Netflix’s Stranger Things universe isn’t over yet. Following the success of the final season, which returned to Netflix in late 2025 and concluded on New Year’s Eve, the series is expanding in an exciting new direction. Netflix has announced Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, an animated series set in Hawkins during the winter of 1985. The series will stream on Netflix in 2026 and take place between seasons 2 and 3.
Fans will see the main group of Hawkins children in animated form as they encounter new monsters and uncover a fresh paranormal mystery. Netflix has shared a first-look image, a teaser, and the full voice cast for the series.
Brooklyn Davi Norstad will voice Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luka Diaz as Mike, Elisha ‘EJ’ Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plesola as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Additional voice talent includes Odessa Azien, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Eric Robles serves as showrunner and executive producer, while the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, executive produce through Upside Down Pictures. He is joined by Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen for 21 laps. The animation work is being developed by Flying Bark Productions.
The Duffer Brothers explained in the Netflix feature that an animated series was one of their early ideas to expand the Stranger Things universe. Matt Duffer said, “When we started talking about whether we wanted to do something else with Stranger Things, that was one of our first ideas.” Ross Duffer said, “There really are no limits with animation. Eric and his team can just go wild, and they did that.”
The series promises to keep Hawkins alive even after the live-action finale. Combining the limitless possibilities of animation and the nostalgia of 1980s cartoons, the show offers fans a new way to experience the supernatural world they love.
By moving further into animation, Netflix is opening a new chapter for the franchise, attracting both old fans and new viewers. With executive producers like the Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy, the series is set to maintain the high standards and unique storytelling that Stranger Things is known for.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will stream exclusively on Netflix in 2026, giving fans a chance to dive into Hawkins in a way they’ve never seen before.
Also read: Stranger Things 5 Episodes 1-4 Review: Millie Bobby Brown Turns It Up to Eleven and the Core Group’s Final Battle with Vecna Begins
