Everything you need to know about the squishmallow stranger things collab
I've been tracking these releases since 2022, when the first wave hit. The squishmallow stranger things line came out through Jazwares and some exclusive retailers, and honestly, it's been a messy process from day one. I'm going to walk you through what exists, how to find it, and where people typically get stuck.
What the squishmallow stranger things collection actually includes
There are roughly eight figures in the main set. You've got Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will, Steve, and a couple of the monster variants like the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer. They range from 8-inch to 16-inch sizes depending on the drop. The material is the standard Squishmallow polyfill blend — slightly firmer than the classic line because they added structure to hold the character shapes. If you're comparing them side by side with a regular Squishmallow, you'll notice the texture difference immediately. Some of the figures have embroidered details instead of printed ones. That's a quality control sweet spot because embroidered faces don't fade or crack the way screen-printed ones do. The Will Byers figure from the second wave uses actual fabric for the shirt and jacket, which is nice but also means it collects lint faster than the polyester-only versions.
Where to get them and the current market reality
The original retail price was around $12 to $22 per figure depending on size. Walmart and Target carried the main line. Some exclusives were at Kohl's and the Squishmallow website. They sold out within weeks in most cases. If you're looking at buying now, you're almost certainly dealing with the resale market. I tracked this specifically. On eBay, the common characters like Dustin and Mike are going for $25 to $45. The Demogorgon and Mind Flayer variants can run $60 to $120. There's a noticeable price spike on the 16-inch Steve Harrington because people collect the oversized ones separately. If you're not in a hurry, set alerts on Mercari and Poshmark instead of buying on eBay — the fees are lower and sellers sometimes price more reasonably to move inventory fast.
The authentication problem you need to watch for
There are fake versions floating around, especially the larger figures. I bought two "Steve Harrington" figures from different sellers last year to compare. One had the correct Squishmallow tag with the holographic sticker and the proper stitching pattern on the ears. The other had a tag that looked right from a photo but the font spacing was off and the hologram didn't shift colors when you tilted it. I returned it. Here's how I caught it: the authentic tags have the Jazwares logo printed clearly, and the seam along the belly of a real one is double-stitched. Fakes usually have a single thick stitch line that looks uneven. If a deal seems too good to be true — like a 16-inch figure under $30 — it probably is. I've seen knockoffs sold on Amazon marketplace listings that pass initial inspection but fall apart after a few weeks. The stuffing shifts to one side and the embroidered features start peeling.
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Common issues and what actually works
One thing nobody warns you about: the Eleventh figure has a known defect where the antenna piece on her head can detach if you handle it roughly. It's glued, not sewn in. I've replaced it myself using a small amount of fabric glue, but you have to be careful not to get glue on the surrounding fabric or it leaves a visible residue. Let it cure for at least 24 hours before handling again. Another issue is the color accuracy. The Stranger Things palette is very specific — those warm oranges and deep reds from the show's poster art. Some of the Squishmallow versions, particularly the older batch from 2022, came out slightly more yellow than they should be. The 2023 restocks improved this, so check the manufacturing date on the tag if that matters to you.
Storage is straightforward but worth mentioning. These figures are soft enough that they crush if you stack heavy things on top of them. I keep mine in clear display bins with dividers. The bins cost about $8 each at Target and they stack vertically without deforming the squishmallows. Don't use vacuum bags — the compression permanently damages the fill distribution and they never puff back up the same way.
Quick reference for sizing and pricing
8-inch figures: approximately $15 retail, $20 to $35 resale currently. These are the character headshots — Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will. Good starter pieces if you're just getting into the line. 12-inch figures: approximately $18 retail, $30 to $50 resale. Full body versions of the same characters.
16-inch figures: approximately $22 retail, $40 to $90 resale. These are the statement pieces. The Steve and the monster variants sit in this category. There isn't an official collector's guide from Jazwares for this specific line, but the Squishmallow website has the full catalog when items are in stock. Most people I know who track these releases use a simple spreadsheet — character name, size, color code, retailer, price paid, condition. It sounds overkill until you're trying to figure out whether the one you found at a thrift store for $5 is actually rare or just a common figure in good condition.
The secondary market for squishmallow stranger things stuff isn't going to calm down much. Stranger Things has a built-in audience that overlaps heavily with the Squishmallow collector base, and the show's cultural relevance keeps these in demand even years after the original release. If you find complete sets at reasonable prices, grab them. The individual figures will keep appreciating.
