Netflix has officially unveiled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85—a bold new animated spin-off that dives headfirst into the eerie gap between Seasons 2 and 3 of the beloved sci-fi horror phenomenon. Announced on Stranger Things Day (November 6), this fully animated adventure promises to thaw out the frozen secrets of 1985 with fresh voices, monstrous mayhem, and the kind of creative freedom that live-action could only dream of.
Set against the backdrop of a brutal Hawkins winter, Tales From ’85 picks up right where Season 2 left our young heroes—Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, and Hopper—still reeling from their Mind Flayer showdown. But don’t expect a quiet holiday respite. As snow blankets the town, a sinister paranormal mystery begins to unravel, unleashing a horde of grotesque new monsters that force the gang into an epic, globe-trotting quest. “They’ll discover that nothing is quite as they thought it was,” teases the official logline, hinting at mind-bending revelations that could ripple through the entire Stranger Things timeline. This bridge series fills in crucial lore from the “lost year” of 1985, offering fans a deeper dive into character arcs and Upside Down lore without disrupting the live-action narrative.
What sets Tales From ’85 apart? Animation, baby. Co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer, fresh off wrapping Stranger Things Season 5, gushed about the medium’s “limitless possibilities” in a behind-the-scenes featurette. “We wanted to go wild with the Upside Down—things we couldn’t do practically on set,” Ross Duffer shared. The result? A vibrant, ’80s-inspired cartoon aesthetic that evokes Saturday morning serials laced with Spielbergian dread, courtesy of animation studio Flying Bark Productions. Think explosive Demogorgon battles in zero gravity or Eleven hurling telekinetic snowballs at interdimensional beasts—all rendered with fluid, fantastical flair.
Leading the charge is showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs), whose scripts and storyboards have the Duffers raving: “Eric and his team have created something truly special—hilarious, heartfelt, and horrifying in equal measure.” Executive producers include the Duffers and Hilary Leavitt (Upside Down Pictures), Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen (21 Laps), and Robles himself. The series is slated for a 2026 premiere, potentially rolling out in multi-part installments to build suspense, though an exact date remains under wraps—early in the year seems likely, syncing with the post-Stranger Things expansion wave.
Of course, no Stranger Things tale is complete without its ensemble, and Tales From ’85 boasts a fresh-faced voice cast of rising young stars stepping into iconic roles. Gone are the original actors (for now), making way for a new generation to channel the awkward heroism of adolescence amid apocalypse:
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Eleven | Brooklyn Davey Norstedt |
| Max | Jolie Hoang-Rappaport |
| Mike | Luca Diaz |
| Lucas | Elisha “EJ” Williams |
| Dustin | Braxton Quinney |
| Will | Ben Plessala |
| Hopper | Brett Gipson |
Rounding out the roster are heavy-hitters like Odessa A’zion (Hellraiser), comedian Janeane Garofalo, and La Brea alum Lou Diamond Phillips, whose roles are shrouded in mystery—perhaps new allies, or foes from the shadows? Early buzz suggests these voices bring a raw, youthful energy perfect for the animated format, with Norstedt’s Eleven already stealing scenes in teaser clips.
The announcement dropped like a gate-ripping bombshell on Stranger Things Day, complete with a one-minute teaser trailer that Netflix shared across platforms. Fans got their first glimpses via animated stills: Eleven mid-telekinetic rage against a shadowy abomination, the Party huddled in a snow-swept forest, and Hopper barking orders amid crumbling realities. A featurette peeled back the curtain on production, showcasing work-in-progress art and Robles’ passion for blending ’80s nostalgia with cutting-edge animation tech. “It’s an adventure like no other,” Robles promised, “one that honors the heart of Stranger Things while flipping the script on what comes next.”
As Stranger Things Season 5 hurtles toward its 2025 finale—capping the live-action saga—this animated detour feels like a love letter to the franchise’s enduring spirit. It expands the world without retreading old ground, inviting both die-hards and newcomers to rediscover the magic (and monsters) of Hawkins. Will it crack open new portals to the Upside Down? One thing’s for sure: in 2026, expect the strange to get a whole lot stranger. Stream it exclusively on Netflix—because some tales are too wild for live-action alone.
Mick Lite is a versatile entrepreneur, photographer, and blogger with a huge passion for Music, Sports, Movies, Food, and Gaming. He has worked as an official scorer, social media manager, and photographer for various college, semi pro, and pro sports teams, including the River City Rascals, St. Louis Attack, Missouri Monsters, St. Charles Chill, SLU Billikens, Gateway Steam, St. Louis Riversharks, and Gateway Grizzlies. Served 12 years in the USN/USAF/USN.
