McDonald’s set to launch its ‘Friends’ collab with mini dolls that don’t have much expression

By creammagazine, January 24, 2026

This morning millions of Australians received in their inbox the image above along with the words ‘I’ll be there for you 28.01.26’.

The orange sofa and a fountain shaped like golden arches, of course, represent the opening sequence to the hit television series, Friends, so of course it’s a collaboration between the Warner Bros’ owned series and food giant McDonald’s.

The chain is launching a global collaboration with the beloved series, which will include branded meals and dolls of the six main characters: Rachel, Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler and Phoebe.

We’re not sure how much of a hit the collaboration will be in Australia since Friends merch is somewhat hit and miss in stores down under. Typo, for example, tends to do either really well or really badly in sales of Friends merch when it decides to unleash everything from mugs and keychains to oversized hoodies.

Mind you, from what we’ve seen of the dolls so far, their faces consist of just dots for eyes so there’s not much expression or nuance telling each apart – which kind of defeats the whole purpose and caricature aspect of pop vinyl type figures. Instead, it’s the figurines’ ‘props that give them away – Ross’ monkey, Monica’s chef hat, and so on.

McDonald’s South Africa has already launched a Friends collaboration, releasing a limited-time meal from 21 January 2026, including such ‘delights’ as Monica’s Marinara Sauce (actually, no thanks) and collectible character figures as part of the Warner Bros. partnership.

McDonald’s Türkiye introduced a Friends Meal with themed packaging, collectible figures, and app bonuses, while Friends themed meals have appeared on the menu at Maccas in Germany and Spain, too.

Australia will likely get the pop vinyl type mini dolls since we’re still mid-Labubu fever. But let’s wait till Wednesday 28th to see.

Michael Mastess