Netflix has released the first teaser for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated spin-off of its iconic sci-fi series that promises to expand the Hawkins universe in an exciting new format. Set to premiere globally on April 23, 2026, the animated series blends retro nostalgia with eerie suspense, offering fans a fresh perspective while remaining deeply rooted in the mythology that made Stranger Things a worldwide phenomenon.
Set during the winter of 1985, Tales From ’85 unfolds in the narrative space between Season 2 and Season 3 of the original live-action series. The teaser presents a seemingly peaceful Hawkins in the aftermath of the Mind Flayer’s devastation. Snow blankets the town as Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max attempt to reclaim a sense of normalcy. Quiet moments filled with Dungeons & Dragons games, snowball fights and everyday routines suggest a fragile calm—but it doesn’t last long.
As the teaser progresses, unsettling imagery and rising tension hint that a dark force may have survived beneath Hawkins’ frozen exterior. While the series revisits familiar supernatural themes, the animated format opens the door to new creatures, mysteries and visual storytelling that go beyond the constraints of live action. The result is a story that feels both comfortingly familiar and intriguingly new.
The original live-action cast does not return for the spin-off, but a new voice cast steps in to portray the beloved characters. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, Luca Diaz plays Mike Wheeler, Braxton Quinney lends his voice to Dustin, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport voices Max, Elisha “EJ” Williams takes on Lucas, and Benjamin Plessala voices Will. Brett Gipson voices Jim Hopper, with additional performances from Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips, further enriching the animated world.
Produced by Flying Bark Productions, the series is helmed by showrunner Eric Robles, who also serves as executive producer alongside Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer. Longtime collaborator Shawn Levy is also part of the executive production team. The animation style draws inspiration from classic 1980s cartoons while preserving the dark, suspenseful tone fans expect.
With Tales From ’85, Netflix continues to deepen the lore of Hawkins, proving that the Upside Down still holds plenty of secrets waiting to be uncovered.