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We’ve all heard the story of the golden goose, wherein 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 are going to get as much money out of the brand before season five comes along next year and finally ends the series. The streamer is setting up a massive marketing push that includes new Stranger Things products from Pandora, Peloton, and Squishmallows.

If it feels like we’ve talked about Stranger Things product tie-ins recently, it’s because we have. Just two months ago, Bath & Body Works was selling us scents 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 show, and Pandora charms to add to your wrist. This is in addition to the Polly Pocket playset that was 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 has spawned a mountain of merchandise for the streamer. When the final season airs in 2025, it will potentially close off a sizable income stream for them, so they need to milk it for all its worth until then. While doing so could potentially dilute the brand and make Stranger Things season five land with the impact of a wet noodle, it does do the job of keeping the show in the public’s consciousness in the months leading up to the final episode. Kind of like a marketing promotion that ends up paying for itself – at least until we’re so overwhelmed by the merch that we forget about the golden goose entirely.

As we all collectively wait for Stranger Things season 5, here's the keys to getting ready:

• How to watch Stranger Things in chronological or release order
• Getting to know the Stranger Things season 5 cast
• There needs to be more death in Stranger Things, says co-star Gaten Matarazzo
• The Stranger Things time jump between season 4 and 5 has been confirmed by Netflix - and it raises some serious questions
• "They land the plane," David Harbour describes the Stranger Things finale, which he calls its "best episode"