Netflix Announces Animated Spinoff Stranger Things: Tales From ’85
Netflix has revealed a new animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, set to premiere in 2026. The show takes place between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original series, returning to Hawkins in the winter of 1985.
Premise and Setting
The story follows the original group of friends as they confront new monsters and uncover a fresh paranormal mystery spreading across the town. The tone combines ’80s adventure vibes with darker sci-fi elements, offering colder, more intense scenes and faster creature action.
"It’s a freezing winter in Hawkins, and the original characters must battle new threats while unraveling a town-wide mystery. Nothing is quite as they thought it was."
Production and Creative Team
Showrunner Eric Robles and creators Matt and Ross Duffer highlight that animation allows them to "go wild" creatively, exploring new storytelling possibilities beyond the live-action series.
The series is produced by Flying Bark Productions, with Robles leading the project.
Cast
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
- Luca Diaz as Mike
- Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin
- Ben Plessala as Will
- Brett Gipson as Hopper
- Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips join the cast
Additional Context
The series promises to expand on the Upside Down mythology, offering surprises and a fresh perspective on the Stranger Things universe.
Author’s summary: The animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 expands the Hawkins saga with new mysteries and threats, combining ’80s adventure energy and darker sci-fi tones in a 2026 Netflix debut.