Stranger Things Tales From ’85: Netflix Unveils Animated Spin-Off for 2026

2 January 2026 Television & Entertainment

The Stranger Things Universe Expands

As the iconic Netflix series Stranger Things concluded its live-action run on New Year’s Eve, fans need not despair. Netflix has confirmed that the franchise will continue with an animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, set firmly within the official timeline. This exciting development ensures that the beloved world of Hawkins, Indiana, will continue to captivate audiences in a fresh, animated format.

What We Know About Tales From ’85

“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,” the description states. “Tales From ’85” is set in the “Stranger Things” universe between Seasons 2 and 3 and features characters fans already know and love. The series will showcase familiar faces including Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Max, and Hopper as they confront new threats from the Upside Down.

Stranger Things will be back on our screens with an animated spinoff titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, set to release sometime in June 2026. The animated series hails from showrunner Eric Robles and Stranger Things co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer.

Fresh Voices for Beloved Characters

While the characters remain the same, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 features a brand-new voice cast, meaning the original live-action actors will not be reprising their roles. The cast includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, EJ Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Additional voice cast in undisclosed roles included Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Why This Matters for Fans

This animated venture represents Netflix’s commitment to expanding the Stranger Things mythology beyond its original live-action format. The Duffer Brothers said the series would be in the vein of the Saturday-morning cartoons they grew up with. The untold winter of 1985 offers rich storytelling potential, filling a crucial gap in the timeline that fans have long wondered about. With animation removing creative limitations, Tales From ’85 promises to deliver spectacular new monsters and paranormal adventures whilst maintaining the character-driven drama that made Stranger Things a cultural phenomenon.