recognizable details associated with the selected villain.
When Will the Disney Villains Boo Buckets Be Available?
McDonald’s has announced October 20, 2026, as the starting date for the limited-time U.S. promotion.
The buckets are expected to be available at participating restaurants while supplies last. That means customers may not find every design at every location, and availability can vary depending on local inventory.
The promotion is tied to the Halloween season, making it a timely release for families planning seasonal activities and collectors looking for themed merchandise.
Customers interested in the collection should check with their local restaurant before visiting, particularly if they want a specific character design.
McDonald’s has not established a single guaranteed end date for every participating location. As with other limited-time promotions, supplies and participation may vary.
What Comes With the Boo Buckets Happy Meal?
The Disney Villains Boo Buckets are part of McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion. Customers can generally choose a qualifying main item, such as a hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, along with sides and a drink, subject to the options available at their restaurant.
The main attraction of this release is the special Halloween packaging. Each bucket features a villain-inspired design, a matching lid, and themed stickers.
The collectible container gives the promotion an additional appeal beyond the food itself. Children can use it as part of their Halloween activities, while collectors may want to keep the buckets after the promotion ends.
Exact meal options and prices can vary by restaurant and location. Customers should consult their local McDonald’s menu for current details.
Why McDonald’s Seasonal Promotions Attract So Much Attention
Limited-time menu promotions allow McDonald’s to reconnect with customers through familiar products while introducing new themes.
The Boo Buckets are particularly suited to this approach because they combine nostalgia, seasonal excitement, and collectible designs. Customers who remember earlier versions may be interested in seeing how the promotion has changed, while Disney fans may want to collect their favorite villains.
The limited availability can also encourage customers to visit before the promotion ends. However, the popularity of individual designs and the speed at which they sell out will depend on local demand and available stock.
For McDonald’s, the Disney collaboration provides an opportunity to refresh an established Halloween tradition without abandoning the concept that made it recognizable in the first place.
How the 2026 Collection Differs From Previous Boo Buckets
Earlier Boo Buckets were associated with traditional Halloween designs, including colorful containers inspired by ghosts, pumpkins, and other seasonal imagery.
The 2026 collection takes a different approach by focusing on Disney villains. Instead of emphasizing traditional Halloween characters, the new designs draw on recognizable figures from popular animated films.
The addition of character-inspired lids and stickers also gives the collection a more specific Disney theme.
This change may appeal to customers who enjoy collecting merchandise connected to their favorite films, while longtime Boo Bucket fans can compare the new designs with earlier releases.
The promotion also illustrates how fast-food brands use entertainment partnerships to refresh familiar products and attract different generations of customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are McDonald’s Boo Buckets returning in 2026?
The Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal promotion is scheduled to begin on October 20, 2026, at participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants.
2. Which Disney villains are included?
The collection features Jafar from Aladdin, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Scar from The Lion King, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.
3. Will the Boo Buckets be available everywhere?
The promotion is planned for participating McDonald’s restaurants in the United States. Availability and inventory may vary by location.
4. What comes with each Boo Bucket?
Each collectible bucket features a villain-inspired lid and themed stickers. It is offered as part of the Happy Meal promotion, with food and drink choices subject to the local menu.
5. How long will the promotion last?
The Boo Buckets are being offered for a limited time while supplies last. McDonald’s has not announced a guaranteed end date for every restaurant.
Conclusion
McDonald’s is bringing back its Halloween Boo Buckets on October 20, 2026, with a new collection inspired by five famous Disney villains. Featuring Jafar, Ursula, Scar, Cruella de Vil, and Maleficent, the promotion combines a nostalgic McDonald’s tradition with characters familiar to generations of Disney fans.
The limited-time Happy Meal promotion may appeal to families looking for a seasonal treat as well as adults who remember collecting Boo Buckets in previous years.
Customers hoping to get a particular design should check availability at their local restaurant because supplies may vary. With Halloween approaching, the Disney Villains collection gives McDonald’s another opportunity to turn a familiar seasonal promotion into a collectible experience.
Rosy is a passionate content writer specializing in pet care, animal behavior, nutrition, and pet wellness. She loves creating helpful, engaging, and easy-to-understand content that helps pet owners keep their furry companions happy, healthy, and safe.