Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for the upcoming animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, along with its premiere date. The highly anticipated spin-off, set in the beloved Stranger Things universe, promises to deliver fresh chills and untold adventures featuring familiar young heroes from Hawkins, Indiana. According to Netflix, the series will debut on April 23, 2026, bringing fans back to the winter of 1985 for a standalone story that bridges elements from the main show's earlier seasons.
The trailer teases an eerie new threat lurking beneath the snowy landscape of Hawkins after Eleven's closure of the gate to the Upside Down in Stranger Things Season 2. It warns that “something survived,” showing the kids—Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max—embarking on an investigation into a mysterious haunting that disrupts their attempts at a normal life. Accompanied by atmospheric visuals of frozen horrors and nostalgic 1980s vibes, the footage also includes glimpses of stills released by Netflix, highlighting the animated style that captures the essence of the original series.
As an animated extension of the Stranger Things franchise, Tales From ’85 is showrun by Eric Robles, with series creators Matt and Ross Duffer serving as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Hilary Leavitt through Upside Down Pictures, Shawn Levy via 21 Laps, and Dan Cohen. The animation is handled by Flying Bark Productions, ensuring a visually striking return to the world of supernatural dangers and teenage camaraderie.
Check out the new stills from Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 in the image gallery below:
Credit:
Netflix
The voice cast brings the iconic characters to life in this new format, with Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voicing Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, and Benjamin Plessala as Will. Rounding out the ensemble are Brett Gipson as Hopper, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips in supporting roles, adding depth to the story's ensemble dynamic.
What is Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 about?
This spin-off dives into an unexplored chapter of the Stranger Things timeline, focusing on the immediate aftermath of Season 2's events. The official logline encapsulates the premise:
In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this untold story set in the Stranger Things universe.
This setup promises a blend of mystery, horror, and the signature coming-of-age elements that have defined the franchise, all while expanding the lore without overlapping directly with the main series' later seasons.
As excitement builds for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, fans can revisit the epic conclusion of the original saga. All eight episodes of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things are now available to stream exclusively on Netflix. The season rolled out in three volumes: the first four episodes premiered on November 26, 2025, followed by three more on December 25, 2025, and the series finale on December 31, 2025.
Source: Netflix
