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Draft:Stranger Things: Tales From '85

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Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Genre
Developed byEric Robles
Country of originUnited States
Production
Executive producers
AnimatorFlying Bark Productions
Original release
NetworkNetflix
Related
Stranger Things

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is an upcoming animated science fiction television series and a direct spin-off of Netflix's live-action Stranger Things.[1][2] Tales from '85 was first announced by Netflix in April 2025, and will be executive produced by the Stranger Things creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, as well as Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps, Hilary Leavitt of Upside Down Pictures, and Eric Robles with Flying Bark.[3]

Tales from '85 will take place between the events of the second and third season of Stranger Things,[4] and will depict the children – Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max – as they confront a new monsters of the Upside Down, and unravel a "paranormal mystery terrorizing their town".[3] The Duffers have said the show intends to capture the feel of an '80s Saturday-morning cartoon in the Stranger Things universe.[5]

Tales from '85 is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2026.[3]

Premise

[edit]

The series returns to Hawkins in a snowy 1985, where “the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery”.[6] The Upside Down's influence is again seeping into the town: familiar locations like Hawkins National Laboratory resurface, and new supernatural creatures emerge (early descriptions include such threats as Upside Down pumpkin-zombies and vine-like monsters).[4] Official descriptions emphasize that this is an “epic new animated series,” promising a blend of nostalgia and horror reminiscent of Stranger Things' tone.[2] 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.[4] The tone is said to be more family-friendly and brighter in visuals than the live-action show (described by Netflix and press reports as “entry-level Stranger Things” suitable for broader audiences).

Cast and characters

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The main characters from the original Stranger Things series all return in animated form.[6] These include Eleven / Jane Hopper, Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Max Mayfield, 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. The small-town sheriff Jim Hopper is also reported to appear (in glimpse form at least).[4] Previews at the Annecy Festival in June 2025 indicated that the original live-action actors will not be reprising their roles as voice actors.[2][4]

Production

[edit]

Tales from '85 is a co-production of Upside Down Pictures, 21 Laps, and Australian animation studio Flying Bark Productions. Matt and Ross Duffer serve as executive producers through their Upside Down banner, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen through 21 Laps, Hilary Leavitt through Upside Down, and Eric Robles as showrunner and executive producer.[7] Netflix's Tudum news site confirmed the project's title and the production team on April 23, 2025. The series was originally conceived by the Duffers as an early idea to expand the Stranger Things world, and they entrusted Robles with full creative control to develop it.[1]

Animation is handled by Flying Bark in Sydney; Netflix specifically called Flying Bark to bring the show to life.[8] 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.[3] Robles cites 1980s cartoons and young adult horror as major influences – for example, He-Man, Scooby-Doo, and especially The Real Ghostbusters (which he calls his “north star”). The production team also studied modern animated successes like Spider-Verse and Arcane, filtering those techniques through a retro sensibility. Prominent creature designer Carlos Huante (known for ET and Prometheus) was involved in creating the new monsters, indicating a darker, more Lovecraftian tone despite the family-friendly veneer.[3]

Release

[edit]

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2026.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Stranger Things Animated Series Unveils Official Title". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Taylor, Drew (June 11, 2025). "Annecy: Netflix's 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Brings the Upside Down to Animation". TheWrap. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e Gaur, Ryan (June 11, 2025). "Annecy: Netflix Teases 'Stranger Things' Animated Show and Alex Woo's 'In Your Dreams' Feature". Animation Magazine. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Gets New Details at Annecy 2025". What's on Netflix. June 11, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  5. ^ "'Stranger Things' Getting A Saturday-Morning-Cartoon Animated Series On Netflix". CultureSlate. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Weintraub, Steven (June 11, 2025). "'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Animated Series Premieres First Footage and Reveals What It's About". Collider. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 10, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Animated Series Coming to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Stranger Things: Tales From '85". Flying Bark Productions. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Dalton, Ben. "'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' series to release next year with additional characters". Screen. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
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