McDonald’s customers are booing its new Halloween Boo Buckets: ‘Strong pass’

A spooky tradition at the Golden Arches has returned.

On Oct. 1, McDonald’s announced the return of its Happy Meal Boo Buckets, and the reviews of the new designs on social media have been ... not great.

Customers can get their hands on the trick-or-treat-ready buckets starting Oct. 15, at participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. This year, the brand says the pails are “getting a refresh” with new monster designs in white, orange, green and blue, while last year’s lineup included a purple vampire.

This year, bucket-holders can customize their vessel with themed stickers for what McDonald’s calls a “truly monstrous makeover.” All four bucket designs will be available while supplies last.

McDonald’s has been doling out Boo Buckets to kids and nostalgia-hungry adults since 1986. The buckets have gone through several refreshes over the years, from the original trio of orange designs to the addition of a witch, ghost, skeleton, mummy and more. 

Past versions of Boo Buckets have come with lids, which have become a facet of the item social media users reminisce about.

People reacted to this year’s designs on Instagram, X and TikTok with overwhelming displeasure, flooding the comments sections of multiple posts.

“Strong pass on these,” wrote one Instagram user. “Worst boo bucket designs released yet.”

“If their target audience was collectors, they dropped the ball,” remarked another. “If their target audience was a landfill, congrats!”

“If that’s what they’re actually gonna look like, it’s a no,” TikTok user @alaskananna said in a Sept. 10 video. “I don’t know what I’m more disappointed with: the 2024 Boo Buckets or the new Apple release.”

Another TikToker thought the characters on the buckets looked familiar — but not from McDonaldland.

“Why did they look like dust bunnies or Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” Sarah Kim (@skvintage) says in a Sept. 21 video. “Remember last year when they were so good when we got this little purple vampire deal?”

Lots of folks complained about the lack of lids, with one commenter begging, “Can we PLEASE bring back the tops?”

Can we PLEASE bring back the tops? pic.twitter.com/MecGc6CrLY

— Jennifer Dyin’ ???? (@JayeRyane) October 1, 2024

On the other hand, some folks are applauding this year’s design.

“Omg those look so cute,” wrote one X user.

“Honestly thank god they look like this so I’ll actually be able to get one for my kid since adults won’t be snatching them all up,” wrote one Instagram user to which another replied, “Thought the exact same! Good thing!????.”

“I don’t love them, but my 3 year old got excited when I showed her,” another parent wrote on Reddit. “It’s nice for McDonald’s to have a happy meal toy that’s actually aimed at kids for once.”

This year, McDonald’s has competition in the Halloween-themed bucket category.

On Sept. 30, Tim Hortons announced its Halloween menu which includes a pair of glow-in-the-dark trick-or-treat buckets which can be purchased empty or filled with Timbits, the chain’s take on doughnut holes.

Then, on Oct. 1, Dunkin’ announced its Halloween menu and merch collection, with a Halloween Munchkins Bucket joining the mix. The chain’s reusable trick-or-treating bucket can be filled with a 50-count assortment of Munchkins Donut Hole Treats and will be available at Dunkin’ shops nationwide starting Oct. 16.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com