Tales from ‘85: The First Stranger Things Spinoff
January 5, 2026
The highly anticipated Tales from ‘85, the first animated spinoff of Stranger Things, is rapidly approaching its debut. With new characters, an ’80s cartoon aesthetic, and setting details revealed, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming series.
Release Date Expectations
Currently, Tales from ‘85 does not have an official release date. Netflix has announced that it aims to debut the show sometime in 2026. Since the main Stranger Things series concluded on December 31, 2025, fans can expect the spinoff to arrive in the latter half of 2026. A wait is anticipated, but specifics remain to be announced.
Plot and Setting
Set between Season 2 and Season 3 of the main series, Tales from ‘85 explores a more family-friendly adventure during the winter of 1985. The storyline features familiar characters — Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Max — as they face off against new threats from the Upside Down, including whimsical creatures like “Pumpkin-Zombies.”
Unlike the darker themes of the original series, this animated spinoff emphasizes lighter, fun-based episodes with casual spooky moments and character-driven stories. It’s framed like an ’80s cartoon, capturing nostalgic vibes while introducing new elements and characters.
Cast and Characters
While the original cast members won’t voice roles in this animated series, a talented group of voice actors brings the characters to life:
- Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper
- Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven / Jane Hopper
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
- Elisha Williams as Lucas Sinclair
- Ben Plessala as Will Byers
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
Additionally, a brand-new character — Nikki Baxter, a girl with pink hair — will join the adventure, although little else is known about her role at this point.
Trailer and Visuals
The first teaser for Tales from ‘85 was released on November 6, 2025, revealing the animation style and confirming some characters’ participation. While a full trailer has yet to be released, production has been underway since 2023, so fans should expect a complete trailer soon.
Stay tuned for more updates and official releases as Tales from ‘85 gets closer to hitting Netflix.
Note: All images and details are based on early teasers and announced information.