Your complete, updated, and in-depth guide to Netflix’s first major on-screen Stranger Things spin-off
The Stranger Things universe is officially getting bigger. After dominating Netflix for nearly a decade with five blockbuster seasons, the franchise is now expanding into its first full-fledged animated series, titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. Scheduled to arrive on Netflix in 2026, this highly anticipated spin-off will explore an unseen chapter in the Hawkins timeline while staying fully canon to the original show.
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With Stranger Things Season 5 set to conclude the main storyline, Tales from ’85 will give fans a fresh yet familiar reason to return to Hawkins. From its confirmed release window and production details to story placement, voice cast, monsters, animation style, and canon status—here’s everything we know so far about Stranger Things: Tales from ’85.
What Is Stranger Things: Tales from ’85?
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is an animated Netflix original series set in the Stranger Things universe. Unlike the novels, comics, and stage play (Stranger Things: The First Shadow), this is the first on-screen spin-off of the franchise.
Netflix officially confirmed the project after years of speculation, leaks, and internal codenames. The show is designed to feel like a high-end cinematic animated series, not a kids’ cartoon, and will retain the dark, emotional, and supernatural tone that made Stranger Things a global phenomenon.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 Netflix Release Date (Expected)
Netflix has officially confirmed that Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will release in 2026.
Expected Release Window
- Year: 2026
- Likely Premiere: Spring 2026
- Platform: Netflix (Worldwide)
While an exact release date has not yet been announced, industry reports strongly indicate a Spring 2026 launch, positioning it perfectly after the conclusion of Stranger Things Season 5.
Production Details & Studio Behind the Series
Working Title: PROJECT MIRKWOOD
The animated series was developed under the internal codename PROJECT MIRKWOOD, a clever reference to the road near Hawkins Lab.
Animation Studio
- Studio: Flying Bark Productions
- Locations: Sydney, Los Angeles, and Spain
Flying Bark Productions is well known for premium animated projects such as:
- Marvel’s What If…?
- Glitch Techs
- Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Their involvement signals that Tales from ’85 will feature top-tier animation quality rather than a simplistic cartoon style.
Creators, Showrunner & Executive Producers
Showrunner
- Eric Robles (Glitch Techs, Fanboy & Chum Chum)
Eric Robles is leading the project creatively and has described it as a dream project rooted deeply in Stranger Things lore.
Executive Producers
- Matt Duffer & Ross Duffer
- Shawn Levy
- Dan Cohen
The direct involvement of the Duffer Brothers confirms that the show is 100% canon and tightly integrated into the franchise timeline.
Writers & Directors
- Jennifer Munro (Star Trek: Prodigy) – Writer
- Sarah Partington – Director
- Ben Troy – Director
According to Netflix’s Annecy Festival presentation, the directors were chosen for their ability to blend live-action cinematic storytelling with animation, preserving the signature Stranger Things feel.
How Many Seasons Will Tales from ’85 Have?
Netflix has reportedly ordered two seasons upfront.
Season Order Details
- Total Seasons Ordered: 2
- Production Status: Both seasons developed together
This upfront commitment reflects Netflix’s high confidence in the project and the long-term potential of the Stranger Things animated universe.
Timeline Explained: When Does Tales from ’85 Take Place?
One of the most important aspects of Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is its placement in the official timeline.
Timeline Placement
- After: Season 2 (Fall 1984)
- Before: Season 3 (Summer 1985)
- Setting: Winter of 1985
Official Logline
“Welcome back to Hawkins in the stark winter of 1985, where the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town.”
This period was never explored in the live-action series, making it the perfect narrative gap for new stories.
How Are There Monsters If the Gate Was Closed?
At the end of Stranger Things Season 2, Eleven sealed the massive gate to the Upside Down—so how can new threats exist?
The Canon Explanation
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Eric Robles revealed that the team discovered a hidden loophole within the show’s established mythology.
Robles teased the core idea as:
“Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter.”
Even with the main gate closed, remnants of Upside Down matter and creatures already present in the human world cause a chain reaction, leading to new horrors without breaking canon.
Voice Cast: Who Is Voicing the Characters?
Netflix has confirmed that the original live-action cast will not return for the animated series. Instead, a new voice cast has been selected.
Confirmed Voice Actors
- Eleven: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt
- Mike Wheeler: Luca Diaz
- Will Byers: Benjamin Plessala
- Lucas Sinclair: Elisha “EJ” Williams
- Dustin Henderson: Braxton Quinney
- Max Mayfield: Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
- Jim Hopper: Brett Gipson
Additional Cast
- Odessa A’zion
- Janeane Garofalo
- Lou Diamond Phillips
Their roles are currently undisclosed.
New Characters Introduced in Tales from ’85
Nicki Baxter – A Major New Addition
One of the most talked-about new characters is Nicki Baxter.
Character Details:
- Described as a “Tinkerer”
- Spiky pink hair
- Slightly older and taller than the main group
- Visually compared to Vi from Arcane
Nicki is expected to play a crucial role in helping the Hawkins crew confront new threats.
Monsters & Villains: What New Threats Are Coming?
Despite being animated, Tales from ’85 will not tone down the horror.
Eric Robles made it clear:
“It’s not Scooby-Doo. The stakes are real.”
Confirmed & Teased Monsters
- Upside Down Pumpkin Zombies
- Human / Vine Hybrids
- Minotaurs
The show will use a monster-of-the-week format, but all threats will connect to a larger season-long mystery, similar to early Stranger Things seasons.
Visual Style & Animation Inspiration
Saturday Morning Cartoon – But Darker
The Duffers wanted the show to feel like the cartoons they grew up with—without becoming childish.
Key Inspirations
- The Real Ghostbusters (darker episodes)
- E.T.
- The Lost Boys
- Goosebumps book covers by R.L. Stine
Poster-Inspired Visuals
Instead of Marvel-style animation, the team looked to:
- Kyle Lambert’s Stranger Things posters
- Drew Struzan-style cinematic artwork
- Saturated colors and Spielberg-inspired framing
Hawkins Locations Returning in Animation
The animation team meticulously recreated iconic Hawkins locations, including:
- Palace Arcade
- Hawkins Junior High
- Hawkins Lab
- Downtown Hawkins
All locations will feature a winter 1985 aesthetic, giving familiar places a fresh look.
Fan Art That Influenced the Show
In a rare move, the production team openly acknowledged the influence of fan artist Meybis Ruiz Cruz. Her artwork played a major role in shaping the final character designs, proving that fan creativity can directly impact official projects.
Is This the “Stranger Things: Tokyo” Spin-Off?
No.
This project is not the rumored Stranger Things: Tokyo, which reportedly focused on gamer twins in 1980s Japan. Netflix has not officially commented on whether that project is still in development.
Is Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 Canon?
Yes, absolutely.
The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that the series is fully canon. According to Eric Robles:
“If we did season 25, it would still connect perfectly to the timeline.”
Stranger Things Franchise Details (Quick Info)
- Rating: TV-14
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
- Original Cast: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard
Recent Netflix Additions
- Season 5 – Volume 1: November 27, 2025
- Season 4 – Volume 2: July 1, 2022
- Season 4 – Volume 1: May 27, 2022
- Season 3: July 4, 2019
Final Thoughts
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is shaping up to be far more than a simple spin-off. With a canon-accurate timeline, high-end animation, new monsters, and the full backing of the Duffer Brothers, the series has the potential to become one of Netflix’s biggest animated hits.
As we move closer to its 2026 release, Tales from ’85 promises to keep the spirit of Stranger Things alive—long after the main story ends.
Stay tuned for more updates as Netflix reveals trailers, episode details, and a confirmed release date.
