The fifth and final season of Stranger Things ended on December 31, and the reaction was far from unanimous. While some viewers celebrated the conclusion of a nine-year saga, others criticized the finale’s pacing and unanswered questions, sparking online petitions and wild fan theories — from extended cuts to the viral “Conformity Gate” rumor.
With audiences divided, it’s clear the Duffer brothers and Netflix are already thinking ahead.
One way they’re doing so is with Tales From ’85, a 3D animated spinoff premiering on April 23, which reintroduces fans to Hawkins’ favorite kids in a new visual style and with a completely new voice cast. The show promises new adventures for Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Will, and the rest of the gang while staying true to the tone of the original series. Watch the official trailer below:
Even bigger news comes from the stage. Per Collider, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel set in 1959, is being filmed for Netflix. The West End/Broadway stage production explores younger versions of Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and Henry Creel before he becomes Vecna.
Original cast members, including Tony nominee Louis McCartney as Creel, were filmed for the streaming adaptation before leaving the production at the end of March.
While The First Shadow is supplementary to the main series, it retains canonical connections and is meant to enrich the Stranger Things universe.
Alongside the animated spinoff and continued presence in comics, novels, and gaming — including Dead by Daylight x Stranger Things Chapter 2 — Netflix is clearly trying to sustain fan engagement beyond the original live-action saga.
Fans may have been mixed on the finale, but these upcoming projects suggest that Hawkins still has more secrets to uncover. The franchise is proving that even after the end of the main series, the upside-down world isn’t ready to let go.
Public performances of The First Shadow resumed on Sunday, February 15.
Tales From ’85 premieres on April 23. Stranger Things seasons 1 — 5 are now streaming on Netflix.
Have you seen The First Shadow? Let us know in the comments!
