The Further
‘Stranger Things: Tales from 85’ Getting a McDonald’s Happy Meal Next Month
Netflix just launched the brand new animated series “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85” today, and we’ve learned that a collaboration with McDonald’s is on the way next month.
Netflix and McDonald’s are joining forces to launch a special “Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85″ Happy Meal, a global campaign starting this spring and summer that enlists fans to join the crew for a brand-new monster-fighting adventure. The Happy Meal launches in the US May 5!
“Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85” returns to the iconic world of Hawkins, Indiana, this time unlike anything you’ve seen before. Familiar faces of the beloved Hawkins gang fight new monsters and unravel paranormal mysteries – with the same heightened stakes and ‘80s nostalgia that made the original series a global phenomenon.
Mysterious monsters have spread across Hawkins – and now the creatures have taken over a beloved local hangout: McDonald’s. Luckily, Dustin and the gang have formed the Hawkins Investigators Club, but they can’t defeat this new threat alone. That’s where you come in.
To bring the mission to life, a campaign spanning linear, digital and social uses original animation drawn directly from the show’s distinctive visual style in commercials that drop fans right into the heart of the action. Every touchpoint is designed to make you feel like part of the crew.
Help save Hawkins (and McDonald’s) from the monsters threatening to take over by scanning the QR code included with every Happy Meal to play an interactive game where you come face to face with the creature.
What’s included in the “Stranger Things” McDonald’s Happy Meal?
“Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85” Happy Meals include:
- A custom “Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85″-inspired Happy Meal box
- One of 9 (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
The Upside Down has never felt so close… or so delicious.
What is “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85”?
Here’s the official synopsis: “Set in the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town, and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days.
“But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely?”
All 10 episodes of “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85” are now streaming on Netflix.
The Further
Killer Shorts Horror Writing Competition Open NOW With New Category for Feature Screenplays!
The annual genre competition dedicated to finding and launching the next generation of horror writing talent, this year’s Killer Shorts is now officially open for entries!
Founded in 2019, Killer Shorts has established itself as a premier industry launchpad. The competition connects screenwriters and prose authors directly with the executives, managers, and producers who actively greenlight and option dark genre cinema.
But this year’s competition isn’t only about killer horror shorts…
For this brand new season, Killer Shorts is expanding its categories to include feature-length screenplays alongside its traditional short script, one-page script, and short story divisions.
The Top 10 finalists across all categories are evaluated by an elite industry jury composed of over a dozen horror legends, literary managers, and producers. The panel includes:
- Barbara Crampton (Horror Icon, Actress & Producer — Jakob’s Wife, Suitable Flesh)
- John Zaozirny (Literary Manager & Producer, Bellevue Productions)
- Tananarive Due (Author, Producer & Horror Historian)
- Lucas Ford (Producer, Ford Films — The Backrooms)
- John Squires (Editor-in-Chief, Bloody Disgusting)
- Sophie Carroll (Creative Director, ALTER & DUST at Gunpowder & Sky)
- Gigi Saul Guerrero (Director & Co-Founder, Luchagore Productions)
- Aaron B. Koontz (Producer & CEO, Paper Street Pictures)
Yes, yours truly is joining the Killer Shorts judging panel for the first time ever!
Killer Shorts has a proven track record of transitioning undiscovered writers into working professionals. Alumni success stories include Season 2 finalist Vanessa Võ, who signed with Bellevue Productions, and Season 3 finalist Kelly Nugent, who secured representation at Wonder Street.
Additionally, screenplays submitted for coverage that receive a “Recommend” rating qualify for inclusion on The Scream List. This real-time tracking board is monitored by top-tier genre companies, including Screambox, Raven Banner Entertainment, Zero Gravity Management, and Grey Matter Productions.
Submissions will be accepted across all major platforms, including the official Killer Shorts website, Scrybe, Stage 32, FilmFreeway, and Network ISA.
For full guidelines, prize breakdowns, and submission details, visit the official website!
You must be logged in to post a comment.