What Are the New Disney McDonald's Boo Buckets for Halloween 2026? Villains, Dates, and Prices Explained

McDonald's 2026 Boo Buckets are four Disney villain themed Happy Meal pails featuring Maleficent, Ursula, Scar, and Cruella de Vil, arriving at participating U.S. restaurants in mid-October 2026. The buckets replace the 2025 monster designs and are sold with a Happy Meal for an upcharge, while supplies last, according to the Chicago Tribune and KTLA.

What are the new Disney McDonald's Boo Buckets for Halloween 2026?

The 2026 Boo Buckets are a Disney Villains collection: Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Scar (The Lion King), and Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians). Each plastic pail keeps the classic Boo Bucket silhouette with a handle and lid, but swaps the retro monster faces for stylized villain portraits in purple, green, black, and red colorways. McDonald's confirmed the lineup on October 16, 2026, the same day the Chicago Tribune reported the villain makeover.

When do the 2026 Boo Buckets go on sale?

They go on sale at participating McDonald's locations starting mid-October 2026, timed to the final two weeks before Halloween. KTLA reported the rollout begins October 16, 2026, with most restaurants receiving shipments through the following week. Availability is not guaranteed nationwide on day one, and McDonald's has historically staggered Boo Bucket drops by region, so calling ahead is the fastest way to confirm stock.

How much do the Disney Boo Buckets cost in 2026?

Expect an upcharge of roughly $1 to $3 on top of a Happy Meal, consistent with the 2023 through 2025 Boo Bucket pricing. Allrecipes noted the buckets are sold with a Happy Meal purchase, not as standalone items. Prices vary by franchise, and some urban markets charge more than rural ones.

Why is McDonald's using Disney villains in 2026?

McDonald's is leaning on its Disney partnership to drive Halloween traffic after a softer 2025 Boo Bucket cycle. The two companies have collaborated on Happy Meal toys for decades, and Disney Villains merchandise has surged in 2026 thanks to the live-action Moana and ongoing theme park villain expansions. According to the Chicago Tribune, the villain theme is designed to appeal to older kids and adult collectors who drive resale demand on eBay and Mercari.

Are the 2026 Boo Buckets collectible or resellable?

Yes, Boo Buckets have become a secondary-market staple. Past-year buckets routinely list for $10 to $40 on resale sites within days of release, and sealed 2026 Disney Villain sets are already appearing in pre-sale listings. Collectors should note that McDonald's does not officially endorse resale, and franchise-level purchase limits of one or two buckets per customer are common.

How do the 2026 Disney Boo Buckets compare to previous years?

The 2026 set is the first Boo Bucket line built entirely around licensed Disney characters rather than generic Halloween monsters. That is a meaningful shift: 2023 through 2025 buckets were original McDonald's designs. The Disney Villains angle gives the 2026 buckets stronger brand recognition and higher collector appeal, but it also means fewer units per store because licensed merchandise typically ships in tighter allocations.

Where can you find the 2026 Boo Buckets?

Participating McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. are the only official source. The McDonald's app and McDelivery do not reliably show Boo Bucket inventory, so in-store or drive-thru purchases are the most dependable route. Fans tracking the drop are also watching the related search terms "what are the halloween buckets at mcdonald's" and "disney boo buckets," which spiked on October 16, 2026.

What else is McDonald's bringing back this fall?

McDonald's is pairing the Boo Buckets with the return of a fan-favorite meal, according to Allrecipes, which reported the chain is reviving a popular menu item alongside the Halloween promotion. The combined push is part of McDonald's broader Q4 2026 strategy to lift U.S. same-store sales after a flat summer.

"The villain theme is a deliberate play for the collector crowd, which is where Boo Buckets generate the most social buzz," the Chicago Tribune reported on October 16, 2026.

Key takeaways

• 2026 Boo Buckets feature four Disney villains: Maleficent, Ursula, Scar, and Cruella de Vil.
• They launch mid-October 2026 with a $1 to $3 upcharge on a Happy Meal.
• This is the first fully licensed Disney Boo Bucket line, boosting resale value.
• Availability is limited and varies by franchise, so call ahead.