Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated prequel set between Seasons 2 and 3 that expands the Hawkins story with new characters and supernatural mysteries, signalling continued life for the franchise after Season 5.
Netflix has officially rolled out the announcement for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, a new animated prequel series that expands the universe of the hit sci-fi horror drama. The show is set to dive deeper into the supernatural events of Hawkins and explore untold stories from the winter of 1985, bridging the gap between Season 2 and Season 3 of the original series.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 announcement out
The recently released trailer brings viewers back to Hawkins in its snowy 1985 setting, where familiar faces are animated in a fresh visual style. With echoes of classic 1980s cartoons and supernatural chills, the teaser highlights the return of characters such as Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max, all facing new paranormal mysteries and creatures unleashed in their town.
Although the voice cast differs from the live-action series, the trailer sets a nostalgic yet eerie tone that fans of the original show will recognise.
Story and new character introduction
According to announcements and reports, Tales From ’85 centres on an unexplored chapter in the Hawkins timeline, delving into supernatural threats that predate events in later seasons. The prequel introduces a new character named Nikki Baxter, described as a “tinkerer” whose presence adds fresh narrative intrigue and expands the show’s mythos beyond what viewers previously knew.
While the series honours the original characters and setting, its focus on new mysteries and threats suggests a broader look at Hawkins’ paranormal history.
Timing within the Stranger Things universe
Unlike the recently concluded Season 5 of the live-action series, Tales From ’85 does not unfold chronologically after that finale. Instead, it revisits an earlier time period, specifically the winter of 1985, slotting between two key points in the original narrative. This positioning allows the animated prequel to explore character developments and supernatural phenomena that were not shown on screen in the main series.
Animation and creative approach
The show’s creators have leaned into an animated format that blends nostalgic 1980s aesthetics with more expansive supernatural storytelling. Early descriptions of the series indicate that this approach allows for imaginative visuals and creature designs that would be more challenging in live action, effectively broadening the scope of the
_Stranger Things_ world.
Voice actors for the animated characters are new to the franchise, but the series retains the core emotional and character-driven tone that made the original show a global hit.
Does this rewrite Stranger Things’ lore?
Some reports suggest that the Tales From ’85 prequel could reshape aspects of Stranger Things’ established canon by filling in gaps and adding new narrative elements, particularly with the introduction of Nikki Baxter and expanded supernatural threads.
However, this does not imply that Netflix or the creators are rewriting the
events or ending of Season 5 itself. The animated prequel serves more as an extension of the universe rather than a
retelling of the flagship series’ conclusion, allowing both longtime fans and new viewers to engage with Hawkins from a fresh perspective.
With the animated trailer now out and anticipation building, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is poised to debut on Netflix in 2026, bringing a mix of familiar faces and new stories to the streaming platform. While exact release dates and episode details are yet to be confirmed, the series represents Netflix’s continued investment in the Stranger Things universe beyond the live-action saga.
For fans grieving the end of the main show, Tales From ’85 offers a chance to return to Hawkins once more, this time through animation, fresh mysteries and new ways to experience the upside-down world of the 1980s.
End of Article
