The Upside Down hits McDonald’s. The new Stranger Things Happy Meals launch on May 5 with exclusive character toys and an interactive Hawkins digital game.
Something “strange” is coming to a drive-thru near you. Following the recent premiere of the animated spinoff series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, McDonald’s has officially confirmed a massive collaboration, Stranger Things Happy Meals. Starting May 5, 2026, fans in the United States can grab a limited-edition Happy Meal that transports their lunch straight into the Upside Down.
What’s Inside the Stranger Things Happy Meals Box?
According to reports, the Stranger Things Happy Meals collaboration is more than just a themed box. The “Tales From ’85” Happy Meals will feature:
- A custom Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85-inspired Happy Meal box
- One of 12 (depending on market) collectible character toys
- A Stranger Things activity book
- A QR code that unlocks a digital experience and interactive game where fans help save Hawkins (and McDonald’s) from the monsters
Nostalgia Meets the Upside Down
Set between Seasons 2 and 3, the new series follows Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and the rest of the crew, including newcomer Nikki Baxter, as they face paranormal threats during a freezing winter in Indiana. All Hallows Geek notes that the partnership leans heavily into ’80s iconography, a cornerstone for both the Netflix franchise and the fast-food giant.
The World of Tales From ‘85
Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 returns to the iconic world of Hawkins, Indiana, this time, unlike anything you’ve seen before, according to Netflix. Familiar faces of the gang fight new monsters and unravel paranormal mysteries – with the same heightened stakes and ‘80s nostalgia that made the original series a global phenomenon. That spirit of adventure and childhood camaraderie made McDonald’s the perfect partner to bring it all to life. Netflix asks: “What better way to invite a new generation of Stranger Things fans into Hawkins than through one of the most iconic cornerstones of the ‘80s?”
Stranger Things Happy Meal Global Availability
- April 28: Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Slovenia
- April 29: Uruguay, Belgium
- April 30: Venezuela, Singapore, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine
- May 1: Norway, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Taiwan
- May 1 – May 28: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- May: Cyprus
- May 5: United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, France, Caribbean Islands (Aruba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, Trinidad, and the Bahamas), Costa Rica
- May 6: Poland
- May 7: Austria, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Fiji, New Zealand, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland
- May 8: Portugal, Thailand
- May 9: Greece, Malta
- May 11: Finland
- May 12: Denmark
- May 13: Morocco
- May 15: Italy
- May 22: Philippines
- June 1: India
- August 27: Korea
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
Expertise. Ease. Value.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
