McDonald's has announced that its Halloween Boo Buckets are returning for 2026 with a Disney Villains theme — the company itself declared in its announcement that it is "entering our villain era," describing the pails as "inspired by Disney's most notorious scene-stealers."

Each bucket, offered in lieu of the kids' Happy Meal box, also includes a villain-inspired lid and a sheet of stickers featuring characters and details from the films.

The timing makes the design pivot striking: 2026 marks 40 years since McDonald's introduced the first collectible Halloween pails in 1986, originally as orange pumpkin-shaped "Halloween Pumpkin Happy Meals."

International Business Times Australia reports that some social media users expressed disappointment that the anniversary edition features a brand collaboration rather than the classic witch, ghost and pumpkin designs — though it notes licensed characters are not new, with Scooby-Doo, Mr. Potato Head and Charlie Brown buckets in the 2000s.

Yahoo adds that Adult fans who grew up with the original animations and kids who know the modern remakes may both recognize the lineup.

Livemint lays out the color-coded lineup: the green bucket features Maleficent with her dark magic and horned headdress; the red bucket stars Jafar, the power-hungry royal vizier from Aladdin; the orange bucket carries Scar, the scheming lion from The Lion King; the black-and-white design reflects Cruella de Vil's fashion-obsessed look from 101 Dalmatians; and the purple bucket celebrates Ursula, the sea witch who bargains with Ariel.

ABC News confirms the same five-villain roster, noting each bucket arrives with a matching lid and stickers. McDonald's quips there is a bucket for every kind of villains fan, from flair and magic to sea-witch swagger.

The announcement drew hundreds of comments from excited fans on social media, International Business Times Australia reports — "I don't know who is more excited?! Me or my toddler!" wrote one commenter, while another declared, "I know what we're having for dinner on 10/20!"

The same outlet flags one recurring disappointment: the buckets still will not come with actual lids, which McDonald's stopped including in the 2000s in favor of plastic handles and sticker sheets, despite long-running fan requests for their return.

The revival matters beyond the Happy Meal line.

IBTimes reports the 2022 return of the buckets after a hiatus of more than six years helped spark a broader Halloween promotion wave: Burger King launched a Vampire's Bite Strawberry and Sprite drink, Dairy Queen introduced its first-ever Halloween menu with an Enchanted Oreo Blizzard, and Jack in the Box offered a Simpsons-themed Munchie Meal of Horror.

McDonald's has also revived its Monopoly game this month, a top prize of $1 million per FOX 11 Los Angeles — nostalgia and limited-time collaborations are clearly the chain's traffic drivers this season.

The Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meals arrive at participating U.S. McDonald's restaurants starting Tuesday, October 20, for a limited time while supplies last, per the company's announcement.

Customers get a bucket with a Happy Meal — a hamburger or Chicken McNuggets with apple slices, fries and a drink — and no nationwide price has been announced, with Happy Meal costs varying by location, Livemint notes.

Because the buckets are popular collectibles, IBTimes expects them to sell out quickly, and Yahoo suggests fans check McDonald's website or app for participating locations; collectors chasing all five villains have just over a week before Halloween.