Overview

• McDonald’s says the Halloween pails will be available nationwide starting Oct. 21 at participating locations while supplies last, temporarily replacing the standard Happy Meal box.
• The 2025 lineup features Ghost, Pumpkin and Goblin alongside two additions, Cat and Zombie, with each character offered in three facial expressions and accompanied by Halloween-themed stickers.
• Buckets are distributed only with Happy Meal orders, and some outlets report via a blogger preview that customers can choose a hamburger or 4- or 6-piece Chicken McNuggets, a detail not issued in the official release.
• Acknowledging rival promotions, McDonald’s called copycats flattering and emphasized its “OG” bucket, while Burger King’s own limited Halloween bucket debuts Oct. 13.
• First introduced in 1986, Boo Buckets have become a recurring seasonal draw, and this year’s designs are being described as a return to form after 2024’s redesign drew social-media criticism.