Summer isn’t even over, but McDonald’s is already preparing for fall by announcing the highly anticipated return of one of its most iconic seasonal items.
As many brands lean into pumpkin spice lattes and fall spice-flavored treats, McDonald’s is taking a different approach and standing out from the competition by bringing back a nostalgic Halloween favorite, beloved by both kids and adults.
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McDonald’s has revealed that the limited-edition Boo Buckets will be returning at all participating U.S. locations this October, just in time for Halloween to fulfill all candy-collecting needs.
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While the exact release date has yet to be confirmed, the Boo Buckets launched on October 15 last year and were available through October 31 while supplies lasted. Based on this yearly pattern, fans can expect the 2025 drop to be around mid-October.
McDonald’s to launch the 2025 Boo Buckets.
Image Source: McDonald’s Corp.
McDonald’s launches the Boo Buckets nationwide
McDonald’s (MCD) introduced the Boo Buckets nationwide in 1986 as part of its Halloween-themed Happy Meal after launching a small pilot in select markets the year prior.
The original lineup consisted of plastic containers with a handle and spooky designs in three different varieties.
- McPunk’n: An orange pumpkin
- McBoo: A white ghost
- McGoblin: A green goblin
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Over the years, the Boo Buckets quickly became a seasonal staple at McDonald’s. Still, the designs constantly changed, evolving with new characters and colors, slight tweaks, and even one-off collaborations.
Boo Buckets are discontinued
After three decades of being a constant seasonal offering at all McDonald’s across the U.S., the Boo Buckets were discontinued in 2016. The final launch was a collaboration with the Peanuts franchise, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
McDonald’s brings back the Boo Buckets with new designs
Fans were disappointed to hear the news, and after much pleading to bring it back, the Boo Buckets returned in 2022 with a slightly revamped look that still featured the original orange, white, and green characters but with a more modern design and no lid.
This seasonal relaunch not only highlighted the loyalty of McDonald’s fans but also enabled the company to meet demand, keep consumers engaged, and drive sales.
What will the 2025 Boo Buckets look like and where to get them
The new design for 2025 has not been revealed yet, but McDonald’s tends to update the Boo Buckets every year, so expect a new collectable design to be revealed soon.
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- The Cheesecake Factory unveils new affordable menu categories
- Pepsi issues stern message to employees after mass closures
- Domino’s Pizza menu change brought customers back
The 2025 Boo Buckets will be available at participating McDonald’s locations nationwide, but availability will vary and is only while supplies last.
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