Stranger Things Funkos: When the Upside Down Spills Into Your Wallet (Again!)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
As *Stranger Things* gears up for its final season, Funko is unleashing a 'massive wave' of new Pop! figures, from main characters to deep-cut exclusives, Pop! Rides, and Keychains. Jeff delves into the phenomenon of physical collectibles, the thrill of the hunt for retail exclusives, and how the impending finale drives this impressive (and expensive!) merchandise push.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're trying to contain a minor magical mishap, and then suddenly the whole bloody reality starts unraveling because someone muttered the wrong incantation? That's kinda what it feels like when Funko decides to unleash another 'massive wave' of Pop! figures. And guess what? This time, it's the final season of *Stranger Things* that's conjuring the plastic hoard.
Now, before you go thinking I'm just here to throw shade at our beloved collectible overlords, let's be real: *Stranger Things* is a cultural phenomenon. It's the kind of show that grabs you by the nostalgia strings and drags you back to the '80s, complete with D&D, epic friendships, and terrifying interdimensional monsters. So, it's only natural that as the final season approaches, we're going to see a veritable avalanche of merchandise. But 'massive wave' is putting it mildly, isn't it? It's less a wave and more like the Upside Down itself just decided to manifest as a Funko Pop! factory explosion.
We're talking about a lineup that's going to make collectors dust off their 'display more shelves' spellbook. Funko's gone and unveiled a whole new roster of *Stranger Things Season 5*-themed Pop! figures, set to hit shelves this fall. You’ve got your mainstays, naturally. Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington (everyone’s favourite reluctant babysitter), Eleven, Dustin Henderson – the usual gang's all here, looking suitably iconic in their big-headed, black-eyed glory. But then they start digging deeper, don't they? Holly Wheeler? Mate, that’s next-level deep lore for a Pop!, which honestly, I'm kinda impressed by. It shows they're really mining the depths of Hawkins.
Then there's the usual suspects like Mike Wheeler, Jim Hopper, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, and Joyce Byers. All essential, all expected. But this is where the plot thickens, or rather, where the hunt begins: the exclusives. Oh, the sweet, sweet torment of the exclusives! Derek, whoever he may be (I'm genuinely curious – a new character for Season 5, or a blink-and-you-miss-it background hero from previous seasons that Funko has decided needs immortalising?), is an Amazon Exclusive. Eleven gets a separate Walmart Exclusive, because, of course, the show’s star needs more than one plastic iteration. And Target? They’re snagging Robin Buckley and another Lucas Sinclair. It's like a multi-store scavenger hunt, isn't it? A quest for the ultimate collection, forcing us digital wizards to brave the wilds of retail for that one elusive piece. Fair dinkum, it’s a strategy as old as time, and yet, it always works.
But wait, there's more! Because just standard Pop! figures aren't enough to capture the entire *Stranger Things* universe, are they? We're also getting Pop! Keychain figurines for Robin, Steve, Dustin, and Eleven – perfect for dangling off your backpack or car keys, announcing your fandom to the world (or at least, the person next to you on the bus). Then there’s the pièce de résistance for some: a Pop! Rides set featuring Steve in his car. Because what’s a hero without his ride? And naturally, there's a Target-exclusive Deluxe version for those who truly commit. And finally, a Pop! Town set of Rockin' Robin w/ The Squawk. I confess, 'The Squawk' has me intrigued. Is it a pet? A nickname? A band? The lore deepens, and my curiosity is officially piqued.
Prices are pretty standard for Funko fare: $14.99 for the regular Pops, $4.99 for keychains, and then jumping up for the Rides ($24.99 to $29.99) and Town sets ($34.99). It adds up, doesn't it? A whole lot of little plastic figures can turn into a serious chunk of change. It makes you wonder, in this age of digital ownership and virtual collectibles, what is it about these physical manifestations of our favourite characters that still holds such sway? Is it the tangible connection to a beloved story? The thrill of the hunt? Or perhaps the simple joy of displaying a physical testament to your fandom on your shelf? I reckon it's a bit of all three.
And let's not forget the reason for all this plastic fantastic-ness: the final season of *Stranger Things* itself. Netflix is dropping this epic conclusion in three parts, like a finely aged bottle of D&D lore. Volume 1 lands on November 26th, Volume 2 on Christmas Day (what a present!), and The Finale itself on New Year's Eve. Talk about ending the year with a bang! Each volume drops at 5pm PT, giving us ample time to dive in. It's a clever move, stretching out the anticipation, giving fans time to digest each chapter before the next. And, of course, giving Funko even more runway to get these new figures into our eager hands.
So, what does this all mean for us curious gamers and collectors? Well, it means our shelves are about to get a whole lot more crowded. It means the hunt for those elusive retailer exclusives is on. And it means, above all else, that the cultural impact of *Stranger Things* is going out with a bang, a crash, and a whole bloody lot of tiny, plastic, big-headed figures. Are these 'revolutionary' collectibles? Nah, not really. But do they tap into a genuine enthusiasm for a cracking good story and the characters we've come to love? Absolutely. And sometimes, mate, that's enough to accidentally blow a hole through your wallet – and maybe, just maybe, reality too.
*Original reporting by Jesse Schedeen for IGN South Africa.*
Tags: collectibles, funkopop, strangerthings, fandom, merchandise
Original article: IGN South Africa