It's only been about four months since the series finale, but the iconic franchisereturns to streaming this week.If you think it's a new episode from season 5, think again., an animated spin-off series, premieres on April 23, 2026, on Netflix in the U.S.
is a new addition to the universe at Netflix.For starters, it's the first animated spin-off show of the flagship series.More importantly, it's a test of whether audiences are ready to see these beloved characters in a new adventure, albeit an animated show.
Is it too soon for another show? Like all of you, I'm ready to find out for myself.What is Stranger Things: Tales from '85 about? Head back to Hawkins in the 1980s One of the reasons for Stranger Things' breakout success revolves around nostalgia for the 1980s.The show captured the sights and sounds of pop culture in the 1980s—from and to The Police and The Clash.
The animated spin-off will channel those same evocative feelings by setting the story in 1985.takes place in the winter of 1985.The events will take place between season 2 and season 3 of the live-action show.
In the season 2 finale, Eleven and the gang closed the gate to the Upside Down inside the Hawkins Lab.At least that's what we thought because the final scene of the season features the Mind Flayer observing the group at the school dance.Before the group faces the Mind Flayer at the Starcourt Mall, they must first battle a new creature beneath the snow in Hawkins.
What is it? Showrunner Eric Robles described it as a famous creature in one of the best shark movies of all time, .“I grew up watching [that movie],and we play with the same trope in the sense [that] underneath all that snow, there’s something lurking, and you just never know where that thing’s going to come out and grab you,” Robles explained to Tudum.Who is in the cast of Stranger Things: Tales from '85? Same characters, different voices For fans wanting to see Eleven and the gang one more time, your wish has come true.
will feature the characters fans have come to know and love over the past decade.This includes Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Will, Hopper, Steve, and more.However, the animated characters will not be voiced by Netflix's live-action cast.
This means that Millie Bobby Brown nor David Harbour will not be voicing Eleven and Hopper, respectively.The same can be said for the rest of the notable characters.Nvidia Shield TV Pro Operating System Android TV Resolution 4K $199 at Amazon $199 at Best Buy Expand Collapse The cast of includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Odessa A’zion as Nikki Baxter, Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter, Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy Wheeler, Alysia Reiner as Karen Wheeler, Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario, Jack Griffo as Jeff, Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer, and Robert Englund as Cosmo.
A notable addition is A'zion as Nikki Baxter, the punk rocker of the crew.Sporting a pink-haired fauxhawk, Nikki is the new friend in town who becomes the "barbarian and the protector," according to a Netflix interview with A'zion.Are the Duffer Brothers involved? The Stranger Things creators will have a role in the spin-off The Duffer Brothers changed the course of Netflix's history with their creation, , which became the streamer's flagship show.
The Duffers are executive producers on .However, the Duffers are not the showrunners on the animated show.That role belongs to Robles.
While speaking with Netflix, the Duffers revealed their inspiration behind the animated spin-off."The idea was to kind of evoke a feeling of an '80s cartoon," the Duffers said in the official announcement."With animation, there's really no limits.
Eric [Robles] and his team can just go wild.And they have." Subscribe to our newsletter for Stranger Things insights Curious how the expanded Stranger Things universe evolves? Subscribe to our newsletter for focused coverage and analysis of casting changes, spin-off projects, creative choices, and what they mean for the franchise's future.Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe anytime.Shawn Levy, who directed multiple episodes of , is also an executive producer on alongside Dan Cohen.Are more spin-offs on the way? The mysterious live-action spin-off remains in development Even though the Duffers are leaving Netflix to make movies and TV for Paramount, the duo are still going to deliver a live-action spin-off.
The Duffers have revealed little about the live-action spin-off to this point.The only clue (via Variety) is that it will deal with the origins of the rock Henry Creel found in the briefcase in the series finale."The spin-off is going to delve into that [the rock] and explain that, and you’re going to understand it," Matt Duffer told Variety.
"But it’s a completely different mythology.So it’s not a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer or anything like that.It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining." Speaking of other productions,a play about the origins of Henry Creel, is being filmed for Netflix.
The show is currently on Broadway and in the West End.It's unknown when will hit Netflix.Stranger Things: Tales from '85 TV-14 Action Adventure Animation Sci-Fi Release Date April 23, 2026 Network Netflix Showrunner Eric Robles Powered by Expand Collapse Stranger Things: Tales from '85 streaming information All 10 episodes of arrive on Netflix on April 23.
Only one season has been planned.Given the popularity of keep an eye on the viewership numbers.If the ratings are strong, I could see Netflix wanting another season of this animated show.
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