Netflix and McDonald's Join Forces to Promote New 'Stranger Things' Spin-Off
Los Gatos, Saturday, 25 April 2026.
To drive subscriber retention, Netflix is pairing its new Stranger Things spin-off with a global McDonald’s Happy Meal rollout, showcasing the power of fast-food cross-promotion in streaming wars.
Expanding the ‘Stranger Things’ Universe
Following the conclusion of the original “Stranger Things” series on New Year’s Eve in 2025 [4], Netflix (NFLX) has pivoted to expanding its lucrative franchise through new mediums [GPT]. All 10 episodes of the new animated spin-off, “Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85,” are currently streaming on the platform [1]. Set in the winter of 1985, the narrative bridges the chronological gap between the first and second seasons of the original show [4]. Helmed by showrunner Eric Robles and executive produced by the Duffer Brothers [1], the series reunites audiences with beloved characters such as Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max [1].
A Phased Global Rollout
The international deployment of the “Tales From ‘85” Happy Meal is structured as a phased rollout spanning from April through August 2026 [2][3]. The campaign officially kicks off on April 28, 2026, debuting in markets including Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Peru, and Slovenia [2]. Subsequently, the promotion will launch in the United States on May 5, 2026, where it will replace the current “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” Happy Meal [4]. Following the U.S. release, the campaign will continue to expand in the subsequent weeks to additional regions such as Singapore, Norway, Australia, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and India [1][4].
Synergies in Corporate Strategy
This latest collaboration underscores a deepening relationship between Netflix and McDonald’s, highlighting how streaming services are increasingly utilizing traditional retail footprints for marketing [GPT]. The “Stranger Things” campaign follows closely on the heels of another joint venture between the two corporations; in March 2026, McDonald’s launched a “KPop Demon Hunters” menu [2]. That earlier promotion featured specialized items such as the Saja Boys Breakfast Meal and the HUNTR/X Meal, complete with Ramyeon McShaker Fries and limited-edition sauces [2].