- Animated spin-off set in the winter of 1985, between seasons 2 and 3.
- New voice cast: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, EJ Williams, Braxton Quinney, Ben Plessala and Brett Gipson.
- Eric Robles at the helm; the Duffer brothers produce alongside 21 Laps and Upside Down Pictures; animation by Flying Bark.
- Scheduled to premiere in 2026 on Netflix, also in Spain and Europe; teaser with an 80s cartoon aesthetic.
The Hawkins franchise gives the leap into animation with Stranger Things: Tales of '85A new series that expands the universe created by Matt and Ross Duffer. In this project, The story moves to the winter of 1985 and is set between the events of the second and third seasons..
Netflix has shared a First teaser and several images that confirm the eighties approach’s most emblematic landmarks, the Supernatural mystery and the return of the protagonists in animated formThe production promises a balance between adventure, horror and nostalgiaTaking advantage of the creative freedom that the format allows, similar to projects of adult animation.
What does the animated spin-off propose?
Stories from '85 It will follow Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Will in an investigation that once again puts Hawkins on the ropes.The synopsis suggests New threats and a paranormal enigma that It will connect with the mythology of the Upside Downbut with set pieces impossible to film in live action.
The Duffer brothers explain that they wanted “to evoke the feeling of cartoons from the 80s”, an idea they had been considering for some time to expand the saga. With animationthey emphasize, “There are no limits”Which It opens the door to unprecedented creatures on a larger scale..
Eric Robles, who is leading the project, anticipates that, although it will fit between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, “nothing is exactly what it seems”The showrunner suggests preparing a flashlight and backpack for a A different kind of adventure that retains the essence of Hawkins.
The announcement was framed within the Stranger Things Day (November 6th), a key date for fans of the series, and serves as a prelude to the final stretch of the main story.
For audiences in Spain and Europe, the series will arrive on Netflix's local catalog with its global launch, maintaining the service's usual availability in the region. The goal is keep mythology alive of the franchise beyond the conclusion of the main series.
Dates, territory and availability
Netflix places the premiere of Tales of 85 in 2026Although there is no specific date yet, the platform has confirmed that the launch will be global, so it will be available in Spain and the rest of Europe since his arrival in the service.
The temporal window of history allows familiar characters and events to be fitted with a room to incorporate new elements without interfering with the arcs of the main seriesThe project was conceived as the first major animated television expansion of the Stranger Things universe.
Meanwhile, season 5 of Stranger Things is being released in several volumes between late November and late December, with a a conclusion that Netflix will also bring to movie theaters in North AmericaThe company has not yet detailed plans for screenings in European cinemas.
Beyond the calendar, the spin-off It is positioned as a complement for those who want to delve deeper into the period immediately preceding the events at the Starcourt Mall., with unpublished stories that expand the lore from the Upside Down.
Voice cast confirmed
The voice cast is entirely new in the original version, so the live-action actors are not involved in this production. Netflix has announced a cast that maintains the characters' identities and is betting on emerging talent in dubbing.
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
- Luca Diaz as Mike.
- Ej (Elisha) Williams as Lucas.
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin.
- Ben Plessala as Will.
- Brett Gipson as Hopper.
Complete the additional vocal cast with Odessa A'zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillipswho will bring new characters to life. Among the new additions are Nikki Barber, a girl with a strong character and eighties aesthetic who will add a new dynamic to the group.
Creative team and animation studio
Eric Robles (Fanboy & Chum Chum) serves as showrunner and director, with the duffer brothers as executive producers through Upside Down Pictures. They are joined by Hilary Leavitt, Shawn Levy, and Dan Cohen, from 21 Laps Entertainment, a regular on the franchise.
The animation is by Flying Bark Productions, a specialized studio that brings a visual style with nods to the 80s and a technical execution designed to enhance the action and the supernatural component.
The team insists that the format will allow them to bring to the screen concepts that in live-action would be costly or unfeasible, while maintaining the DNA of Hawkins and the thriller atmosphere of the parent series.
Relationship to the main series
Set between seasons 2 and 3, Tales of '85 It functions as a bridging piece: it closes temporal gaps, expands motivations, and presents dangers that enrich the canon. without altering the milestones of the original story.
For fans who are following the fifth and final season, This spin-off offers additional context and plays with recognizable references., while introducing creatures and settings that fit with the Upside Down cosmology.
What the teaser reveals: tone and style
The trailer presented by Netflix showcases designs and scenes that embrace the aesthetic of eighties cartoon, with colors, transitions and staging inspired by television of the analog era.
The team's comments They emphasize that humor, adventure, and scares coexist with a layer of youthful melancholy.while animation opens the door to monsters and set pieces much more ambitious, faithful to the imagery of the saga.
With the machinery already in motion and a defined vocal cast, Tales of '85 is shaping up to be a natural expansion of Stranger Things that respect the tone of the series and explores paths previously untrodden, pending confirmation of its arrival date in the catalog.
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