Stranger Things: Tales from '85
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is an upcoming animated spin-off series set to premiere on Netflix on April 23, 2026. The show takes place in the winter of 1985, chronologically situated between the second and third seasons of the original live-action Stranger Things. It reunites beloved characters such as Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max, who confront new monsters from the Upside Down and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town. The series also introduces new characters, including Nikki Baxter, a tinker who joins the Hawkins kids. Described with a "kid-friendly, upscale, Saturday-morning cartoon aesthetic," the show aims to offer a nostalgic and less intense return to the Stranger Things universe, making it suitable for a broader audience while still retaining elements of the supernatural and danger.
Things to Consider
Additional Context
Best For Ages
TV-PG. The series is described as "mostly suitable for kids" and leaning into a "kid-friendly, upscale, Saturday-morning cartoon aesthetic." While it retains supernatural and potentially intense elements from the Stranger Things universe, its animated format and stated intention for a younger audience suggest appropriateness for ages 8 and up.
Good to Know
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is an animated spin-off intended to capture the feel of an '80s Saturday-morning cartoon, setting it apart in tone and intensity from the live-action series. It is positioned as an "entry-level" version of Stranger Things, aiming to be suitable for younger viewers. Despite this, it retains the core themes of battling supernatural threats from the Upside Down. While designed to fit between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series, showrunner Eric Robles stated that the Duffer Brothers advised him 'not to interfere with the main canon show,' suggesting its canonical impact might be limited or flexible.
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