Fans have been clamoring for more Stranger Things adventures, and Netflix is delivering with a brand-new spin-off. Tales of ’85 transports viewers back to Hawkins—this time in 3D animation and dusted with winter snow.
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Stranger Things in the Night
Last summer at a fan screening, I caught myself staring at the Hawkins arcade set and longing for more adventures—as it turns out, Netflix heard us loud and clear. Enter Stranger Things: Tales of ’85, a brand-new spin-off set between seasons 2 and 3, debuting next year¹. While the Duffer Brothers remain executive producers, the series is in the capable hands of Eric Robles, known for animated hits like Glitch Techs and Fanboy & Chum Chum. Netflix unveiled a teaser at the Annecy Animation Festival, revealing a 3D-animated Hawkins dusted with winter snow, complete with the Byers’ home, the secret lab, and that buzzing arcade.
Familiar faces—Mike Wheeler, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, and Chief Hopper—return to confront fresh paranormal threats alongside newcomer Nikki Barber, whose mysterious ties to the Upside Down may shake things up². Although no voice cast has been announced, the trailer’s cinematic sheen suggests Robles opted for a more dramatic style over Saturday-morning-cartoon tropes.
An Atmosphere Rooted in 80s Classics
In shaping Tales of ’85’s tone, Robles and the Duffer team looked to The Real Ghostbusters and classic ’80s blockbusters like E.T. and Transformers for inspiration. That blend of spooky suspense and heartfelt nostalgia helped keep Ghostbusters on air for seven seasons, hinting at Netflix’s ambitions for a long-running series. Early press notes describe a show aimed at younger viewers but still laced with the darker, unsettling moments that define Stranger Things. With its new monsters and fog-shrouded streets, Tales of ’85 promises to expand the mythos of Hawkins while delivering the same nostalgic thrills that made the original series a pop-culture phenomenon.
Footnotes
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Netflix Media Center, “Stranger Things: Tales of ’85 Official Teaser”; https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/stranger-things-tales-of-85-teaser
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The Economic Times, “Netflix Sets ‘Stranger Things’ Animated Spin-Off ‘Tales of ’85’ From Eric Robles”; https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/netflixs-stranger-things-tales-from-85-coming-soon-heres-what-we-know/articleshow/121836774.cms?from=mdr
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Netflix, “Netflix Debuts First Look at ‘Stranger Things: Tales of ’85’ at Annecy Festival”; https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-gets-animated-at-annecy