General Mills Revives 4 Iconic Monster Cereals

Monster cereal enthusiasts, get ready with your bowls and spoons! General Mills, renowned for iconic brands like Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Lucky Charms, has reintroduced its seasonal monster cereals in a limited-edition run. This includes favorites like Franken Berry, Count Chocula, Boo-Berry, and the long-awaited return of Frute Brute after almost ten years!

Renowned American artist and monster fan KAWS joined the excitement by designing the cereal boxes for all four varieties. Each design pays homage to the nostalgic imagery that has been a staple of the American breakfast experience for over 50 years.

History of the Monster Cereals

These whimsically spooky cereals trace their origins to the early 1970s when the legendary Count Chocula and Franken Berry burst onto the breakfast scene, captivating children and parents alike. As the sole chocolate and strawberry-flavored cereals available at the time, they quickly became household favorites.

In 1972, Boo-Berry joined the lineup, introducing the world to the first blueberry-flavored cereal.

General Mills boosted the cereals' popularity with "frightfully fun" marketing campaigns, featuring everything from toys inside the boxes to animated TV ads during children's shows. The company also highlighted the cereals' nutritional benefits to parents, further driving sales and enthusiasm for the brand.

Frute Brute (originally Fruit Brute) debuted in 1974 but was discontinued in 1982. This year marks its return since 2013, completing the lineup of seasonal spooky cereals. If Frute Brute doesn't ring a bell, you might recall its cameos in several 1990s blockbusters, such as Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs."

Collaboration With KAWS

The monster cereal brand has a history of artist collaborations. In 1998, General Mills teamed up with Hillary Duff and "Casper the Friendly Ghost" for a promotional campaign tied to the "Casper Meets Wendy" movie. In 2014, DC Comics artists contributed by designing limited edition cereal box art for Boo-Berry, Count Chocula, and Franken Berry.

This year, KAWS, a devoted fan of the cereals and monster-themed art, partnered with the brand to create a limited series of collectible prizes available through a sweepstakes running until Dec. 1, 2022. Known for his work in paintings, murals, graphic design, and sculptures, KAWS has previously collaborated with major brands and artists like Disney, Sesame Street, and Peanuts. However, this marks his first venture into cereal box art.

"Collaborating with General Mills and Monster Cereals has been an incredible experience," KAWS stated in a press release. "I’ve adored these cereals since childhood. The original box designs still inspire me with their creativity and imagination."

Originally available year-round, the monster cereals transitioned to seasonal releases around Halloween starting in 2009.