Nostalgia just levelled up. Netflix has officially dropped the full trailer, key art, and complete voice cast for Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 — the highly anticipated animated spin-off of one of the most beloved sci-fi horror franchises in streaming history. If you thought Hawkins was done surprising you, think again.
This isn’t just a cash-grab spin-off. It’s a lovingly crafted animated series that takes the gang back to winter 1985, with brand-new monsters, a fresh roster of voice actors, and the Duffer Brothers firmly in the executive producer’s chair.
Stranger Things Everything at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Series | Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 |
| Type | Animated Spin-Off |
| Premiere Date | April 23, 2026 |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Episodes | 10 (~27–28 min each) |
| Animation Studio | Flying Bark Productions |
| Showrunner | Eric Robles |
| Exec Producers | Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen |
| US Early Screening | Select theaters (mostly sold out) |
What’s the Story About?
Set in the winter of 1985, snow blankets Hawkins and the horrors of the Upside Down seem to be finally fading. Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life — D&D, snowball fights, quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. whats-on-netflix The gang must race to uncover the mystery and protect Hawkins once more.
The animation style blends Saturday Morning Cartoon nostalgia with high-end modern visuals, and the trailer confirms terrifying new creatures including Upside Down Pumpkin Zombies and Minotaurs crawling out of the winter ice. Genuinely creepy stuff.
Voice Cast — Including Some Big Surprises
Since the original cast has long outgrown their 1985 versions, a fresh voice ensemble takes the reins. Here’s who’s who:
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport voices Max, Luca Diaz voices Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams voices Lucas, Braxton Quinney voices Dustin, Ben Plessala voices Will, and Brett Gipson voices Hopper.
Broadway star Jeremy Jordan steps in as Steve Harrington. New additions include Odessa A’zion as punk tinkerer Nikki Baxter, Janeane Garofalo as Nikki’s mum and Hawkins teacher Anna Baxter, and Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer.
The biggest surprise? Robert Englund — the horror legend who previously played Victor Creel in Season 4 — is returning to the Stranger Things universe, voicing a new character named Cosmo. Horror fans, rejoice.
Can You Watch It Early?
US fans can catch the first two episodes in theaters ahead of the April 23 Netflix premiere, though tickets are increasingly difficult to find as showings have mostly sold out in key markets. whats-on-netflix
For those of us outside the US, the global Netflix drop on April 23, 2026 is the date to circle. With 10 half-hour episodes, that’s roughly five hours of brand-new Stranger Things content in one go.
If you’re a fan of the franchise, also check out our coverage of the biggest Netflix shows dropping in 2026 on Technosports and don’t miss our latest OTT and streaming news for more updates.
