New ‘Stranger Things’ Project Sets Theatrical Release, Reveals Cast and Trailer
When Stranger Things premiered in 2016, it quickly became Netflix’s defining original series, blending 1980s nostalgia with supernatural horror and turning its young cast into global stars. Across five seasons — concluding with Season 5 (2025) — the show expanded from a small-town mystery into a sprawling fantasy saga involving parallel dimensions, government conspiracies, and apocalyptic stakes.
Even after its finale, the franchise has continued to grow. From new tie-in games to the stage production Stranger Things: The First Shadow being filmed for the streamer, Netflix continues to build a wider universe around Hawkins and the Upside Down.
A Divisive Ending and Ongoing Debate
However, the final chapter of Stranger Things Season 5 sparked intense discussion among fans. “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up” led to online theories suggesting additional episodes were being withheld, while petitions calling for an extended version gained traction.
Although a behind-the-scenes documentary — One Last Adventure (2025) — confirmed that extensive footage had been filmed, Netflix has not announced any alternate cuts of the season.
Expanding the Stranger Things Universe
Rather than closing the door, Netflix has continued to invest in new projects. In addition to the upcoming Netflix recording of The First Shadow, there are two spinoffs in development, including a live-action series loosely connected to Season 5.
The other is Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, a 3D animated series set between Season 2 (2017) and Season 3 (2019), focusing on Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max.
“In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading,” the official synopsis reads. “But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened… Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins.”
Watch the trailer below:
Related: ‘Stranger Things’ “Lost Season” Confirmed for Netflix, Will “Fix” Finale | Disney Dining
A Shift to Theatrical Release
Now, it has been confirmed that Netflix will release the first two episodes of Tales From ’85 in theaters on April 18, ahead of its global streaming debut on April 23.
As reported by Variety, “The screenings, in partnership with AMC Theatres, will take place in 34 theaters across the U.S. at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. local time,” with additional screenings in New York and Philadelphia. The outlet adds that “an exclusive collectible will be available to U.S. attendees while supplies last.”
This continues a growing trend for the franchise. The Season 5 premiere screened at the TCL Chinese Theatre in November 2025, while the finale was released simultaneously in theaters and on Netflix across more than 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Stranger Things Has a New Cast, but Familiar Faces
The animated series introduces a new voice cast, with Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington, Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield.
Other cast members include Luca Diaz (Mike Wheeler), Elisha “EJ” Williams (Lucas Sinclair), and Braxton Quinney (Dustin Henderson).
What Comes Next
While some fans have questioned how Tales From ’85 fits within established continuity, the project underscores Netflix’s long-term approach to the franchise.
Nearly a decade after its debut, Stranger Things is no longer confined to a single format or platform. With theatrical releases now part of its rollout strategy, the series has entered a new phase — one that extends well beyond Hawkins and the streaming model that first made it a success.
Will you be watching Tales From ’85 in theaters? Let us know in the comments!
