Stranger Things: Tales from '85

Image
Developer	Eric Robles
Country	United States
Language	English
Animator	Flying Bark Productions
Network	Netflix
Related	Stranger Things franchise

Premise

The series is set in Hawkins in the winter of 1985, where "the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery". The Upside Down's influence is again seeping into the town: familiar locations such as Hawkins National Laboratory resurface, and new supernatural creatures emerge (early descriptions include threats such as Upside Down pumpkin zombies and vine-like monsters). Official descriptions emphasize that the series is an "epic new animated series", promising a blend of nostalgia and horror reminiscent of Stranger Things tone. According to showrunner Eric Robles, the setup involves "something brewing in Hawkins", with the kids banding together to investigate the disturbances, much like in the original series. The tone is said to be more family-friendly and brighter in its visuals than the live-action show (described by Netflix and press reports as "entry-level Stranger Things" suitable for broader audiences).

Voice cast and characters

• Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper
• Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
• Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven / Jane Hopper
• Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
• Elisha Williams as Lucas Sinclair
• Ben Plessala as Will Byers
• Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
• Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington

Production

Development

In February 2022, the Stranger Things series creators, the Duffer Brothers, announced their intentions to create spin-offs of the franchise. In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off series was in the works. In April 2023, Netflix greenlit a straight-to-series order for an animated series that is set in the Stranger Things universe. The animation for the series is being provided by Flying Bark Productions with Eric Robles, the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen as executive producers on the show. The Duffers said the series would be in the vein of the Saturday-morning cartoons they grew up with. In 2025, it was revealed that the animated spin-off will be titled Stranger Things: Tales from '85, and as the title implies, it is set in the winter of 1985, between the second and third seasons of the main series. The series will introduce a new character named Nikki Baxter who is said to be "a tinker", and who has pinkish hair that's short on the sides. On November 6, 2025, Netflix released a first look teaser for Tales from '85, also revealing its voice cast.

Animation

Animation is handled by Flying Bark in Sydney; Netflix specifically called Flying Bark to bring the show to life. The visual style is high-quality computer-generated animation with an '80s flair; character designs feature "bigger heads and sculpted puppet-like faces", and the color palette and textures are more vibrant and neon than the live-action show. Robles cites 1980s cartoons and young adult horror as major influences – for example, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Scooby-Doo and especially The Real Ghostbusters (which he calls his "north star"). The production team also studied modern animated successes like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane, filtering those techniques through a retro sensibility. Prominent creature designer Carlos Huante, known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Prometheus, was involved in creating the new monsters, indicating a darker, more Lovecraftian tone despite the family-friendly veneer.

Casting

Several main characters from the original Stranger Things series return in animated form, as well as Nikki Baxter, a new character described as "taller and bigger" than the core group who joins the Hawkins kids in their adventures. In November 2025, the voice cast was revealed, with no actor from the original series reprising their role.

Release

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is set to premiere on Netflix on April 23, 2026.

References

• Weintraub, Steven, June 11, 2025, 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Animated Series Premieres First Footage and Reveals What It's About, July 9, 2025, Collider, en
• Taylor, Drew, June 11, 2025, Annecy: Netflix's 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Brings the Upside Down to Animation, July 9, 2025, TheWrap, en-US
• Netflix Staff, February 17, 2022, 'Stranger Things': The Duffer Brothers Reveal a Supersized Season 4 Rollout and Share News About the Series' Future, January 17, 2026, Netflix, en-US
• July 7, 2022, Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company, live, July 6, 2022, July 7, 2022, CNBC, BBC News
• Goldberg, Lesley, April 10, 2023, 'Stranger Things' Animated Series Coming to Netflix, live, April 10, 2023, April 10, 2023, The Hollywood Reporter, en-US
• 'Stranger Things' Getting A Saturday-Morning-Cartoon Animated Series On Netflix, July 9, 2025, CultureSlate, en-US
• 'Stranger Things' Getting A Saturday-Morning-Cartoon Animated Series On Netflix, CultureSlate
• Stranger Things Animated Series Unveils Official Title, May 31, 2025, July 9, 2025, Netflix Tudum, en
• Weintraub, Steven, June 11, 2025, 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Animated Series Premieres First Footage and Reveals What It's About, June 20, 2025, Collider
• Tinoco, Armando, 2025-11-06, Netflix Sets 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Voice Cast & First Look Photos Of Animated Spinoff, 2025-11-07, Deadline, en-US
• Stranger Things: Tales From '85, July 9, 2025, Flying Bark Productions, en-AU
• Gaur, Ryan, June 11, 2025, Annecy: Netflix Teases 'Stranger Things' Animated Show and Alex Woo's 'In Your Dreams' Feature, July 9, 2025, Animation Magazine, en-US
• 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Animated Series to Debut on Netflix in 2026, Perez, Lexy, The Hollywood Reporter, November 6, 2025, November 6, 2025
• Campione, Katie, February 2, 2026, 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Trailer Teases An Unseen Adventure After "Something Survived" Eleven Closing The Gate; Netflix Reveals Release Date, February 2, 2026, Deadline Hollywood

External links