Netflix has released the teaser for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated spin-off set in winter 1985 with familiar characters facing new threats. The series premieres on April 23, 2026.
Netflix has dropped the first teaser for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated spin-off of the hit sci-fi series that will expand the beloved universe in a fresh format. The new trailer teases a blend of nostalgia and mystery as familiar faces return in animated form to Hawkins, Indiana and confront a chilling new threat lurking beneath the snow-covered town.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85: Release date and premise
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is set to premiere globally on Netflix on April 23, 2026. The animated series takes place in the winter of 1985, situated in the timeline between Season 2 and Season 3 of the original live-action show. Viewers will see Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max navigating what appears to be a quiet period following the Mind Flayer events, only to discover that something ominous may have survived beneath Hawkins’ icy surface.
The teaser opens on a suspenseful note as the gang settles into seemingly normal routines, Dungeons & Dragons sessions and snowball fights, before supernatural danger begins to surface once again. The narrative promises new mysteries and creatures that tie back to the paranormal elements fans associate with the franchise.
Voice cast and production
While the original Stranger Things actors do not return for the animation, a new voice cast brings the core characters to life. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, Luca Diaz is Mike Wheeler, Braxton Quinney voices Dustin, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport plays Max, Elisha “EJ” Williams is Lucas and Benjamin Plessala voices Will. Brett Gipson lends his voice to Jim Hopper, with additional performances from Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips.
The series is produced by Flying Bark Productions, with Eric Robles serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside original creators Matt and Ross Duffer, and collaborators including Shawn Levy. The animation is designed to evoke a nostalgic 1980s feel while pushing the story forward in ways the live-action format could not.
What fans can expect
The teaser underscores a mix of classic Stranger Things charm and fresh storytelling. As Hawkins settles into its snowy lull, deeper supernatural forces are hinted at once more, promising both mystery and adventure for audiences old and new. With animation unlocking broader creative possibilities, Tales From ’85 could offer some of the franchise’s most imaginative paranormal encounters yet.
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