The Upside Down isn’t closing just yet! Following the emotional conclusion of Stranger Things’ live-action finale on New Year’s Eve 2025, Netflix announced “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85″—an animated series bringing Eleven, Mike, and the Hawkins gang back for new supernatural adventures in winter 1985, set between Seasons 2 and 3.
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Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Animated Series Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 |
| Format | Animated Series |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Platform | Netflix (Exclusive) |
| Timeline | Winter 1985 (Between Seasons 2 & 3) |
| Showrunner | Eric Robles |
| Executive Producers | The Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen |
| Animation Studio | Flying Bark Productions |
| Production Company | Upside Down Pictures, 21 Laps |
| Status | In Development |
Meet the Voice Cast: New Voices for Familiar Faces
Netflix revealed the complete voice cast, bringing fresh talent to voice the beloved Hawkins kids:
Main Cast:
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
- Elisha ‘EJ’ Williams as Lucas Sinclair
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
- Ben Plessala as Will Byers
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
- Brett Gipson as Chief Jim Hopper
Additional Talent:
- Odessa A’zion
- Janeane Garofalo
- Lou Diamond Phillips
The decision to use new voice actors rather than the original cast creates fresh opportunities for animation-specific performances while allowing the adult actors to move forward with their careers post-Stranger Things finale.
Why Animation? The Duffer Brothers Explain
In a Netflix featurette, creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that animation was one of their earliest ideas when considering Stranger Things universe expansion beyond the main series.
Matt Duffer explained: “When we started talking about, was there anything else we wanted to do with Stranger Things, this was one of our first ideas.”
Ross Duffer added: “With animation there’s really no limits. Eric and his team can just go wild, and they have.”
This creative freedom allows the show to explore:
- More elaborate monster designs without VFX budget constraints
- Heightened action sequences impossible in live-action
- Nostalgic 1980s Saturday morning cartoon aesthetics
- Wilder supernatural concepts and Upside Down environments
Set in Winter 1985: The Perfect Timeline Gap
By positioning the animated series between Seasons 2 and 3, Tales From ’85 occupies a sweet spot in Stranger Things continuity:
What we know about this period:
- Eleven is living with Hopper in the cabin
- The gang is relatively stable after defeating the Mind Flayer (Season 2)
- Before the events of Starcourt Mall (Season 3)
- Max has joined the friend group but dynamics are still developing
- Hawkins hasn’t experienced the Russian infiltration yet
This timeline allows the animated series to explore “monster of the week” style adventures without disrupting established canon, introducing new paranormal mysteries while the town remains relatively calm between major supernatural events.
Creative opportunities:
- Standalone supernatural mysteries
- Character development for fan favorites
- Deeper Upside Down mythology exploration
- 1980s nostalgia enhanced through animation
Flying Bark Productions: Animation Excellence
The Australian animation studio Flying Bark Productions brings impressive credentials to Hawkins. Known for their work on critically acclaimed animated series, the studio specializes in dynamic action sequences and expressive character animation—perfect for capturing the energy and emotion that made Stranger Things Season 5 such a cultural phenomenon.
Their animation style will likely blend:
- Retro 1980s cartoon aesthetics
- Modern animation techniques
- The dark, atmospheric tone Stranger Things is known for
- Expressive character work that captures the kids’ personalities
Executive Producers Maintain Quality Standards
The Powerhouse Team:
The Duffer Brothers (Matt and Ross Duffer) via Upside Down Pictures continue as executive producers, ensuring the animated series maintains authentic Stranger Things DNA despite the format change.
Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps (producers throughout the original series) bring their extensive franchise experience.
Eric Robles serves as showrunner and executive producer, bringing fresh creative vision while respecting established lore.
This combination ensures Tales From ’85 won’t feel like a cash-grab spinoff but rather a genuine extension of the Stranger Things universe with the creative oversight that made the original series special.
Expanding the Stranger Things Universe
Netflix’s investment in animated continuation demonstrates confidence in the franchise’s longevity beyond the live-action conclusion. This strategy mirrors successful universe expansion in other properties like Star Wars and Marvel.
Why this matters:
- Keeps Hawkins alive for fans missing the town
- Allows younger audiences to discover Stranger Things
- Provides endless storytelling possibilities through animation
- Maintains Netflix’s most valuable original IP
For fans who’ve followed the journey from Season 4’s epic conclusion through Season 5’s emotional finale, Tales From ’85 offers a way to revisit beloved characters in their prime years.
First Look: Teaser and Motion Poster
Netflix released first-look images and a teaser showcasing the animation style—capturing the essence of the kids while translating them into animated form. The nostalgic 1980s cartoon aesthetic blends Saturday morning animation vibes with the darker, atmospheric tone that defines Stranger Things.
Early reactions from fans have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Netflix for choosing quality animation over live-action prequels that would require recasting or de-aging technology.
What to Expect in 2026
Confirmed Elements:
- New monsters from the Upside Down
- Fresh paranormal mysteries
- Character-driven storytelling
- The core friend group dynamics
- Hawkins, Indiana setting
- 1980s period detail
Possibilities:
- Multiple seasons if successful
- Crossover potential with other spinoffs
- Deeper mythology exploration
- Fan-favorite character spotlights
Official Streaming Information
Where to Watch: Netflix (Exclusive)
Release Window: 2026 (Specific date TBA)
Expected Format: Multiple episodes (season length unannounced)
For comprehensive coverage of Stranger Things universe developments, Netflix originals, and animation news, TechnoSports provides ongoing updates as this exciting new chapter in Hawkins’ supernatural saga takes shape.
The Future of Hawkins
While the live-action Stranger Things concluded its remarkable eight-season run (if counting split seasons), Tales From ’85 ensures the town that launched a thousand Demogorgon memes lives on. By embracing animation’s limitless possibilities and the nostalgic 1980s cartoon aesthetic, Netflix and the Duffer Brothers have found the perfect format to continue exploring the mysteries lurking beneath Hawkins’ seemingly ordinary surface.
As Ross Duffer promised, with animation “there’s really no limits”—and fans can’t wait to see just how wild Eric Robles and his team go when Tales From ’85 arrives in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Original Stranger Things Actors Voice Their Characters in Tales From ’85?
No, the animated series features entirely new voice actors rather than the original live-action cast. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven instead of Millie Bobby Brown, Luca Diaz voices Mike instead of Finn Wolfhard, and similarly for all main characters. This decision makes practical and creative sense for several reasons: the original actors have aged significantly since portraying their characters as middle schoolers, voice acting requires specialized skills different from on-screen performance, and using new talent allows the adult actors to pursue other career opportunities post-Stranger Things finale without ongoing franchise commitments. Additionally, animation voice work typically records over extended periods, which would conflict with the busy schedules of now-famous actors like Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and others who’ve moved on to major film and television projects.
How Does Tales From ’85 Fit Into Stranger Things Canon and Continuity?
Tales From ’85 is set during winter 1985, specifically between the events of Season 2 (fall 1984) and Season 3 (summer 1985), occupying a timeline gap in the original series. This positioning allows the animated show to explore standalone supernatural mysteries without contradicting established canon or requiring major retcons. During this period, Eleven is living secretly with Hopper in the cabin, Max has joined the friend group but relationships are still developing, and Hawkins hasn’t yet experienced the Russian infiltration beneath Starcourt Mall. The “monster of the week” format enables the show to introduce new Upside Down creatures and paranormal events that don’t interfere with the main series mythology while deepening our understanding of that world.
