Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Netflix Announces Stranger Things Animated Series 'Tales From ’85'
Imagine your favorite show, Stranger Things, is getting a new cartoon version called 'Tales From ’85'!
This cartoon will feature characters you know and love, but with some fun changes.
It's set in the year 1985, between the second and third seasons of the main show.
The creators, the Duffer Brothers, say that because it's a cartoon, they can do anything they want, like creating new monsters and mysteries for the characters to solve.
They've even got a new group of actors to voice the characters, like Eleven, Max, and the boys.
This new animated adventure will come out on Netflix in 2026, after the final season of the live-action show ends.
It's a way to keep the magical world of Hawkins alive with exciting new stories.
Netflix announced a new animated series, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, set to premiere in 2026.
The series will feature original characters from Stranger Things with a 'twist' and is set in the winter of 1985, between Seasons 2 and 3.
Co-created by showrunner Eric Robles and Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the animation allows for limitless creative possibilities.
The story follows the original characters as they face new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery in Hawkins.
A new voice cast has been assembled for the animated show, as the original cast members will not return.
- Who
- Eric Robles, Matt and Ross Duffer, Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, Elisha “EJ” Williams, Braxton Quinney, Ben Plessala, Brett Gipson, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, Lou Diamond Phillips
- What
- A new animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, featuring fan-favorite characters with a twist, set between Seasons 2 and 3.
- When
- Winter of 1985 (in-universe); Premieres in 2026 (release)
- Where
- Hawkins
- Why
- To expand the Stranger Things universe with new stories and adventures, leveraging the creative freedom of animation and exploring the characters' experiences between established seasons.
Showrunner's Intent
Fan Perspective
Creative Freedom vs. Core Identity
Showrunner's Intent
The Duffer Brothers and Eric Robles emphasize that animation offers limitless creative possibilities to explore the Stranger Things universe in new ways, allowing them to 'go wild'.
Fan Perspective
While animation provides freedom, some fans may be concerned that a 'twist' on beloved characters and a new narrative approach could deviate from the established tone and essence of the live-action series.
Timeline Placement
Showrunner's Intent
The series is intentionally set between Seasons 2 and 3 to explore events and mysteries within a known period of the show's narrative.
Fan Perspective
Fans might question if a prequel-style animated series detracts from the anticipation or focus on the upcoming final season of the live-action show.
- Animated Series Title
- Stranger Things: Tales From ’85
- Creators
- Eric Robles, Matt and Ross Duffer
- Production Companies
- Upside Down Pictures, 21 Laps, Flying Bark Productions
- Setting
- Hawkins, Winter of 1985 (between Stranger Things Seasons 2 and 3)
- Premiere Year
- 2026
- Original Voice Cast
- Not returning
- New Voice Cast
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, Elisha “EJ” Williams, Braxton Quinney, Ben Plessala, Brett Gipson, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, Lou Diamond Phillips
Sources
Stranger Things Day: All About Animated Spinoff Series Tales From ’85 Including Voice Cast, Premiere And Teaser - Watch
‘Stranger Things 5′: First Five Minutes Of Final Season Take Viewers Back To Will Byers’ 1983 Disappearance Into The Upside Down
Animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 to feature fan-favourite characters with a twist - Telegraph India