Stranger Things: Tales from ’85
A must-watch for fans of the franchise who miss the atmosphere of the '80s and Hawkins. The animated format allows for showcasing monsters and the Upside Down without the budget constraints of live action.
The premiere on Netflix is scheduled for April 23, 2026 — the first animated spin-off of the cult franchise "Stranger Things." The events unfold in the winter of 1985 between the second and third seasons of the original: the familiar gang from Hawkins — Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max — encounters new monsters from the Upside Down in a snowy town. They are joined by Nikki Baxter, a pink-haired inventor with a technical mind. The tone is a nostalgic thriller in the visual style of Saturday morning cartoons from the '80s ("The Real Ghostbusters," "He-Man"), but with modern CGI graphics from Flying Bark Productions. The format takes viewers back to the golden age of teenage characters, revealing adventures that were not included in the main series. For fans of the original "Stranger Things," "Arcane," and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."
The premiere is set for April 23, 2026, on Netflix — all episodes of the first season will be released at once.
Not officially confirmed, but the Duffers have expressed a desire to continue expanding the universe — the decision depends on the success of the first season.
Preferably — the events take place between seasons 2 and 3, and knowing the characters will add emotional context, although the series is positioned as a standalone adventure.
An American tradition from the 1960s to the 1990s — animated series that aired on Saturday mornings ("Scooby-Doo," "The Real Ghostbusters"), which the Duffers grew up with.
A new character — a pink-haired girl inventor who can fix complex electronics and joins the team in Hawkins.