McDonald's Boo Buckets are back, and vintage ones could have value

Oct 16, 2024

Boo Buckets are back with Happy Meals at McDonald’s restaurants today; and the popular Halloween trick-or-treat pail giveaways are already being listed for sale on eBay.

The plastic customizable buckets replace the Happy Meal box for a limited time. This year’s versions are all monster designs.

McDonald’s introduced the pails as part of the Halloween Pumpkin Happy Meal in 1986 with three pumpkin designs, all in orange. Later a white ghost, a green witch and an orange pumpkin made up the classic 1986-91 Boo Buckets lineup before McDonald's started using licensed characters such as Scooby-Doo.

The buckets were discontinued in 2016 and didn’t return until 2022.

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White, orange and green buckets return this week, along with a blue bucket which replaces a purple one from last year.

They’re free! (With the purchase of a Happy Meal. Happy Meal prices vary by location, but are generally $4.50-$5 in the Midwest.

One eBay account on Tuesday morning had the set of four 2024 Boo Buckets listed for $29.99.

The same seller lists the 2023 set for $23.99.

Those wanting the old-school pumpkin-witch-ghost Boo Buckets trio can get it for $66.60 on the site.

McDonald’s will begin selling the Boo Buckets on Oct. 15.

McDonald's isn't the only restaurant chain with Halloween-themed buckets. Other restaurants and coffee shops are making sure customers have pails in which to tote their trick-or-treat hauls.

Check out these restaurants to get Halloween buckets:

First introduced in 2022, the buckets come in two new glow-in-the-dark designs. They’re filled with 31 Timbits of the customer’s choice

The buckets became available on Oct 2.

The buckets cost $10.99 with the Timbits. $6 refills of 31 Timbits are available through Oct. 31.

The purple bucket, illustrated with a sweet Halloween motif, can be filled with a 50-count assortment of Munchkins Donut Hole Treats, including new Halloween sprinkle-covered Munchkins.

The Dunkin' Halloween Munchkins Bucket will be available starting Oct. 16.

The company has not announced the price of the bucket.

Auntie Anne's has teamed with Spirit Halloween on a reusable Halloween bucket. It's filled with your choice of Pretzel Nuggets (including five 16-ounce servings).

The bucket is available now for a limited time.

Each bucket costs $35.59-$39.59.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson.