McDonald’s Disney Boo Buckets: Release Date, Designs & How to Get One (2026)

McDonald’s Boo Buckets are back for Halloween 2026 — and this year they look very different. Instead of the usual pumpkins and ghosts, the plastic trick-or-treat pails are dressed up as Disney villains. McDonald’s officially announced the Disney Villains Boo Buckets on October 15, 2026, and they go on sale starting Tuesday, October 20.

If you’re wondering what these are, what’s included, and how to get one before they sell out, here’s everything in plain English.

What Are McDonald’s Boo Buckets?

Boo Buckets are the plastic Halloween pails McDonald’s puts Happy Meals in every October. Instead of the usual red box, your meal comes in a reusable bucket you can then use for trick-or-treating.

The idea isn’t new. Boo Buckets first showed up in 1986 as a trio of orange pails, and they’ve been coming back on and off ever since. They disappeared after 2016 and returned in 2022 after years of fans asking for them. Last year’s versions (2025) featured Ghost, Pumpkin, and Goblin designs plus new Cat and Zombie faces. This year’s Disney collaboration is the first movie-character set since the 2022 comeback.

The 2026 Disney Villains Collection

This year’s set features five of Disney’s most famous villains, each with their own bucket:

• Jafar (Aladdin) — red bucket
• Ursula (The Little Mermaid) — purple bucket
• Scar (The Lion King) — orange bucket
• Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians) — white bucket
• Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) — green bucket

Each bucket comes with two extras:

• A villain-inspired lid that matches the character on the bucket
• A sheet of stickers with characters and details from that villain’s movie, so you can decorate the bucket yourself

All five designs keep the classic yellow handle with McDonald’s Golden Arches, so they still look like McDonald’s buckets.

When and Where Can You Get One?

The Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal is available at participating McDonald’s restaurants across the US starting Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It’s a limited-time deal, and it’s only around while supplies last — past years have sold out at some locations, so don’t wait too long if you want one.

To get one, just order a Happy Meal at the restaurant, in the drive-thru, or through the McDonald’s app. The Boo Bucket takes the place of the normal Happy Meal box and packaging.

How Much Does a Boo Bucket Cost?

McDonald’s hasn’t published a single national price. Each restaurant sets its own price for the Boo Buckets Happy Meal, so it can vary depending on where you live. Your meal choices work the same as usual: a hamburger (you can add cheese) or a 4-piece or 6-piece Chicken McNuggets meal, with a drink, apple slices, and french fries.

Can You Choose Your Villain?

McDonald’s hasn’t said how designs are distributed, and restaurants typically hand out whatever they have on hand. If you have a favorite villain, it’s worth asking the staff if they have that design in stock before you order — some will let you pick. Just know there’s no guarantee.

FAQs

What comes inside a Boo Bucket?

The same food as a regular Happy Meal — your choice of entrée, drink, apple slices, and fries — plus the bucket itself, a character-themed lid, and a sticker sheet.

Do Boo Buckets replace the Happy Meal toy?

Yes. The bucket itself is the collectible, and it replaces the usual Happy Meal box. A Boo Bucket purchase doesn’t come with a separate toy.

Can you buy a Boo Bucket without buying a Happy Meal?

McDonald’s hasn’t announced any option to buy the bucket on its own. So far, it’s only been offered with a Happy Meal purchase.

Are these available outside the US?

This promotion was announced for participating US McDonald’s restaurants. McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed anything for other countries.

How long will they be available?

McDonald’s says the buckets are available for a limited time while supplies last. There’s no official end date, but they typically don’t last far past Halloween.