Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has become a cultural touchstone, spawning sequels, comics, and merchandise that expanded the series beyond Hawkins. But the conclusion of Season 5 left the fanbase divided.
The final episode, “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up,” sparked petitions demanding a redo, while a viral fan theory dubbed “Conformity Gate” claimed the ending was fake. Behind the scenes, a Netflix documentary revealed that the Duffer brothers began shooting the season without a completed script for the finale.
Despite the backlash, the franchise isn’t finished. A live-action spinoff is in development, and Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is set to bring Hawkins’ supernatural adventures to screens in a brand-new format.
Positioned between seasons 2 and 3, the animated series will feature familiar faces—Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Max—and introduce a new character named Nikki Baxter as they confront a paranormal mystery and new threats from the Upside Down.
Related: ‘Stranger Things’ Main Cast Will Return in More Episodes Later This Year | Disney Dining
The series features an entirely new voice cast that includes Brett Gipson (Jim Hopper), Luca Diaz (Mike Wheeler), Brooklyn Davey Norstedt (Eleven), Braxton Quinney (Dustin Henderson), Elisha Williams (Lucas Sinclair), Ben Plessala (Will Byers), Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Max Mayfield), and Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips in undisclosed roles.
Inspired by ‘80s Saturday morning cartoons, the creative team cites The Real Ghostbusters as its “north star”, promising a nostalgic tone while introducing original creatures and scenarios. Showrunner Eric Robles tells fans in the official announcement trailer, “So get your flashlight, get your backpack, because it’s going to be amazing.”
Now, fans finally have their first proper look at the series in the first official trailer, following teaser posters that depicted Eleven holding off an Upside Down creature in a snowy Hawkins landscape. Watch it below:
The series promises to explore new corners of Hawkins while staying rooted in the supernatural tone that made Stranger Things a phenomenon.
While some viewers worry about canon inconsistencies, Robles’ nod to The Real Ghostbusters suggests the show will indeed take creative liberties in service of adventure.
As revealed in the new trailer alone, the gate to the Upside Down was indeed closed at the end of Season 2 — its monsters are seemingly by-products of the shadow dimension; mutations created by residual matter.
ʍoɹɹoɯoʇ ɹǝsɐǝʇ pic.twitter.com/pBhgKtQp3T
— stranger things (@Stranger_Things) February 1, 2026
Tales From ’85 premieres on Netflix on April 23.
Stranger Things seasons 1 — 5 are now streaming on Netflix.
Are you excited about Tales From ’85? What do you think of the new trailer? Let us know in the comments!
