Netflix has released the official teaser for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the upcoming animated spinoff series set in the Stranger Things universe. The teaser reveals a release date of April 23, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. The animated series will transport viewers back to Hawkins during the winter of 1985, between the events of Seasons 2 and 3, as the original characters face new paranormal threats. The teaser showcases mysterious new creatures emerging from the Upside Down, alongside the announcement that Jeremy Jordan will voice Steve Harrington in the series. The project comes from Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer alongside showrunner Eric Robles, promising an epic adventure that captures the magic of 1985 Hawkins in animation.

Teaser Reveals and Key DetailsThe official teaser for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 has unveiled exciting details about the upcoming animated series. The brief preview showcases the mysterious creatures and paranormal elements threatening Hawkins, with Dustin’s ominous warning: “Something from the Upside Down must have survived last year.”

The teaser reveals a blend of familiar and entirely new threats. Showrunner Eric Robles describes the creatures as hybrid entities created from “Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter,” presenting a unique threat that combines laboratory-created organisms with interdimensional phenomena.

Release Information and Platform

Detail	Information
Premiere Date	April 23, 2026
Platform	Netflix (exclusive)
Series Type	Animated
Setting	Hawkins, Winter 1985
Timeline Position	Between Seasons 2 & 3
Showrunner	Eric Robles
Creators	Matt & Ross Duffer

The series will premiere exclusively on Netflix on April 23, 2026. The timing places the story between the events of Stranger Things Season 2 and Season 3, allowing the original characters to experience adventures that were never previously mentioned in the main series timeline.

Voice Cast Announcement

The teaser confirmed several key voice actors for the animated series. Jeremy Jordan, known for Supergirl and Newsies, will voice Steve Harrington in his first appearance in the series. The original child characters will return with new voice performers reflecting their animated portrayals.

Character	Voice Actor
Eleven	Brooklyn Davey Norstedt
Mike	Luca Diaz
Will	Benjamin Plessala
Dustin	Braxton Quinney
Lucas	Elisha “EJ” Williams
Max	Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
Steve Harrington	Jeremy Jordan
Hopper	Brett Gipson

The cast also includes Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips in supporting roles, strengthening the connection to the original series while introducing new talent to voice animated versions of beloved characters.

Plot and Storyline

The series synopsis reveals that the young heroes have settled into a normal life of Dungeons & Dragons, snowball fights, and peaceful winter days. However, beneath the snow-covered streets of Hawkins, a mysterious threat awakens. The protagonists must race to uncover its source and save their town once more.

The exact nature of the threat remains mysterious in the teaser, with questions raised about whether it originates from the Upside Down, Hawkins Laboratory, or somewhere entirely unknown. Robles teases that “nothing is quite as they thought it was,” suggesting plot twists and surprises throughout the series.

Creative Team and Production

The project brings together the creative talents of Stranger Things’ original creators Matt and Ross Duffer as executive producers. Showrunner Eric Robles, previously known for work on Glitch Techs and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, leads the creative direction.

Executive producers include Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen from 21 Laps Entertainment, along with Hilary Leavitt of Upside Down Pictures. The animation production company Flying Bark Productions handles the visual execution of this ambitious animated venture.

Animation and Visual Style

Robles emphasizes that animation allows unlimited creative freedom, enabling the team to capture “the magic of Hawkins in a new way.” The Duffers note that with animation, “there’s really no limits,” and the creative team has utilized this freedom extensively.

The series aims to balance a family-friendly aesthetic with genuine danger and stakes. Robles states: “We want the audience to feel that these kids are in danger, the stakes are real, and bad things can happen to anyone.” This approach promises darker, more serious moments alongside the nostalgic 1985 setting.

New Characters and Creatures

The teaser hints at entirely new elements within the Stranger Things universe. A new character, Nikki Baxter, is described as a fellow adventurer who joins the group.

Early descriptions mention unique threats including Upside Down pumpkin-zombies and vine-like monsters not previously encountered in the main series.

FAQs

When will Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 premiere?

The animated series will premiere on April 23, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. The release date was announced in the official teaser.

What is the timeline setting for Tales From ’85?

The series is set during the winter of 1985 in Hawkins, positioned between the events of Stranger Things Seasons 2 and 3, allowing for new untold adventures with the original characters.

Will original cast members voice the characters?

No, the animated series features a new voice cast. Jeremy Jordan voices Steve Harrington, with Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voicing Eleven and other actors performing the remaining original characters in their animated forms.

What new creatures appear in the series?

The teaser reveals new hybrid creatures created from the combination of Hawkins Lab science and Upside Down matter. Early descriptions mention pumpkin-zombies and vine-like monsters not previously seen in the main series.

Who created Stranger Things: Tales From ’85?

The series comes from showrunner Eric Robles alongside Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer. It is executive produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, and Hilary Leavitt, with animation by Flying Bark Productions.