Funko Pop x Stranger Things

One of the most consistent and enduring collaborations in the world of art toys is the partnership between toy designers and the wider universe of cinema, television, and animation. In honour of upcoming film, TV, and cartoon releases, this three-part series explores how these cross-industry collaborations come to life, how they strengthen fan cultures, and how they benefit both the entertainment and art-toy worlds.

This article is the first in a three-part series exploring:

🔹Collaboration with TV-series: Funko Pop x Stranger Things (this post)
🔹Collaboration with film: Wicked x Funko Pop & Wicked x Mattel
🔹Collaboration with animated films: K-Pop Demon Hunters and the missed opportunities in art-toy collaborations

This week, we begin with one of the most iconic partnerships of the last decade: Funko Pop x Stranger Things.

Why Funko Pop Dominates Media Collaborations

When it comes to collaborations between visual media and art toys, Funko Pop is the first brand that comes to mind. If you love a film or a TV show—no matter how obscure—there is a very high chance that a Funko Pop figure exists for it. Their reach, accessibility, and ability to translate any character into their signature stylised form have made them a cultural staple.

Among art-toy collectors, Funko Pops often spark debate. Many “serious” collectors dismiss them as mass-market merchandise rather than true art pieces. However, it’s essential to recognize that for many fans, Funko Pops are an affordable and accessible entry point into the world of art toys. Shunning potential new collectors with snobbery only hurts the community. Pop culture toys expand the audience—not diminish it.

Funko Pop x Stranger Things: A Match Made in the Upside Down

Funko has collaborated extensively with Stranger Things, producing one of its largest and most beloved collections. Over the years, almost every major character, monster, and iconic moment from the series has been immortalised in Pop form.

Main Funko Pop Stranger Things Collections Include:

🔹Season 1 lineup (Eleven with Eggos, Demogorgon, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, etc.)
🔹Season 2 characters (Ghostbusters costumes, Hopper with vines, Max, Billy)
🔹Season 3 mall era (Scoops Ahoy Steve & Robin, Battle Eleven)
🔹Season 4 releases (Eddie Munson, Vecna, Argyle, Surfer Boy Pizza van)

Deluxe sets such as the Build-A-Scene collections and more.

The range is massive, often selling out instantly and later becoming highly collectible—minimal variants, store exclusives, and early-season releases. This is what makes a collaboration with a series so fruitful - as each new season comes, so do the new versions of the characters.

Why This Collaboration Works So Well

Stranger Things thrives on nostalgia, character-driven storytelling, and monster design—elements that translate perfectly into stylised vinyl collectibles. Funko’s expressive, simplified shapes exaggerate the show’s most memorable visual traits: Eleven’s telekinetic stare, Dustin’s trucker hat, Eddie’s iconic guitar stance, or Vecna’s gnarly silhouette.

For fans, these toys act as tangible anchors to a story that has become a defining cultural moment of the 2010s and 2020s.

As the Final Season Approaches…

With the Stranger Things final season just around the corner, the Funko Pop line offers fans a heartfelt way to commemorate the show’s legacy. Whether you’re a long-time collector or someone buying your first Pop, these figures capture the evolution of the characters, the story, and the emotional journey we’ve all taken through Hawkins and the Upside Down.