Summary (tl;dr)

The keywords "McDonald's" and "cars" are currently trending due to a global Happy Meal promotion featuring collectible Formula 1 racing cars tied to a new movie, alongside recent viral social media attention for a unique, custom-built "Ronald McDonald boot car" in the United States.

Essential Background

McDonald's has a long-standing history of popular promotional toy giveaways, frequently partnering with major entertainment franchises such as Disney Pixar's "Cars" for Happy Meal releases in 2006 and 2022. The fast-food giant also engages in creative and localized marketing campaigns involving custom vehicles, such as the "Big V Car" in China in mid-2024 to promote a new chicken product and special collector-focused toy releases like the high-quality Tomica cars in Japan in 2024.

The Full Story

As of late December 2025, a significant buzz surrounds McDonald's with a dual-pronged trending phenomenon linking the brand to cars. Firstly, McDonald's is running a major 2025 Formula 1-themed promotion globally, tied to an upcoming Brad Pitt-led F1 movie. This campaign offers 1:64 scale collectible F1 cars, licensed by Hot Wheels and F1, as part of Happy Meals and an exclusive "F1 The Movie Combo" for adults, drawing interest from both children and nostalgic collectors eager to acquire the six unique car models. The promotion, active in various countries including Mexico and Brazil, is generating a "fever pitch" of excitement as it coincides with the movie's release schedule.

Concurrently, a distinct event gained widespread attention through a viral TikTok video in April 2025, showcasing a custom, street-legal vehicle shaped like a giant Ronald McDonald boot. This unique car, originally commissioned by a Houston McDonald's location in 2002 for local community events and parades, was spotted being driven on a Houston highway, captivating social media users and further fueling the "McDonald's" and "cars" trend.

Why It Matters

This trend underscores McDonald's continued ability to generate broad cultural engagement through its innovative marketing strategies. The F1 car promotion leverages global sports and entertainment to attract a diverse customer base, including a significant adult collector market, thereby boosting sales and brand visibility. The viral "Ronald McDonald boot car" highlights the power of unique, nostalgic, and often whimsical brand elements to capture public imagination and create organic social media discussion. Both instances reinforce McDonald's omnipresence in popular culture and its capacity to connect with consumers beyond traditional dining experiences, creating memorable interactions and driving interest.

Geographic Location

• Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States (viral video of Ronald McDonald boot car sighting)