The live-action story of ‘Stranger Things’ may be complete, but Netflix is not done with Hawkins just yet. The streamer has confirmed that ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’, a brand-new animated series set within the Stranger Things universe, will arrive this April, alongside a first teaser offering a taste of what’s to come.
Set during the winter of 1985, between seasons two and three of ‘Stranger Things’, the animated series revisits the core group of characters fans already know, but places them into a heightened, stylised world where the danger is very real, and the monsters are entirely new. The show is led by showrunner Eric Robles, working with Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer.
Robles explained the tone of the series in an interview with Tudum, saying:
“It’s got the thrill of being young, being a kid, and going on these thrilling adventures. But then there’s this essence of real danger, real stakes.”
He added:
“This is one of the rarest opportunities that we’re ever going to get to be with the main characters. We get to go back in time and really just hang out with these kids.”
Executive producers on the project include the Duffer Brothers and Hilary Leavitt via Upside Down Pictures, along with Shawn Levy via 21 Laps and Dan Cohen. The Duffers previously praised the work coming out of the animated series, saying:
“We couldn’t be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with –– the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can’t wait to share more with you! The adventure continues.”
Story-wise, the series returns to Hawkins during a freezing winter, where the original characters must face new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery threatening the town. Robles teases that the truth may be stranger than expected, adding:
“We soon learn that nothing is quite as they thought it was.”
The voice cast includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (In Your Dreams) as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, and Jeremy Jordan as Steve. Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips also join the Hawkins adventure.
Animation gives the creators freedom to push the world further than ever before. As Ross Duffer notes in the teaser:
“With animation there’s really no limits. Eric and his team can just go wild … and they have.”
‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ premieres Wednesday, 23rd April 2026 on Netflix.
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