Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (2026)

Overview

Stranger Things: Tales From '85

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is an American animated science fiction series, a spin-off of the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. The series was announced in April 2025, and the first season premiered on April 23, 2026, on Netflix. The showrunner is Eric Robles, and executive producers include Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps, Hilary Leavitt of Upside Down Pictures, and Eric Robles of Flying Bark Productions.

Plot

The series is set between the second and third seasons of the original show, in the winter of 1985. During winter break, as the characters enjoy snowball fights and Dungeons & Dragons games, a terrifying snowstorm descends on Hawkins, bringing new monsters from the Upside Down. The team, led by Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max, must unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing the town and save Hawkins.

Cast

The characters are voiced by new actors, not the original cast:

• Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
• Luca Diaz as Mike
• Braxton Quinney as Dustin
• Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
• Elisha Williams as Lucas
• Ben Plessala as Will
• Brett Gipson as Steve Harrington
• Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington (adult?)
• Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy

Production and Style

The series is done in an animation style inspired by Saturday morning cartoons of the 80s. According to the creators, it's not just "Stranger Things, but animated," but has its own distinct tone and style. The first two episodes were screened in AMC theaters on April 18, 2026.

Franchise chronology

• Stranger Things (2016–2025) — the main series, 5 seasons. Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, where a group of kids encounters paranormal phenomena and government experiments.
• Stranger Things: Tales From '85 (2026–) — animated spin-off, set between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series. Currently 1 season released, renewed for season 2.
• Stranger Things: Spotlight (TBA) — documentary series about the making of the show.
• Stranger Things 5: Behind the Episode (TBA) — behind-the-scenes series.
• One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 (TBA) — documentary film about the filming of the final season.

Status

The series is active, season 1 released, season 2 confirmed.