A Stranger Things toy range will be released before season two

A few short month separate us from Stranger Things season two, so what better way to get excited than a brand new collection of figures, including Eleven and the gang?

Stranger Things was a phenomenal hit when it made its way to Netflix last summer. Ever since, fans have been eager to see what transpired after the day was (seemingly) saved during the show’s finale and Demogorgon defeated.

What was left wide open was Will’s physical and emotional state after being in the Upside Down for so long… and there’s the small issue of him still having a connection to the other world which will no doubt play out in future episodes.

With a growing collection of Pop! Vinyl models already available, Funko are about to release two toy sets in the style of the retro-mould action figures that’ve seen previous lines for Alien, Suicide Squad, and most recently Twin Peaks.

So, the two sets each contain three figures and obviously they’re all essential. One’s got Eleven, Mike, and Lucas, while the other includes Will, Dustin, and the terrifying Demogorgon.

The sets are released on 31 August at £17.99 each, which isn’t too steep considering the Twin Peaks 4-piece is around £30. So they’ll be with us two months before Netflix gifts us season two (ready for Halloween no less) and should sufficiently whet our appetites until the end of October.

Season two picks up in 1984: in the New Year following the disturbing events that saw Will go missing and dimensions colliding. The trailer, frankly, looks brilliant. But don’t take my word for it…

With the gang (plus a few new faces) back on our screens, the premise seems to have exploded into a much bigger, more epic narrative that’s got everything from Ghostbusters nods to giant War of the Worlds-type nasties.

The big question is will it live up the hype and quality of the first season?

Truth is no one knows much about season two’s plot, with most of the info deciphered from the trailer. Eleven, as we all figured, is back but we’re not sure how early she reenters the fray and exactly how. If the show’s producers have any sense it’ll be ASAP because Millie Bobby Brown is not only the show’s biggest breakthrough star but her character, Eleven, is awesome. Sooner rather than later, I predict.

Sheriff Hopper is back, but in what capacity we’re not quite sure. Is he now working for the government: the dangerous organisation that released the Demogorgon and experimented on Eleven? Has he gone rogue, or still the nice guy we once knew and admired?

Either way, Stranger Things season two is arguably Netflix’s most anticipated returning show. In fact, it’s probably, alongside Game of Thrones, the most sought-after return in television.

Stranger Things season two returns to Netflix on 27 October; the Funko collections are released on 31 August.

Are you looking forward to new Stranger Things? Do you collect the show’s merch? Share your thoughts below…