Stranger Things: Tales from '85
American animated science fiction TV series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is an American animated science fiction television series and a spin-off of Netflix's Stranger Things. First announced by Netflix in April 2025, it was executive produced by 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 Productions.
- Eric Robles
- Jennifer Muro
| Stranger Things: Tales from '85 | |
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| Genre | |
| Based on | |
| Developed by |
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| Showrunner | Eric Robles |
| Voices of |
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| Music by | Brad Breeck |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Editors |
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| Running time | 27–32 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | April 23, 2026 – present |
| Related | |
| Stranger Things franchise | |
The series takes place between the events of the second and third seasons of Stranger Things, and depicts the children – Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max – as they confront new monsters of the Upside Down, and unravel a "paranormal mystery terrorizing their town". The Duffers intended to capture the feel of an '80s Saturday-morning cartoon in the Stranger Things universe.
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 premiered with its first season on April 23, 2026, on Netflix, to mixed reviews from critics. Five days later, the series was renewed for a second season, which is set to be released later in the year.
Premise
The series is set in Hawkins in the winter of 1985, between the events of the second and third seasons of Stranger Things, where "the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery".[1] The Upside Down's influence is again seeping into the town: familiar locations such as Hawkins National Laboratory resurface, and new supernatural creatures emerge (early descriptions include threats such as Upside Down pumpkin zombies and vine-like monsters). Official descriptions emphasize that the series is an "epic new animated series", promising a blend of nostalgia and horror reminiscent of Stranger Things's 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. The tone is said to be more family-friendly and brighter in its visuals than the live-action show (described by Netflix and press reports as "entry-level Stranger Things" suitable for broader audiences).
Voice cast and characters
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven / Jane Hopper[3]
- Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler[3]
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson[3]
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield[3]
- Elisha Williams as Lucas Sinclair[3]
- Ben Plessala as Will Byers[3]
- Odessa A'zion as Nikki Baxter[4]
- Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper[3]
- Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter[5]
- Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington[6]
- Griffin Burns as Jonathan Byers
- Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer[5]
- Robert Englund as Cosmo[5]
- Alysia Reiner as Karen Wheeler[5]
- Jim Titus as Officer Powell
- Miriam Flynn as Flo
- Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy Wheeler[5]
- Jordan Reynolds as Officer Callahan
- Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario[5]
- Jack Griffo as Jeff Nelson[5]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chapter One: Welcome to Hawkins, New Kid" |
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| April 23, 2026 | |
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On January 10, 1985, a mysterious scientist incinerates a lingering creature from the Upside Down, inadvertently releasing iridescent green spores that settle into the Hawkins snow. While Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max plan to spend their winter break shoveling snow for extra cash, Eleven remains hidden in the cabin under Hopper’s strict "rules". At school, the group encounters Nikki Baxter, a creative "tinker" and transfer student with a pink mohawk who quickly captures their interest. The science teacher Scott Clarke also goes on a sabbatical and is replaced by Anna Baxter, Nikki's mother. The calm of the winter break is shattered when a "snow shark" monster—a subterranean predator from the Upside Down—drags Dustin's bullies Charlie Dandridge and Jeff Nelson underground, forcing the kids to abandon their plans and form a trap using Dustin as reluctant bait. However, the plan goes awry when the creature ignores Dustin and instead targets Nikki, who is alone and unaware, leaving her in immediate danger. | |||||
| 2 | "Chapter Two: Bad Harvest" | JJ Conway |
| April 23, 2026 | |
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Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max and Eleven rescue Nikki from being devoured by the snow shark. Following a struggle, Eleven uses her powers to rip the creature apart, freeing Charlie. Nikki seeks answers and later hosts the gang at her home, where Dustin establishes the Hawkins Investigators Club (the H.I.C). After investigating the abandoned laboratory, the club searches for leads of monsters around Hawkins. Charlie later questions Dustin about the monster and the disappearance of his friend Jeff. Dustin is evasive and conceals knowledge of the Upside Down. Lucas and Max investigate the sighting of a pumpkin monster at the farm of Ella and Danny's grandpa. They encounter several mutated pumpkin monsters and use a combine harvester to kill them. Learning that pumpkins from the farm have been sent to a pie eating contest at the Hawkins Winter, the gang disrupt the festival but a contestant named Rosario is infected by spores from a contaminated pie. In the forest, the gang discover that a monster from the Upside Down has taken over Rosario's body, leaving her in a catatonic state. | |||||
| 3 | "Chapter Three: Evolution" | JJ Conway |
| April 23, 2026 | |
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The octopus-like monster swallows Rosario and attacks the gang, who fight back. Before the monster can devour the group, Will injures it with a mallet, distracting the monster long enough for Eleven to impale the creature with one of its own tentacles. Though the monster is killed, it releases spores into the forest. After returning Rosario to her home, the gang meet up at the arcade where Dustin identifies the monster that chased them in the snow as an Aboleth. Since the gate to the Upside Down is still sealed, the gang deduce they are dealing with remnants that survived the events at Hawkins laboratory. After consulting with Anna, they theorize that the Upside Down offshoots depend on a human host to survive and that they spread through spores. While investigating a nearby lumber yard, the group are attacked by a pack of canine-like monsters who have captured two lumber yard workers. Eleven manages to use her powers to free the two men while the group lead the monsters on a chase. The group discovers that the monsters do not need human hosts to survive anymore. She manages to kill one by ramming a tractor into the creature, causing an explosion. The second creature hurls Eleven against a stack of logs, trapping her. | |||||
| 4 | "Chapter Four: The Confession" |
| Dan Milano | April 23, 2026 | |
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Steve Harrington and Natalie return from a date but Natalie takes offense when he gets her confused with Nancy. While returning to his car, he attracts the attention of a canine-like monster, which leaps onto his car bonnet. Mike tends to the injured Eleven while the group argue whether to continue the pursuit or inform Hopper. Despite Dustin's objections, Mike takes Eleven home, causing the gang to split up. Nikki invites Will to visit her "mosh pit." While waiting for Hopper to return from his shift, Mike and Eleven wait at the cabin. There, Eleven confronts Mike for preventing her from using her powers against the monsters. Following a conversation, Mike agrees to let Eleven use her powers while Eleven agrees to communicate more. Dustin later encounters Steve, who relates his encounter with the canine monster, and temporarily inducts him into the Hawkins Investigators Club. Working together, the two lure all the canine monsters into the incinerator at the garbage dump, killing them. Jubilant, they race to Hopper's cabin hoping to convince the others not to inform Hopper. Meanwhile, Max and Lucas lose Dustin's polaroid photo of their canine monster to Keith, the young man running an arcade game store. Unable to retrieve the photo, they rush to Hopper's cabin for different reasons. Hopper returns as the gang converges. | |||||
| 5 | "Chapter Five: The Weekly Watcher" | Ben Choi | Joshua Pruett | April 23, 2026 | |
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Upset at the presence of the uninvited visitors, Hopper orders Eleven's friends to leave. Nikki is upset after overhearing Mike's remarks about her not truly belonging to the gang and leaves. The following day, the Hawkins Investigators Club pursues Keith on their bikes but Keith reveals that he has already given Dustin's polaroid photo to the editor of the tabloid newspaper, The Weekly Watcher. The gang decide to infiltrate the newspaper's office to prevent them from publishing the photo and enlist the help of Nancy. While Nancy distracts the security guard at the reception area, the boys infiltrate the newspaper offices. Lucas manages to recover the photo from the editor's office but is cornered by the newsroom staff. Eleven rescues him by using her powers to conjure up a storm, allowing Lucas to rejoin Dustin, Mike and Will. After escaping in Nancy's car, Dustin rips up the photo. The so-called "snake monster" in The Weekly Watcher is revealed to be a monster from the Upside Down that has taken Jeff captive. | |||||
| 6 | "Chapter Six: A Storm Is Coming" | Ashe Jacobson | Ray Utarnachitt | April 23, 2026 | |
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On the night of November 12, 1984, a team of military personnel in hazmats use flamethrowers to incinerate the deceased Upside Down monsters. They also conduct experiments on worm-like creatures, killing all except one. The surviving creature releases an offspring, which is incinerated with a flamethrower. However, the dying creature releases several spores into the forest. On January 15, 1985, Anna experiments on a dying tomato plant in the classroom. Nikki is upset with her friends and wants to leave Hawkins. Will tries to reconnect with her and pulls a fire alarm so that they and Mike can get sent into detention together, along with Charlie. Mike and Will reconcile with Nikki and join forces with Charlie to escape detention. However, they discover the coach, who was running the detention class, has been taken over by a monster. While retrieving a ball for a young boy from a sewer, Max and Lucas encounter several Upside Down monsters. During the chase, one of the monsters is crushed by a rockfall. They find Jeff inside and revive him. Meanwhile, Dustin goes on a bike ride with Rosario, who reveals that she experienced visions of a creature with a red light controlling the other creatures. Dustin deduces that the new Upside Down monsters are controlled by a hive mind. | |||||
| 7 | "Chapter Seven: Enter the Storm" | Philip J. Allora | Dan Milano | April 23, 2026 | |
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At Hawkins Middle School Mike, Will and Nikki are pursued by the Upside Down monster through the school corridors. The monster captures Charlie, who enters a trance-like state. Retreating to the chemistry lab, the three use various chemicals and tools to lure the creature into a trap and incinerate it. Meanwhile, Eleven senses her friends are in trouble and travels to the school through an avalanche. Elsewhere, Dustin is picked up by Anna's boyfriend Daniel Fischer, a former Hawkins Institute trainee scientist who now works at the Food Mart on Abbey Street. The two shelter at the Food Mart during the avalanche, with Daniel leaving at the end of the storm. Meanwhile Lucas, Max and Jeff escape the sewers through a manhole. After Jeff separates from them, the pair travel through the snowy forest and climb to the top of a telecommunications tower. They manage to reestablish contact with the others' walkie talkies. Max and Lucas reveal that the monsters are heading north-west towards the Food Mart, putting Dustin in danger. | |||||
| 8 | "Chapter Eight: The Party" | Ben Choi |
| April 23, 2026 | |
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Two of the Upside Down monsters stalk Dustin through the Food Mart. Eleven arrives with Lucas and Max, and uses her powers to destroy one of the monsters. The second monster grabs Dustin's bagpack and flees back to the hive mind. While Daniel mourns over the destruction of his business (which is attributed to storm damage), the Hawkins Investigators Club searches Hawkins' sewers, seeking to find the hive mind, which they nickname "Horde Prime." While marking Eleven's 13th birthday, the gang are attacked in the sewers by a tentacled monster, which they electrocute. The gang return to Nikki's cubby room to celebrate Nikki and Eleven's birthdays. While visiting Nikki's home to use the bathroom, Dustin discovers Anna and Daniel talking about the former' true purpose in Hawkins. Inside the bathroom, Dustin sees a distant red light in the horizon and believes that Anna is "Horde Prime." | |||||
| 9 | "Chapter Nine: The Suspect" | Ashe Jacobson | Alexis Quasarano | April 23, 2026 | |
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After leaving Nikki's home, Dustin breaks the news about Anna's purported experiments to the rest of the gang. The following day, Nikki is upset to learn from Anna that they are planning to relocate from Hawkins. She rejoins the rest of the Hawkins Investigators Club and agrees to help expose Anna's secret experiments. While Mike and Eleven accompany Anna and Nikki on a car trip, Max and Will break into the Baxter home where they uncover video tapes showing experiments on vines from the Upside-Down. Dustin and Lucas accidentally alert the police and the four teenagers take steps to avoid them by releasing the brake on their car. The four later discover a secret laboratory under the Baxter greenhouse. Meanwhile, the Baxters, Mike and Eleven are attacked by more Upside Down monsters, who are drawn by goo on Nikki's headset. Eleven displays her powers and destroys the creatures. The three learn that Anna is not behind the outbreak of Upside-Down monsters, while the rest of the gang are discovered by Daniel, a former Hawkins scientist and the true culprit. | |||||
| 10 | "Chapter Ten: Countdown" | Philip J. Allora |
| April 23, 2026 | |
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Daniel seeks to reassure the children that the Upside-Down vine-like monster is contained but the creature, sensing the green goo, causes the ground to collapse, pulling him and the gang into an underground tunnel system inhabited by more monsters, created through Daniel's spore experiments. Meanwhile, Mike, Eleven and the Baxters travel into the underground tunnel system where they reunite with the others and Daniel. Daniel attempts to retrieve his spore samples but is devoured by a large Upside-Down monster, which uses the spores to open a gateway into the Upside-Down. The Baxters and the Hawkins Investigation Club join forces to stop the monster, which grabs Eleven. Nikki uses a power laser weapon to seriously wound the monster, allowing Eleven to use her powers to close the doorway on the monster, killing it. Eleven spends time with Hopper then joins the rest of the gang at the Baxters' new home, where they all play D&D. Meanwhile in the Upside Down, a blue flower sprouts form the corpse of the monster that Eleven slew. | |||||
Production
Development
In February 2022, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers announced their intention to create spin-offs.[7] In July 2022, Netflix revealed that such a series was in the works.[8] In April 2023, the network greenlit a straight-to-series order for an animated series set in the Stranger Things universe. The animation is being provided by Flying Bark Productions, with Eric Robles, the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen as executive producers.[9] The Duffers said the series would be in the vein of the Saturday-morning cartoons they grew up with.[10] In 2025, it was revealed that the spin-off would be titled Stranger Things: Tales from '85, and as the title implies, it is set in the winter of 1985, between the second and third seasons of the main series.[11] The series will introduce a new character named Nikki Baxter who is said to be "a tinker", and who has pinkish hair that is short on the sides.[12] On November 6, 2025, Netflix released a teaser for Tales from '85, also revealing its voice cast.[13] In April 2026, the series was renewed for a second season, which is set to be released in late 2026.[14]
Animation
Animation is handled by Flying Bark Productions in Sydney.[15][16] Robles cites 1980s cartoons and young adult horror as major influences, including He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Scooby-Doo and especially The Real Ghostbusters (which he referred to as his "north star"). The production team also studied modern animated successes like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane in creating the visual style. Prominent creature designer Carlos Huante, known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Prometheus, was involved in creating the new monsters.[16]
Casting
Several main characters from the original Stranger Things series return in animated form,[1] 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. In November 2025, the voice cast was revealed.[3] Additional voice cast members were revealed in March 2026, with one of them being Robert Englund, who had previously portrayed Victor Creel in the original series.[5]
Music
Brad Breeck composed the series' score, which references the original series's theme composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.[17]
Release
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 premiered on Netflix on April 23, 2026, with the first two episodes premiering early via a limited release in select theaters on April 18.[18]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 62% approval rating based on 34 critic reviews, with an average of rated reviews of 5.9/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "A nostalgic return to the world of Stranger Things paired with a fun animation style means Tales from '85 can steadily continue the story for a new set of younger viewers, while still appealing to the core fanbase."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 52 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[20]
