McDonald's Opens the Gateway to the Upside Down in Iconic Campaign with Netflix's Stranger Things

Nov. 27, 2025

Strange things are happening at Méqui. To celebrate the launch of the final season of Stranger Things, McDonald’s is unveiling a new campaign designed to transport fans straight to Hawkins—or rather, to an upside-down version of Hawkins, where everything feels familiar but comes with a Méqui-sized craving. The adventure officially begins on November 25, when the campaign crafted by GALERIA.ag hits the screens and the Stranger Things menu arrives in restaurants across Brazil, turning every McDonald’s visit into an experience for those who love mystery, nostalgia and, of course, Méqui’s irresistible taste.

Ilca Sierra, Marketing Director for the Brazil Division at Arcos Dorados said:

“This collab between McDonald’s and Netflix for Stranger Things goes way beyond a simple partnership – it’s two universes coming together that people already have a real emotional connection with. Méqui has always been part of the conversations that count, whether on social media or in everyday life, and bringing that same warmth and nostalgia to a cultural hit like Stranger Things is really special. We blended flavor, 80s vibes and the atmosphere that defined a generation to create an experience that speaks straight to fans. It just proves that watching the show always feels more complete with Méqui."

 

The campaign brings a full 80s vibe and kicks off with a stunt where every McDonald’s sign in Brazil and in select countries across Latin America starts flickering, in a clear nod to the opening of the film, which feels like a “lost episode” of Stranger Things.

Beyond the film, the campaign unfolds inside a restaurant where classic arcade machines wrap around the ordering kiosks, turning the purchase moment into something truly magical. The brand’s flagship in São Paulo has also been completely taken over by the Upside Down.

In digital, the brand connects with fans through interactive experiences such as the McDonald’s app “Retrospective,” which analyzes your behavior and reveals what kind of adventurer you would be in the Stranger Things universe.

Rodrigo Marangoni, Executive Creative Director at GALERIA.ag said:

"This campaign works so well because it brings together two worlds that are already part of people’s everyday lives. When we realized that Méqui and Stranger Things share the same emotional territory, we understood we weren’t just making a film – we were building an experience that unfolds on every front. The magic happens when the story jumps off the screen and shows up in the restaurant, in the app, at the Drive-Thru, in delivery, on social media and in every sign people see along the way. Our role was to keep that energy flowing through every touchpoint, creating a kind of portal where nostalgia, food and imagination meet and amplify each other. That’s the moment a campaign stops being just a campaign and starts becoming culture. We had McDonald’s signs flickering across different regions of Brazil, restaurants bringing in arcade machines so people could place their orders, our flagship wrapped in an immersive experience inspired by the series, and some amazing new product innovations to top it all off."

 

The campaign will air nationwide on broadcast and cable TV, with extensions into OOH and across all of Méqui’s digital channels.

A menu straight out of the Upside Down

To take the experience to the next level, McDonald’s is launching a special menu with the kind of unexpected twist only Méqui can deliver. Fans can enjoy two sandwiches served on flipped buns: the Stranger Burger Sandwich, made with a 100% beef patty, and the Stranger Chicken Sandwich, made with a breaded 100% chicken breast fillet. Both are packed with signature maple barbecue sauce, crispy onions, bacon, cheddar cheese and mayonnaise. And to drink, the Hawkins McFloat combines Coca-Cola with a vanilla-flavored dairy topping.

Desserts include the Walkie Torta, Méqui’s classic pie now with a red berry filling and cocoa crust; the Scoops Sundae, topped with strawberry sauce, puffed rice and a spiced caramel-flavored topping; and the Code Red McColosso, available with chocolate or caramel sauce, puffed rice, spiced caramel-flavored topping and Biju Black wafer pieces.

Starting November 25, the full Stranger Things line-up will be available at all McDonald’s restaurants in Brazil via the Méqui app using Order and Pick Up, McDelivery, Drive-Thru, self-ordering kiosks or at the front counter. McDonald’s has also partnered exclusively with iFood to offer free delivery on Stranger Things McOferta orders.