McDonald's launches new Stranger Things Happy Meals

McDonald’s is championing the next chapter of Stranger Things with a brand-new Happy Meal collaboration, officially introducing fans to the Hawkins Investigators Club.

We may have waved goodbye to Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Noah Schnapp with the conclusion of season five in January, but the animated world of Hawkins is just getting started.

Today (23 April), Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 launches, sharing a spooky Indiana-based tale set between the second and third outings of the original Netflix programme.

Eleven (voiced by Brooklyn Davey Nordstedt) and her friends, including Lucas Sinclair (Elisha Williams), Max Mayfield (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), and newcomer Nikki Baxter (Odessa A’zion), confront monsters from the Upside Down and ‘unravel a paranormal mystery terrorising their town’, as per a press release.

The new animated spin-off show is available to stream now on Netflix (Netflix)

To celebrate the launch, McDonald’s is offering fans the chance to collect 12 toys in Happy Meals, with two new characters being rolled out every week.

The Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85-themed boxes will also feature an activity book and a QR code that unlocks an interactive game that involves saving Hawkins from monsters, as per People Magazine.

According to the fast-food juggernaut, the Stranger Things McDonald’s campaign is designed to ‘harness young fans’ sense of adventure to activate a new monster-fighting crew.

“In the world of Tales from '85, mysterious monsters have spread across town, and now they've taken over the local hangout: McDonald's,” a press release stated, as per the publication.

“Luckily, Dustin and the gang have formed the Hawkins Investigators Club, but they can't defeat this new threat alone. That's where the fans come in.”

TV-lovers can get their hands on the exclusive Stranger Things McDonald’s Happy Meal from Tuesday 5 May in the United States.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is rolling into McDonald's next month (McDonald's)

If you’re desperate for a dopamine rush this week, then the Super Mario Happy Meal is still available to lucky dip.

The collaboration, in honour of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releasing in theatres, features 12 collectable, clipable toys featuring your favourite Ninendo characters.

The line-up includes Birdo, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Bowser Jr. from 2023’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Luigi in a Frog Suit, Luma, Mario, Mario with Fire Flower, Princess Peach, Rosalina, Toad, and Yoshi.

Earlier this month, McDonald’s launched its new ‘under $3’ value menu, featuring main menu favourites including the McDouble, alongside breakfast items such as the Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Biscuit and Sausage Burrito.

The McDonald's Value menu launched earlier this month, featuring fan-favourite items (McDonald's)

The Value item also introduced a $5 McChicken meal, featuring the entreé as well as four-piece McNuggets, small fries, and a small soft drink.

There is also now a $4 Value breakfast deal on offer, consisting of a Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit with Hash Browns and a small McCafé Premium Roast Coffee.

Speaking about the company’s commitment to delivering affordable options to customers, Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald's USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, said: “As our customers' expectations evolve, we're making it easier for them to get the value they're looking for -- on their terms.

"McValue offers more choice, more flexibility and more ways to build a meal that fits their day and budget.”