TL;DR
- Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is an upcoming animated spinoff of Stranger Things, set to debut on Netflix in 2026.
- The series takes place in winter 1985 — between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original show — and follows familiar characters facing new monsters and supernatural mysteries in Hawkins.
- Instead of the original cast, the show features a new voice cast, including Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Luca Diaz, Ben Plessala, and others.
- The animation style aims to evoke the look and feel of a classic 1980s Saturday-morning cartoon — bright colors, stylized character design, and a more retro aesthetic.
- The project is produced by the original creators (the Matt Duffer & Ross Duffer), with Flying Bark Productions doing the animation — signaling a balance between nostalgia and fresh creativity.
What is Tales From ’85 and why does it matter?
Netflix announced the animated spinoff Tales From ’85 on November 6, 2025 — timed with the franchise’s annual “Stranger Things Day.” Rather than following the darker, live-action style of the main series, this version will lean into a stylized animated look inspired by 1980s cartoons.
The significance lies in what it represents: even as the original Stranger Things story winds down, the franchise is expanding in new directions. Tales From ’85 gives long-time fans a shot at more Hawkins nostalgia — while potentially bringing in younger viewers who gravitate toward animation. The creative team suggests animation allows “no limits,” so they can explore stories and monsters that might be difficult in live-action.
What happens in Tales From ’85 — setting, story, and cast
The story of Tales From ’85 unfolds in a snowy 1985, placing it chronologically between Seasons 2 and 3 of Stranger Things. The core group of Hawkins kids — Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max — return (in voice form) to face a brand-new paranormal threat that terrorizes their town.
However, they won’t sound like their live-action selves: the voice cast is entirely new. Among them: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Ben Plessala as Will, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, and Brett Gipson as Hopper.
Visually and tonally, the show leans into retro-cartoon sensibilities — brighter color palettes, slightly exaggerated character designs, and a vibe meant to mirror the Saturday-morning horror/thriller cartoons of the ’80s.
When and where can you watch it?
As of now, Tales From ’85 is slated to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2026. The exact release date has not yet been revealed. The series will stream exclusively on Netflix — meaning any fan of Hawkins’ mysteries will need a subscription.
