Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Stranger Things: Tales from '85
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Stranger Things: Tales from '85

"A new adventure awaits."

7.6
Yr 2026
Status Returning Series
Animation Sci-Fi & Fantasy Mystery Action & Adventure
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

Winter. Hawkins. 1985. Welcome back to a town crawling with secrets, where beloved heroes are facing fresh mysteries... and an all-new breed of strange.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 62 /100

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 received mixed to moderately positive reactions from critics, with reviewers divided on whether this animated spinoff successfully recaptures the magic of Hawkins or feels like a lightweight cash-in. Enthusiastic reviews praised the show's brisk pacing, nostalgic 1980s pop-culture references, and family-friendly approach, with Polygon going so far as to call it a return to the early charm of the original flagship series.

On the other hand, several outlets felt the spinoff struggled to justify its existence. Harsh critiques from RogerEbert.com slammed the writing and character portrayal, while Common Sense Media highlighted that the lack of the original live-action voice cast and narrative disconnects could alienate viewers. Reviews from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter concluded that while the series is a functional and harmless "diet version" suitable for younger or casual fans, it rarely reaches the heights or emotional resonance of the main show.

“recaptures the early charm of the original show with clever writing and great voice acting”

“this animated series has everything that made the original series so lovable”

“faithful if watered-down recreation of the original’s appeal”

“lazy fan-fic writing, slack plotting, and inconsistent characters”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
UK • US • CA
Netflix
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

This animated turn for the franchise leans into the frantic energy of 1985. By moving away from live action, the series captures the supernatural dread of a parallel world with a distinct aesthetic that fits the era. It focuses on a small group of friends dealing with government conspiracies and emerging super powers as part of their everyday teen drama.

Brooklyn Davey Norstedt is among the voices bringing this winter in Hawkins to life. The stakes remain rooted in the mystery of the town, shifting the focus to how children navigate threats that adults refuse to acknowledge. It translates the core tension of the original series into a format that allows the visual scope of the sci-fi elements to feel more unrestrained.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 36
Regulars 4
Longest run 7 eps
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt
as Eleven (voice)
Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
as Max (voice)
Luca Diaz
Luca Diaz
as Mike (voice)
Elisha Williams
Elisha Williams
as Lucas (voice)
Braxton Quinney
Braxton Quinney
as Dustin (voice)
Benjamin Plessala
Benjamin Plessala
as Will (voice)
Odessa A'zion
Odessa A'zion
as Nikki (voice)
Janeane Garofalo
Janeane Garofalo
as Anna Baxter (voice)
7 episodes
Show 28 more
Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer (voice) 7 episodes Alessandra Antonelli as Nancy (voice) 2 episodes Griffin Burns as Jonathan / Bradley (voice) 1 episode Benjamin Valic as Charlie Dandridge (voice) 4 episodes Alysia Reiner as Karen Wheeler (voice) 1 episode Pressly Coker as Mr. Clarke (voice) 1 episode Georgia MacPhail as Jeanie (voice) 1 episode Jodi Carlisle as Mrs. Gundersson (voice) 2 episodes Leith M. Burke as Farmer Eugene (voice) 1 episode Brett Gipson as Hopper (voice) 6 episodes Ayah Weitz as Ella (voice) 1 episode Valeria Rodriguez as Rosario (voice) 3 episodes Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. as Danny (voice) 1 episode Matt Kaminsky as Mayor Kline / Carnie (voice) 1 episode Jack Griffo as Jeff Nelson / Man in Snow (voice) 2 episodes Noah Baird as Teen #1 (voice) 1 episode Gavin Hammon as Mulligan Brother #1 / Mulligan Brother #2 (voice) 1 episode Jeremy Jordan as Steve (voice) 2 episodes Robert Englund as Cosmo (voice) 1 episode Mark Whitten as Keith / Truck Driver (voice) 2 episodes Melissa Hutchison as Elise Withers (voice) 1 episode Adam El Sharkawy as Staffer #1 (voice) 1 episode Mason Blomberg as Peter (voice) 1 episode Matthew Jayson Cwern as Coach Hammon (voice) 1 episode Mara Junot as Newscaster (voice) 2 episodes Jim Titus as Officer Powell (voice) 2 episodes Jordan Reynolds as Officer Callaham (voice) 1 episode Miriam Flynn as Flo (voice) 1 episode
Production Board

Crew

Thanks
Joe Keery Millie Bobby Brown David Harbour Caleb McLaughlin Charlie Heaton Winona Ryder Sadie Sink
Consulting Producer
Paul Dichter
Main Title Theme Composer
Jason NeSmith
Creator
Eric Robles
Director
Eric Robles Sarah Jean Partington Ashe Jacobson JJ Conway
Executive Producer
Eric Robles Hilary Leavitt Matt Duffer Dan Cohen
Script Coordinator
Elise Bradley
Producer
Emily Morris Rachel Richmond
Editor
Eric Davidson Doug Tiano Matt Brailey
Supervising Producer
Ingrid Johnston
Production Design
Benjamin Plouffe
Co-Executive Producer
Ian Graham
Additional Editing
Hugo L. Morales
Line Producer
Jaime Fiestas
Supervising Sound Editor
Rob McIntyre
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Stranger Things: Tales from '85 overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

monster small town indiana, usa experiment supernatural coming of age parallel world super power group of friends nostalgic government conspiracy teen drama pre-teen 1980s based on tv series mystery
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
April 23, 2026
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
99