Once again, Netflix is ​​milking Stranger Things’ golden goose for more merchandise before season 5 finally arrives

We’ve all heard the story of the golden goose, in which a seemingly mundane object becomes the source of wealth and prosperity. Well, Netflix has certainly found their latest golden goose in the form of Stranger Things and they’re going to make just as much money from the brand before season five arrives next year and ultimately ends the series. The streamer is mounting a massive marketing push, including new Stranger Things products from Pandora, Peloton and Squishmallows.

If it feels like we’ve been talking about Stranger Things’ product tie-ins recently, that’s because we have. Just two months ago, Bath & Body Works sold us fragrances based on the unknowable aromas of the Upside Down and a Demogorgon. Now, Netflix is ​​creating a Peloton Lanebreak level based on Stranger Things (presumably titled Running Up That Hill?), a new selection of Squishmallows versions of characters from the series, and Pandora charms to add to your wrist. This is in addition to the Polly Pocket playset just released and the scented candle collection mentioned above.

Hey, we get it; Netflix sees the end of Stranger Things as the death of the golden goose that spawned a mountain of merchandise for the streamer. When the final season airs in 2025, it will potentially cut off a significant revenue stream for them, so they need to milk it to the fullest until then. While this could potentially dilute the brand and land Stranger Things season five with the impact of a wet noodle, it does do the trick in keeping the show in the public’s consciousness in the months leading up to the final episode. A kind of marketing promotion that eventually pays for itself – at least until we’re so overwhelmed by the merchandise that we forget about the golden goose altogether.