The Weirdest McDonald’s Collaborations in History

McDonald’s has always been at the forefront of marketing and collaborations, frequently surprising customers with unexpected partnerships that span across industries, pop culture, and even niche interests. Some of these collaborations have been memorable, strange, and at times, utterly bizarre. Whether it’s fashion, technology, or music, the fast-food giant has worked with all kinds of brands and personalities to create unique experiences and limited-edition items. Let’s dive into some of the weirdest McDonald’s collaborations in history.

1. McDonald’s x Travis Scott (2020)

The Travis Scott meal collaboration marked a significant moment in fast-food history. The rapper’s fans went wild when the Travis Scott Meal was launched, featuring a quarter pounder with cheese, bacon, and lettuce, paired with medium fries and a Sprite. While the meal itself wasn’t anything too unusual, the collaboration’s sheer scale and the influence of Scott’s fanbase made it iconic. However, what made this partnership bizarre was the extensive marketing campaign that followed. Fans could get exclusive merch, such as t-shirts and even McDonald’s-branded Cactus Jack apparel, creating a fusion of fashion, music, and fast food. It was a bizarre crossover that combined the fast-food world with high-end streetwear, causing long lines and media frenzy.

2. McDonald’s x Hello Kitty (2014)

In 2014, McDonald’s teamed up with Sanrio’s beloved character, Hello Kitty, to create a limited-edition collection of toys that were handed out with Happy Meals. While McDonald’s had partnered with toy companies before, the Hello Kitty collaboration was a strange one. The fast-food giant decided to make Hello Kitty the star of the show, offering a series of different plush toys and collectible keychains. While this might seem tame at first, the weirdness stemmed from how out of place these cutesy characters felt in the context of fast food. The juxtaposition of a cute, cartoon character with McDonald’s greasy burgers and fries left many questioning the match-up.

3. McDonald’s x Rick and Morty (2017)

The Rick and Morty collaboration took things into another level of weird when McDonald’s brought back the Szechuan Sauce in 2017, a product that had become a cult favorite after its original release in the late ’90s. The Szechuan Sauce, a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets, was referenced in the animated show Rick and Morty during a 2017 episode where the character Rick expresses a deep nostalgia for the sauce. Following the episode’s airing, McDonald’s was bombarded by fans requesting the sauce to return. To everyone’s surprise, McDonald’s revived it as part of a limited-time offer. However, the chaos that ensued, with customers lining up for hours and a nationwide shortage of the sauce, made this partnership one of the most chaotic—and weird—fast-food collaborations ever.

4. McDonald’s x Beyoncé (2015)

In 2015, McDonald’s entered into an unlikely partnership with superstar Beyoncé. The collaboration was centered around the release of the singer’s album “Lemonade.” McDonald’s served up a custom “Lemonade” drink, which was a sweet twist on lemonade with a tangy citrus flavor. While this might seem like a normal promotional tie-in, it was the way the fast-food chain marketed the collaboration that made it feel unusual. Beyoncé’s association with a major fast-food chain wasn’t something anyone had expected. Additionally, McDonald’s launched an entire campaign around this, and the artist even shared Instagram photos of herself enjoying McDonald’s food, a move that raised many eyebrows.

5. McDonald’s x Pokémon (1998)

Pokémon was a global phenomenon when McDonald’s decided to capitalize on the craze by offering Pokémon toys in Happy Meals in 1998. The toys themselves were a strange mix of small plastic figures, cards, and even “Pokéballs” that could be opened to reveal a mini character. While the toys were undeniably a hit, it was the timing and the promotional nature of the collaboration that was most unusual. McDonald’s was not traditionally seen as a destination for collectible toys related to a niche, fantasy universe like Pokémon, but the campaign was incredibly successful and became a nostalgic staple for fans of both the franchise and fast food.

6. McDonald’s x Star Wars (Various Years)

McDonald’s and Star Wars have had multiple collaborations over the years, making the partnership not just weird, but incredibly diverse. The most notable collaboration came in the early ’90s when McDonald’s featured Star Wars-themed Happy Meal toys to coincide with the release of the Star Wars trilogy. But the weirdest part of this partnership was the sheer number of tie-ins, which included Star Wars-themed packaging, Star Wars-related food items, and even specially designed drinks. What made it strange was the overwhelming nature of the cross-promotion. McDonald’s wasn’t just celebrating Star Wars through toys; the entire restaurant experience was overtaken by the franchise, leading to an immersive and almost absurd level of product placement.

7. McDonald’s x Cactus Plant Flea Market (2023)

This partnership, which took place in 2023, introduced some seriously weird elements to the world of fast food. McDonald’s collaborated with Cactus Plant Flea Market, a streetwear brand known for its high-end, quirky designs. The result? A special limited-edition collection that included exclusive shirts, hats, and, most bizarrely, a new set of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys featuring bizarre, almost surreal characters. The collaboration leaned heavily into the world of high-end streetwear, blending the worlds of fast food and fashion in an unexpected way. Fans were treated to a mix of art and apparel, with exclusive merch that felt oddly out of place in the fast-food space.

8. McDonald’s x Oscar the Grouch (2009)

In 2009, McDonald’s collaborated with the famous “Sesame Street” character, Oscar the Grouch, to promote the chain’s environmentally-friendly initiatives. Oscar, known for his grumpy personality and affinity for trash, seemed like an odd choice to be paired with the positive, family-friendly image McDonald’s typically promotes. The promotional campaign, designed to emphasize sustainability, included eco-friendly packaging and efforts to reduce waste. The pairing of the trash-loving puppet with eco-conscious messaging was certainly one of McDonald’s more bizarre collaborations, especially given that Oscar’s entire character is built around embracing messiness and garbage.

9. McDonald’s x BTS (2021)

Another pop culture collaboration that gained significant attention was McDonald’s partnership with the global sensation BTS. The BTS Meal featured a combination of McNuggets, fries, and drinks with two signature dipping sauces inspired by the band’s favorite flavors from South Korea. While this might seem like a simple celebrity tie-in, the strange part of this collaboration was how much BTS merchandise and exclusive content McDonald’s included. Fans could purchase BTS-themed items such as photo cards and exclusive video content. The bizarre crossover between the K-pop group and a fast-food chain created an odd cultural moment that was as much about the fan experience as it was about the meal itself.

10. McDonald’s x Grimace’s Birthday Meal (2023)

In 2023, McDonald’s celebrated Grimace’s birthday with a limited-edition Grimace Birthday Meal. The strange part of this collaboration was not just the special Grimace-themed packaging or the deep dive into the character’s world but the fact that McDonald’s treated Grimace like a pop culture figure who needed to be celebrated, despite the fact that he’s one of the company’s most unusual and least understood mascots. The fact that people were flocking to McDonald’s for a “birthday meal” dedicated to Grimace, a purple, strange, and somewhat creepy character, shows just how bizarre McDonald’s marketing can be.

Conclusion

McDonald’s has a long history of collaborating with an eclectic range of brands, artists, and franchises, some of which have resulted in bizarre and unusual partnerships. From the rap scene with Travis Scott to the world of Pokémon and even sustainability campaigns with Oscar the Grouch, McDonald’s continues to push the boundaries of what can be expected from a fast-food giant. These collaborations highlight the company’s unique ability to tap into pop culture in odd, but memorable ways. While some may question the logic behind these partnerships, they certainly stand out in the history of marketing and pop culture.