Stranger Things: Tales from '85 — release date, trailer, cast, plot, and everything we know about the Netflix spin-off

If you're already missing Stranger Things season 5, you're in luck, because Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is bringing more of Hawkins into your life. The Netflix spin-off is an animated series that aims to have the feel of a classic 80s Saturday morning cartoon.

Timeline-wise, Stranger Things: Tales from '85 will slot between the events of the second and third seasons, focusing on the same characters we know and love. The key difference is that there's an all-new voice cast, meaning the Stranger Things original cast will not be reprising their roles.

Here's everything you need to know about the next chapter of Stranger Things.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 release date

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 will premiere on Netflix on April 23, 2026. Currently, it hasn't been confirmed how many episodes there will be.

While you wait for the spin-off, all five seasons of Stranger Things are available in full on Netflix. It might be worth checking out seasons 2 and 3 again to refresh your memory of what happens.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 trailer

Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 | Official Teaser | Netflix - YouTube

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Currently, we only have one teaser trailer for Stranger Things: Tales from '85, which was released on February 2, 2026. It gives us a taste of what to expect, and there's plenty of familiarity for long-time fans to enjoy.

You'll see Hopper being protective of Eleven, the gang riding their bikes, and plenty of locations that have been adapted for this new, exciting animated version of Hawkins. Crucially, it also teases that something survived in 1985. But what, exactly?

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 confirmed cast

As mentioned above, the original Stranger Things cast is not reprising their roles, so we've got an all-new cast voicing some fan favorites. Here is the confirmed cast for Stranger Things: Tales from '85.

• Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper
• Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
• Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven / Jane Hopper
• Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
• Elisha Williams as Lucas Sinclair
• Ben Plessala as Will Byers
• Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
• Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington

Additionally, Odessa A'zion, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Janeane Garofalo have been also been cast, but we don't know who they're playing yet. This news was confirmed by Deadline.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 story speculation

Not much is known about the plot yet, just that it will be a spin-off set in the middle of the Stranger Things universe.

According to Tudum, "the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town", but it looks like we'll have to be patient to find out what exactly this means. Nevertheless, we can expect more adventures in Hawkins as The Party comes face to face with more horrors from the Upside Down.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is said to be more accessible than the main series, due to the fact that it's more family-friendly. Netflix previously described the series as "entry-level Stranger Things", so we can expect it to dial down on the horror considerably, while still keeping that beloved '80s mystery vibe.

Will there be more Stranger Things?

We don't know if there'll be more Stranger Things: Tales from '85, but there is some exciting news from elsewhere in the Stranger Things universe.

According to reports from West End Theatre, the stage show Stranger Things: The First Shadow is being filmed for Netflix, giving fans some background on Henry Creel's life before he became Vecna. So if you haven't had a chance to see the play yet, you will be able to when it arrives on one of the best streaming services.