McDonald’s is shrinking Halloween nostalgia down to size with the launch of Lil McBoo Buckets, hitting Happy Meals this July. Smaller than a Happy Meal fry but packed with collector appeal, these pint-sized pails are part of a broader mini brands trend captivating kids and adults alike.
Here’s the TL;DR…
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Lil McBoo Buckets Launch July 1: Part of the Lil McDonald’s toy line, these micro pails mimic 2024’s Boo Buckets in miniature.
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Boo Bucket History: First introduced in 1986, discontinued, then resurrected in 2022 to adult collector acclaim.
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Mini Brands Craze: Adults are driving demand for palm-sized collectibles—and McDonald’s is capitalizing.
Lil McBoo Buckets: The 2025 Mini Makeover
Announced on June 25, 2025, McDonald’s Lil McBoo Buckets debut July 1 as part of its Lil McDonald’s Happy Meal toy series. These thumb-sized Halloween pails—ghost, witch, skeleton, and vampire—shrink down the beloved 2022 Boo Bucket designs. A companion digital game, Drive Thru Dash, accessible via QR codes on Happy Meal boxes, adds a playful interactive layer.
Joining Lil McNuggets and Lil McFlurries, the McBoo Buckets tap into a mini brands movement where even the tiniest toy triggers big nostalgia. Though aimed at children, they’re also targeting collectors who won’t blink at hoarding plastic pails smaller than a cookie.
Boo Buckets: From 1986 to Cult Status
The original Boo Buckets launched in 1986 as Halloween-themed Happy Meal pails, featuring pumpkin, ghost, and witch designs. After being phased out in the ’90s due to safety concerns, they reappeared in 2000 and sporadically returned until their full-blown 2022 resurgence.
That year’s buckets flew off shelves between October 15–31, driven in part by nostalgic adults reliving childhoods and swapping stories in forums like r/McDonaldsCollectibles. Designs became brighter, more collectible—and harder to find.
Collectors Are Losing It (Again)
The 2022 comeback saw adult collectors snatching Boo Buckets by the dozen, reminiscent of the Beanie Baby craze. According to CNN and The New York Times, nostalgia and perceived rarity fueled bidding wars, with some vintage 1986 pails fetching over $100 on eBay.
With the 2025 Lil McBoo Buckets labeled as limited-edition and miniaturized, anticipation is high. Collector’s Weekly warns these could be “the next shelf-space dominators” in adult toy rooms already packed with Funko Pops and retro Happy Meal memorabilia.
Mini Brands: Shrinking for Profit
Lil McBoo Buckets are part of a wider strategy: 21 Lil McDonald’s toys are rolling out July 1. Inspired by Zuru’s Mini Brands, which hit $1 billion in sales by 2023, McDonald’s is betting on the adult appetite for bite-sized collectibles.
Each Lil toy, priced at $1.99 with a Happy Meal, is designed to fit in the palm of your hand. It’s absurdly small, absurdly popular, and absurdly on-trend. The buckets, being Halloween-themed, only boost the hype.
Why It Matters
Beyond the novelty, the Lil McBoo Buckets represent a cultural touchstone. From their 1986 debut to their 2022 revival, Boo Buckets are part of McDonald’s branding DNA. The 2025 mini version speaks to an era where nostalgia, absurdity, and novelty converge—and go viral.
With the Drive Thru Dash digital component and collectors already buzzing under #LilMcBoo on X, McDonald’s latest toy line may not just be for kids. It’s also for the grown-ups reclaiming a slice of spooky season, one tiny bucket at a time.
Sources:
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McDonald’s, “Lil McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys – Press Release,” June 2025
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ABC News, “Supershrink it! McDonald’s launching mini Happy Meal toys,” June 25, 2025
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Taste of Home, “McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets Are Returning for 2024,” October 7, 2024
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Nightmare Nostalgia, “Celebrating The Wonderful History Of McDonald’s Halloween Buckets,” September 28, 2023
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The Hollywood Reporter, “McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets Sell Out Amid Adult Collector Frenzy,” October 31, 2024
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r/McDonaldsCollectibles, June 2025
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CNN, “Adult Collectors Drive McDonald’s Boo Bucket Resurgence,” November 1, 2024
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The New York Times, “The Return of the Boo Bucket: A Collector’s Perspective,” October 29, 2024
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eBay, “McDonald’s Boo Buckets – Completed Listings,” June 2025
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Collector’s Weekly, “The Mini Brands Phenomenon and Adult Collectors,” June 2025
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Forbes, “Why Adults Are Obsessed With Mini Brands,” May 2025
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Bloomberg, “Zuru’s Mini Brands Hit $1 Billion in Sales,” December 2023
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 28, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.
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