(Credits: Netflix)

If you are thinking that after the release of the season finale, Stranger Things is done, then you are about to be proven wrong. Just when we were trying to prepare ourselves for the final season, Netflix dropped Tales From ’85: an animated spin-off set right in the middle of Hawkins’ weirdest years.

The Duffers have officially found a way to keep us from emotionally moving on, and honestly, you can’t even be mad. Who does not want to see more content in a different format about one of the biggest shows on Netflix?

That’s right, by a different format, we mean that Stranger Things is going animated and not in a small way. Tales From ’85 is set between seasons two and three, which means we are getting the classic crew back during their awkward and traumatised teenage phase. But what’s new is the freedom that comes with it. With animation comes no limits, no CGI constraints, but pure imaginative content. The Duffer brothers called it a story where “Eric Robles and his team can go wild,” and that’s exactly what it looks like.

The animation captures Hawkins in a completely different light. In Tales From ’85, Hawkins is going to be more surreal and colourful, while still carrying that eerie stillness that has always made it so special. And please don’t confuse it with a reboot; it’s an extension.

And if the Duffers are excited, we should be too. They said the scripts and artwork are “incredible”, which already sounds promising, and 2026 suddenly doesn’t feel that far away.

What is the plot?

The story drops us right into the winter of 1985, when Hawkins is covered in snow and the kids are older but not wiser. You can sense that something paranormal is brewing underneath it all. The logline says our favourite characters will “fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorising their town.” This is a clear translation of ‘new creatures, new threats, same poor life choices’.

But the best part? It’s not trying to rewrite what we know. It fits right in between the things that we missed between seasons two and three, filling in the spaces where the show only hinted at what happened. We will finally get to see what the gang was up to in that gap, like how the summer in the mall went and how the Russians set up such a big base beneath the mall. Who knows, we might get to see an animated Alexi. On one hand, we will see the fresh romance of Jonathan and Nancy, while on the other hand, we can see Steve’s introduction to Robin. Oh, and don’t forget Dustin and his summer camp with Suzie.

Who’s in the cast?

This time, there is going to be a voice casting since it is animated, and the makers have spared no expense in gathering the best ensemble. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt is voicing Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport plays Max, and Luca Diaz steps in as Mike. Elisha “EJ” Williams is voicing Lucas, Braxton Quinney is Dustin, and Ben Plessala is Will. Oh, and Hopper’s back too, with Brett Gipson.

And they didn’t stop there. Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips are joining the adventure, too. It’s a mix of fresh and familiar voices, and if the Duffers’ track record says anything, every single one of them is here for a reason.

Is there a trailer available?

Not yet, and yes, it’s annoying. What we do have is an announcement video that dropped on Stranger Things Day, and it’s something to get started with. The vibe is quite retro and scary, which means good. The animation style looks bold and not overly polished, keeping that ‘80s VHS tape energy on.

Ross Duffer called it “a chance to go wild,” and that’s exactly what it looks like. The teaser doesn’t give away much, but it doesn’t have to. The second you see that first frame, you just know this isn’t filler.

When does Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 release on Netflix?

Tales From ’85 is set to hit Netflix in 2026, which means we have got a bit of a wait, but that’s fine. Between the final season dropping soon and this spin-off in the works, Hawkins isn’t leaving our screens anytime soon. The Duffers are making sure of that.