Nostalgia isn’t just good for your emotions—it helps businesses too.
Toys, Memories, and McDonald’s New Strategy
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This story connects McDonald’s, Minecraft, and personal memories.
My grandfather passed away many years ago. He was what people now call “old-school”—a Canadian World War II veteran who loved hockey and boxing. He had a kind heart but traditional views.
One thing I clearly remember is how he expected his grandsons to enjoy the same activities he did as a child. My brothers and I played hockey and baseball, but we also loved our Star Wars toys.
“It’s beautiful outside. Why play with your little toys and dolls?” he would joke.
“They’re not dolls!” we would answer. “They’re action figures!”
My brothers and I still laugh about this today. One of my brothers even ended up working in the toy industry.
What’s interesting is how times have changed—many adults now happily collect toys. This is where McDonald’s latest promotion comes in.
McDonald’s Teams Up With Minecraft
This week, McDonald’s announced a partnership with the new Minecraft movie coming out on April 1, offering:
- For kids: “A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal” with one of 12 movie-inspired toys
- For adults: “A Minecraft Movie Meal” featuring a Big Mac or 10-piece McNuggets, medium fries, drink, and a special collectible item
This marks the first time McDonald’s has created two different meals for the same promotion.
McDonald’s marketing often relies on parents’ fond memories of their childhood McDonald’s experiences. This promotion combines the traditional kids’ Happy Meal with an adult version (though they don’t call it a “Happy Meal” for grown-ups).
The adult meal includes a “limited-edition collectible”—essentially a toy for grown-ups—with six different options based on McDonald’s menu items and characters.
Digital Bonuses and Business Strategy
Each meal also comes with a matching card and code that unlocks exclusive character skins in the Minecraft Marketplace.
Jennifer “JJ” Healan, McDonald’s VP of U.S. marketing, explained that many McDonald’s fans were already creating McDonald’s restaurants in Minecraft before this partnership:
“We built upon what they started and created a completely immersive experience with custom Minecraft movie meals in our restaurants and collectibles that unlock special in-game features. Every part of this campaign will feel familiar to both McDonald’s and Minecraft fans.”
This promotion is part of McDonald’s effort to bring families back after disappointing U.S. sales last quarter. The company has faced challenges for over a year, which it attributes to economic anxiety, and has responded with deals like the $5 meal.
The Power of Nostalgia
McDonald’s skilled use of nostalgia reminds me of another childhood memory: when my grandfather watched me hit two inside-the-park home runs in a Little League game. He was proud, and so was I.
Psychologists say memories like these improve our mental well-being. And as McDonald’s knows, nostalgia can also be good for business.
Watch Our Video on McDonald’s Marketing Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the McDonald’s Minecraft promotion begin? The promotion begins with the release of the Minecraft movie on April 1, 2025.
What comes in the adult Minecraft meal? The adult meal includes either a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a drink, and one of six limited-edition collectibles.
Can I get the Minecraft collectibles without buying the meal? McDonald’s has not announced any way to obtain the collectibles separately from the meals.
How many different collectibles are available? There are six different collectibles for adults and 12 different toys for the kids’ Happy Meals.
Do the collectibles have any value in the Minecraft game? Yes, each meal comes with a code to unlock exclusive character skins in the Minecraft Marketplace.
Why is McDonald’s creating promotions like this? McDonald’s is working to increase sales and bring families back to their restaurants after experiencing disappointing quarterly results.
Keywords: McDonald’s Minecraft promotion, nostalgic marketing, adult collectibles, Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s business strategy, McDonald’s Minecraft partnership, limited-edition McDonald’s collectibles, Minecraft movie tie-in
