How the McDonald's Halloween 'Boo Buckets' Have Evolved Since the 1980s

Mar. 15, 2025

McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.Photo:McDonald’s

McDonald’s

McDonald’s Boo Buckets have devloped something of a cult following over the years, with fans of the fast-food chain looking forward to the release of the Halloween-themed pails each year.The festive buckets were first introduced in 1986, but went on hiatus in 2016 — making their triumphant return to restaurants in 2022.Below, we’ve rounded up some of the Boo Buckets of Octobers past, which offer a window into how the aesthetics of the collectibles have changed over the past four decades.19871987 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sThe 1987 buckets were classics — made in orange and black and in the shape of jack-o'-lanterns. The early iteration of the product came in three varieties: McBoo, McPunk’n and McGoblin. As an ad from the time promised, diners could collect “three different Halloween pumpkins,” and “get one with each Happy Meal” — while supplies lasted.19891989 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sThe 1989 buckets came in three shapes and colors. An orange and black jack-o'-lantern looked similar to years past, while a green, witch-shaped bucket and a white, ghost-shaped bucket offered new takes on the trend.19901990 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sThe buckets from 1990 looked strikingly similar to the year prior, but with one important twist: the ghost was glow-in-the-dark! As an ad promised, the Halloween Happy Meals would “boooost your spirits.“19921992 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sThe witch, pumpkin and ghost varieties got a slight makeover in 1992, with each coming with a lid that doubled as a Halloween-themed cookie-cutter.20112011 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sIn 2011, McDonald’s offered Boo Buckets that could be “tricked out” with an accompanying set of stickers to adhere to each pail. Two varieties were featured: a pumpkin and a Frankenstein-like monster.20222022 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sIn 2022, the buckets returned for the first time since 2016, when they went on something of a six-year retirement. The relaunch came with three Boo buckets: an orange pumpkin, white ghost and green Frankenstein monster.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.20232023 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’sThe green, orange and white buckets made a comeback in 2023 — along with a purple vampire character. That year, the green pail was a monster, orange was a skeleton and white was a mummy.“They’ll be gone faster than you can say ‘boo,’ ” McDonald’s noted in a press release.20242024 McDonald’s Boo Buckets.McDonald’sIn 2024, the fast food chain announced that its Halloween pails will return on Oct. 15. Participating locations will stock up with the fan-favorite Boo Buckets, which come as a Happy Meal but double as a trick-or-treat container.The not-so-spooky buckets feature four new designs this year: monster faces in white, orange and green, plus a new blue color. According to a press release, fans can also personalize their pails with Halloween stickers.

McDonald’s Boo Buckets have devloped something of a cult following over the years, with fans of the fast-food chain looking forward to the release of the Halloween-themed pails each year.

The festive buckets were first introduced in 1986, but went on hiatus in 2016 — making their triumphant return to restaurants in 2022.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the Boo Buckets of Octobers past, which offer a window into how the aesthetics of the collectibles have changed over the past four decades.

1987

1987 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

The 1987 buckets were classics — made in orange and black and in the shape of jack-o'-lanterns. The early iteration of the product came in three varieties: McBoo, McPunk’n and McGoblin. As an ad from the time promised, diners could collect “three different Halloween pumpkins,” and “get one with each Happy Meal” — while supplies lasted.

1989

1989 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

The 1989 buckets came in three shapes and colors. An orange and black jack-o'-lantern looked similar to years past, while a green, witch-shaped bucket and a white, ghost-shaped bucket offered new takes on the trend.

1990

1990 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

The buckets from 1990 looked strikingly similar to the year prior, but with one important twist: the ghost was glow-in-the-dark! As an ad promised, the Halloween Happy Meals would “boooost your spirits.”

1992

1992 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

The witch, pumpkin and ghost varieties got a slight makeover in 1992, with each coming with a lid that doubled as a Halloween-themed cookie-cutter.

2011

2011 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

In 2011, McDonald’s offered Boo Buckets that could be “tricked out” with an accompanying set of stickers to adhere to each pail. Two varieties were featured: a pumpkin and a Frankenstein-like monster.

2022

2022 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

In 2022, the buckets returned for the first time since 2016, when they went on something of a six-year retirement. The relaunch came with three Boo buckets: an orange pumpkin, white ghost and green Frankenstein monster.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

2023

2023 McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

The green, orange and white buckets made a comeback in 2023 — along with a purple vampire character. That year, the green pail was a monster, orange was a skeleton and white was a mummy.

“They’ll be gone faster than you can say ‘boo,’ ” McDonald’s noted in a press release.

2024

2024 McDonald’s Boo Buckets.McDonald’s

In 2024, the fast food chain announced that its Halloween pails will return on Oct. 15. Participating locations will stock up with the fan-favorite Boo Buckets, which come as a Happy Meal but double as a trick-or-treat container.

The not-so-spooky buckets feature four new designs this year: monster faces in white, orange and green, plus a new blue color. According to a press release, fans can also personalize their pails with Halloween stickers.

source: people.com