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

The Boo Buckets were launched in 1986, but went on hiatus in 2016 — making their triumphant return to restaurants in 2022

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.

Related: McDonald’s Happy Meal Boo Buckets Return for Halloween in 4 Monster Designs — with Matching Stickers

1987

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

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

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

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

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.

Related: Dunkin’ Drops DunKings Halloween Costumes, a Munchkins Trick-or-Treating Bucket and More Scary-Good Menu Items

2022

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.

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2023

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

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.

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