Hawkins isn’t done with us just yet.
Even though Stranger Things officially wrapped up its story with Season 5, Netflix is keeping the Upside Down alive with a brand-new animated chapter. The streamer has now unveiled the first trailer and release date for its upcoming spinoff, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, confirming that fans will be heading back to Hawkins this spring.
The animated series premieres April 23, marking the franchise’s first-ever move into animation — and proving that the Stranger Things universe still has plenty of stories left to tell.
Back to Hawkins, Winter 1985
Tales From ’85 is set during the snowy winter between Season 2 and Season 3, a period fans never fully explored in the live-action series. At first glance, things feel calm. School’s out, snowball fights are in full swing, and the kids are deep into their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.
But, as always in Hawkins, peace doesn’t last.
A mysterious new threat begins stirring beneath the snow-covered town, forcing Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max to team up once again — this time in animated form — to uncover what’s waking up below and stop disaster before it spreads.
New Voices, Familiar Faces
One of the biggest surprises is the voice casting. Broadway and screen star Jeremy Jordan steps into the role of Steve Harrington, bringing a fresh take on one of the show’s most beloved characters.
The main voice cast includes:
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Luca Diaz as Mike
- Benjamin Plessala as Will
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin
- Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
- Brett Gipson as Hopper
The supporting lineup adds even more weight, with Janeane Garofalo, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Odessa A’zion joining the ensemble.
Animation duties are handled by Flying Bark Productions, known for its dynamic and expressive visual style — a strong fit for the supernatural chaos of Hawkins.
The Duffers Are Still Watching Over Hawkins
Fans worried about this being a detached side project can relax. The animated spinoff is executive produced by Duffer Brothers alongside showrunner Eric Robles. Shawn Levy also returns as an executive producer through 21 Laps, ensuring the tone stays true to the original series.
In short: this isn’t a cash-grab add-on — it’s a carefully placed extension of the Stranger Things timeline.
Why ‘Tales From ’85’ Matters
By choosing animation, Netflix gives the franchise freedom it never had before:
- Bigger monsters
- Stranger worlds
- Riskier storytelling without live-action limits
It also lets fans revisit the core group without reopening the ending of Season 5, preserving the emotional closure while still expanding the lore.
Final Words
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 feels less like a spin-off and more like a hidden chapter fans never knew they needed. With a familiar setting, a fresh format, and the Duffer Brothers still at the helm, the animated series looks set to keep Hawkins — and the Upside Down — firmly alive.
The gates reopen April 23. And if Stranger Things has taught us anything, it’s this: when Hawkins goes quiet, that’s when you should worry the most.
