Grimace—McDonald’s lovable, purple, jellybean-shaped mascot—started off as a villain with four arms and a milkshake obsession, but quickly transformed into one of the brand’s most endearing characters. With his dopey grin, kind heart, and childlike wonder, Grimace has often upstaged Ronald McDonald and the rest of the McDonaldland crew in commercials. Whether he was bumbling through a scene or becoming the center of a viral campaign decades later, Grimace has a way of winning attention without even trying. Here are the top 10 times Grimace stole the show in McDonald’s ads.
#1: The Grimace Shake Viral Takeover (2023)
In 2023, McDonald’s released a purple milkshake in celebration of Grimace’s birthday—and it spiraled into a full-blown social media phenomenon. What started as a cute tribute turned into a bizarre TikTok trend, where users filmed themselves taking a sip of the shake… then cutting to chaotic horror-like scenes. The juxtaposition of Grimace’s wholesome image with the eerie videos gave the mascot an ironic, unexpected edge. McDonald’s embraced the absurdity with tongue-in-cheek birthday messages and even acknowledged the trend. Grimace didn’t say a word, but the internet crowned him king of chaos. It proved that even decades after his peak, Grimace could go viral just by existing—and his legacy as a lovable oddball was stronger than ever.
#2: Grimace’s First Transformation from Villain to Hero
Originally introduced in 1971 as “Evil Grimace,” he had four arms and a plan to steal everyone’s milkshakes. But that version didn’t last long. McDonald’s quickly rebranded him as a sweet, simple creature with just two arms and a permanently dopey grin. In commercials throughout the ’70s and ’80s, this friendlier Grimace was seen helping Ronald, playing with kids, and getting into innocent trouble. The transformation was so effective that viewers forgot he was ever a bad guy. It was a brilliant branding pivot—and suddenly, Grimace was stealing the spotlight not with mischief, but with pure, unfiltered joy.
#3: The “Grimace Learns to Skate” Commercial
One of the most charming Grimace moments came in a McDonald’s ad where he tries to learn how to roller skate. Clumsy and clearly out of his element, Grimace stumbles, wobbles, and crashes—but never gives up. Ronald encourages him throughout, but it’s Grimace’s sheer determination and goofy expressions that steal the scene. By the end, he’s skating confidently, arms flailing with excitement. The ad wasn’t just funny—it was a heartwarming lesson in persistence. Kids related to Grimace’s awkwardness, and adults couldn’t help but root for him. In a cast full of wild characters, Grimace made falling down look like a victory.
#4: Grimace’s Star Role in “The Legend of Grimace Island.”
This 1999 direct-to-video special was Grimace’s shining moment. In The Legend of Grimace Island, Ronald and friends go on a quest to discover Grimace’s origins. It turns out there’s a whole island of purple Grimace-like creatures, and Grimace’s heritage is revealed. Suddenly, he wasn’t just comic relief—he was the emotional heart of the story. With themes of belonging and self-discovery, the special gave Grimace real depth. It marked a rare moment where the McDonaldland universe shifted its focus away from Ronald and let Grimace take center stage. For fans, it remains one of the few times the purple mascot got the serious treatment—and he handled it like a star.
#5: Grimace and the Fry Kids Chaos
In several ‘80s and ‘90s commercials, Grimace frequently found himself paired with the energetic and mischievous Fry Kids—fuzzy, googly-eyed creatures obsessed with French fries. The contrast between Grimace’s slow, gentle nature and the hyperactive Fry Kids created perfect comedic timing. One memorable spot had Grimace trying to protect his fries from the gang, only to end up tangled in a pile of fuzzballs and laughter. He never seemed angry—just confused and amused. These interactions solidified Grimace as the gentle giant of McDonaldland, always down for fun even if he didn’t quite understand what was going on. His cluelessness was his superpower.
#6: Grimace’s Drive-Thru Meltdown
In one of the funniest McDonald’s commercials from the late ‘90s, Grimace attempts to place an order at the drive-thru. It sounds simple, but for Grimace, nothing ever is. His booming voice causes the speaker to distort, he keeps changing his mind about what he wants, and at one point, he tries to order fifty milkshakes. The chaos escalates until Ronald appears and helps him calm down and simplify the order. The brilliance of this ad wasn’t just in the slapstick—it was the way Grimace’s sweet confusion turned a basic transaction into comic gold. His expressive face, bumbling behavior, and enormous appetite made the commercial feel like a sitcom in thirty seconds. By the end, you weren’t thinking about the food—you were thinking about how lovable Grimace is.
#7: The McDonaldland Picnic Disaster
In a popular ’80s ad, the entire McDonaldland crew gathers for a picnic—but things quickly go off the rails when Grimace accidentally sits on the sandwiches. The moment is pure slapstick: he plops down with a satisfied sigh, only for Ronald to shriek in horror as mayo and lettuce burst from beneath him. What makes it even funnier is Grimace’s reaction—completely oblivious, he just smiles and starts humming. The rest of the crew tries to recover, but the damage is done. Grimace stole the show by doing what he does best: unintentionally causing chaos with a grin. It was a reminder that even among colorful characters, Grimace could deliver a punchline just by sitting down.
#8: Grimace’s Toy Commercials in Happy Meals
Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Grimace appeared in numerous Happy Meal toy commercials—and often, he was the highlight. Whether it was a tiny Grimace on wheels or a purple figurine with moving arms, the ads always leaned into his goofy, lovable energy. In one spot, a Grimace toy accidentally causes a chain reaction of destruction—knocking over fries, launching ketchup packets, and making Ronald slip. The whole scene was an exaggerated domino effect, and Grimace’s innocent “Oops!” at the end sealed the deal. Even as a toy, Grimace had a way of stealing attention with physical comedy and sheer charm. Kids didn’t just want the meal—they wanted the Grimace figure.
#9: Grimace’s Birthday Bash Commercials
Long before the 2023 Grimace Shake campaign, McDonald’s ran a series of birthday-themed ads for Grimace throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s. These commercials often featured Grimace receiving over-the-top presents, cakes as big as him, and heartfelt messages from the rest of the McDonaldland gang. One particularly memorable spot had Grimace attempting to blow out candles—only to inhale instead and suck up the entire cake. The ad ends with everyone laughing and Grimace sheepishly grinning with frosting on his face. These birthday ads solidified his place as more than a side character—they made him the emotional core of the crew. In a world where Ronald was the leader, Grimace was the heart.
#10: Grimace’s Classic “Milkshake Obsession” Commercial
In an early commercial that helped define his new post-villain personality, Grimace is shown gleefully slurping up milkshakes from several cups at once, each straw placed in a different corner of his smiling mouth. When Ronald and friends arrive, Grimace tries to hide his milkshake stash, leading to a hilarious game of hide-and-seek across McDonaldland. His love for milkshakes became a defining trait, and this ad nailed it—fun, chaotic, and dripping with purple personality. Even though he didn’t speak much, every shrug, sip, and stumble told you exactly who Grimace was. His obsession was endearing, not greedy, and it gave him a clear role in the brand’s lore: the milkshake-loving gentle giant who lives for joy.
Grimace may have started out as a milkshake thief with four arms, but he evolved into one of the most memorable—and unexpectedly iconic—mascots in fast food history. From viral moments and emotional specials to laugh-out-loud commercials, Grimace has a unique ability to steal the spotlight without saying much at all. His lovable simplicity, chaotic energy, and timeless design continue to win fans across generations. In a fast-food world of flashy campaigns and ever-changing gimmicks, Grimace proves that sometimes, the soft-spoken sidekick is the one we remember most.
